A couple of years ago, I found out about Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp. A crunch, oil, and a little spiciness. I dubbed it ‘Love Sludge’ – it was so good that I evangelized it to all my friends. Since then, the enamor has most certainly worn off. I don’t know if they changed the recipe, but the last couple of times I’ve gotten some, it’s ended up in the bin, not completely used. Well, I thought a list of alternatives to Lao Gan Ma that are out there that not everyone’s heard of (nor I myself) would be neat. So, I started sending a few emails, asking for samples, and here’s The Ramen Rater’s Chili Crisp Roundup & Buyer’s Guide. I figure 14 varieties is more than enough to show a landscape of flavor and textures that are out in the wild – and I’m sure there are many more. With holidays coming up, if you’ve got a ramen junkie or chilehead to get something for, there’s a lot of different things here that will work that they might not have tried. These are in order of when I received/bought them. Each one has a link to where you can get them. If I end up with more, I will be happy to add them at the bottom. With that, let’s get oily!
Tag: sichuan pepper
#4949: Haichijia Instant Broad Noodles Sichuan Pepper Flavor – China
Time for another one of these HaiChiJia broad noodle bowls. The last one was extremely good. Hoping this one’s got a good balance – too strong of Sichuan peppercorn kind of puts me off. We shall see…
#4544: Kung Fu Noodles Premium Goose Oil With Sichuan Pepper & Hot Chili – Taiwan
A couple of years ago, I got some neat samples from Kung Food of Taiwan – they made the Taiwan top ten and were the #1 newcomer to the list that year. Today, I’m revisiting them, and they’ve got a particularly interesting sticker on their packs! I’m not sure who the other guy is on there, but that’s me on there as well – looks pretty cool! Anyways, this is really great stuff – let’s see if it’s changed.
#3857: Super God Co. Ltd. God Noodles Sichuan Spicy & Scallion Flavor – Taiwan
I got a phonecall the other day from a guy in Georgia. He said a family member in Taiwan had come up with a new noodle variety and that they were interested in me trying it. Well, a week later it arrived at my door en masse! I decided it would be great to give it a try and so here we are. Let’s give it a go!
#3777: Mom’s Dry Noodle Scallion & Sichuan Pepper – Taiwan
Here’s the last of the recent set of varieties sent by Mom’s Dry Noodle – thanks! Always enjoy trying new stuff from Taiwan. This one is made for a chain called PX Mart. Let’s check it out!
#3711: Single Grain Spicy Sichuan Pepper Instant Noodles – China
This one’s a bit of a toughie for me. I found it called LM Spicy Pepper Instant Noodle and thought that can’t be quite it. I also found something by searching the bar code having to do with this noodle and Sprite – like the soda. Maybe a package deal? I’m not sure. My thought is that this is actually a green sichuan pepper variety – I mean the lettering is green… I hope not since I abhor green Sichian pepper. But we shall see. Instructions look to b pretty straightforward at least.
#3542: Boys & Girls Steam Noodle Spicy Beef Flavor – China
Here’s the second of the Boys & Girls varieties I’ve found up in Canada. The first was a tomato and egg one which was truly excellent. Let’s see is a spicy beef will follow suit.
#3160: Mazendo Noodles With Chili Mala Sauce – Taiwan
This one arrived yesterday and I decided hey – how about a mukbang. So since they sent two four packs I went ahead and did one. Timing just worked well – crack it open after the unboxing video and give it a try – why not? I’ve been battling a cold that’s been going around – my son had it then gave it to me and my daughter – only ne left is my wife and I hope she doesn’t end up with it… But some spicy noodles fit the bill yesterday. Let’s check ’em out!
Meet The Manufacturer: #2886: Three Meters Noodles Spicy Taste
It seems like every dry noodle company has a spicy one. Usually these are Sichuan peppercorn-infused, logical and tasty. Let’s have a look in this brown bag and see what is within!
Meet The Manufacturer: #2866: Wu-Mu Man Dashi Noodle Master Sichuan Pepper Beef Flavored Soup Ramen
After a long time, it’s finally happened. I’ve thought for ages that a product with these broad noodles and a soup would be really interesting! Here’s what they have to say about it –
Meet The Manufacturer: #2861: Wu-Mu Man Dashi Noodle Master Sichuan Pepper Dry Ramen
Here’s another one of the straight noodle varieties from Wu-Mu’s Man Dashi Noodle Master range. Here’s what they have to say about it –
#2726: Wei Lih Chinese Special Spicy Pork Noodle
Here’s another one I brought home from Taiwan in November 2017. Thanks again to friends on facebook for helping with the translation.
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition
It’s been quite a year of reviewing as far as Taiwan is concerned. I brought back a trove of varieties I’d never had the chance to try before. Really opened my eyes many varieties that people had recommended I try over the years. This is the top ten – the best Taiwanese varieties I’ve tried from the over 2,500+ reviews I’ve posted to date. As always, if I’ve not tried your noodles, please contact me! I’m interested! Let’s check it out!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Spiciest Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition
NOTE – THERE IS A NEW TOP TEN SPICY LIST FOR 2018 – HERE IT IS
It’s that time of year again! Actually, this is the first time the list is coming out in July although at the tail end of July. I usually have the lists come out on the Monday closest to the date it came out the prior year. So this list is a compilation of absolutely hottest and spiciest varieties I’ve had out of the 2,500+ varieties I’ve tried thus far. Something you think belongs on this spiciest of lists? Let me know – I’ll give it a try. Let’s get started!
#2508: Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun
SPECIAL STATEMENT AS OF 12/19/2017: It has come to my attention that many places/people are under the impression that this variety is considered to be ‘Samyang Foods 4x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun.’ This is definitely NOT the case. Original Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun is 4,404SHU, 2x Spicy is 8,706SHU. I have been informed by Samyang Foods that Samyang Foods Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun is 2,700SHU – which is far less spicy than the original Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun. Sellers claiming this product as Samyang Foods 4x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun – this is misleading and untrue. I’ve mentioned in the past that I would love to try a Samyang Foods 4x Spicy Buldak Bokkeummyun, however NO SUCH PRODUCT EXISTS at the time of this update. Please refer to The Ramen Rater’s Definitive Guide To Samyang Foods Buldak Bokkeummyun for more information.
GET AN ASSORTMENT OF THE SPICEST INSTANT NOODLES IN THE RAMEN RATER’S SPICY PACK FROM GOURMET RAMEN CLUB – CHECK IT OUT HERE!
Thanks go to Amelia from Samyang Foods in South Korea for sending these along! The Buldak Bokkeummyun line from them is a fiery range which starts with their hot chicken flavor of Fire Noodle Challenge fame. Here’s what they have to say about this one –
Samyang Foods Samples Including New Mala Buldak Bokkeummyun
So both the kids were interesting this box that came yesterday. Miri is just about to start crawling but Miles is running around like a beast these days! Let’s see what’s inside!
Meet The Manufacturer: #2477: Kiki Noodles Sichuan Spices Flavor Noodle
Kiki has two products – this one and a scallion oil variety. Sichuan spicy – that’s an interesting kind of peppery taste. Here’s a little about the pepper from Wikipedia –
Meet The Manufacturer: Re-Review: Mom’s Dry Noodle Sichuan Spicy Flavor
So I remember the first time I tried this one a couple years ago. Indeed, it is spicy! Sichuan pepper is a little different kind of spicy in contrast to a jalapeno or wasabi – here’s a little info about the Sichuan pepper from wikipedia:
Meet The Manufacturer: #1830: Zeng Noodles Sichuan Pepper Flavor
Today, we finish off this trifecta by Zeng Noodles with a straight Sichuan Pepper variety.
Here’s the back of the package (click image to enlarge). Looks to be meat free but check for yourself. To prepare, add noodle block to 800ml boiling water and cook for 5 1/2 minutes. Drain. Add in contents of sachets. Stir and enjoy!
Meet The Manufacturer: #1778: JML Spicy King Spicy Chicken Noodle
Today, we come to the end of this Meet The Manufacturer. On a side note, I reviewed one that has the exact same packaging that I received from a reader in Scandinavia a while back. I asked if it was the same as this and was told it is a little different. sometimes companies will change levels of different ingredients depending on where they’re sold. Anyways… Lots of interesting new things in this one – lots of great flavors as well! I want to thank Alvin Leung for all his help with making this happen! Let’s have a look at the package version of JML’s Spicy King Spicy Chicken!