
UPDATE – When I originally posted this, it was review #2023. I thought it a fitting throwback for today. Happy 4th of July – the 250th anniversary of the country, aka the semiquincentennial
Over 5,000 Instant Ramen Noodle Reviews Since 2002

UPDATE – When I originally posted this, it was review #2023. I thought it a fitting throwback for today. Happy 4th of July – the 250th anniversary of the country, aka the semiquincentennial

Well, another Monday and another strange week. My kids have the day off due to teacher grading day. So many days off – just had winter break, then MLK, now this one. It’s strange – we didn’t get that many, nor did we get short days on Wednesdays like they do every week. I think they get out for summer break late June – we got ouy mid June as far as I can remember. Anyways, today we’re doing another mukbang. Continuing the era of my son Miles wanting to do mukbang, I’m adding a little twist to the mix. I’ve been doing just plain varieties without any garnish. Today I’m adding chicken and scallion in there – oh wait am I out of scallion? Crap. Well, we’ll try it out. with just some chicken. I don’t think I can remember him eating actual meat – this should be interesting, so check out the mukbang below for the results. I’m expecting a look of disdain, but who knows; he might go for it. I’ve not had this in years – do you remember when the original and the cheese both had dark backgrounds? Anyways, let’s kick it into gear.

Here’s the counterpart of the creamy Saucy Noods. I’ve only seen it once and that was at a liquidation style place so unsure if it still exists, but the creamy one was quite good so hopefully this is good and it is still around.

This is a special one – my daughter Mimi joins me in the Instant Noodle Recipe Time at the bottom so don’t miss that. This is slime. When I was a kid, my mother would have given me hell for playing with something like this and asked me what was wrong with me. Nowadays, there are actually gourmet slime shops and you can lay out a hundred bucks on boutique slimes. What is wrong with our world and what is coming next? Anyways, let’;s proceed with caution as this is slime.

This is a very interesting one and I believe it to be its third iteration. Way back, this was garlic teriyaki and it was a splendid variant – one my wife loved and she’s not the biggest noodle human. Then they came out with a version with a huge drop in sodium – about 35000mg down to 700mg. Then we have this one in the ‘carton’ version. Well, let’s give it a try.

We have a heat wave here – like it’s going to hit 60 degrees in mid January heatwave – which says one thing to me: get ready for the opposite. Seems like that happens often. But today it’s a review – and then a mukbang. My ten year old son Miles has all of a sudden decided he wants to try Buldak. So, I’ll do the review today and then on the weekend we’ll do the mukbang. It should be noted that the sprinkles that are candy and star shaped make me immediately think of Samyang Popeye snack which also have star shaped sugary bits. This one is a sweet and spicy – let’s give it a go!

I’ve wanted to review this one for a long time and I found it at our local Grocery Outlet store. That’s a place that stuff could possibly be being discontinued. I’m kind of surprised but who knows if that’s the case – just glad I was able to find it! Well, let’s cook it up and I’ll give you my thoughts.

Here’s one from James of Lakeside, California – thanks! This looks kind of interesting – says there’s coconut in it. Lets try it!

So another ‘this isn’t ramen’ however it’s a special vitamin and caffeine supplement to put in your soupy ramen! You can get it at ramen-aid.com. I tried the other version and what I was looking for is whether it changed the flavor of the broth and found it didn’t, so let’s see if this one does.

This isn’t ramen. That being said, here’s one I found at Evergreen Asian Market in Everett, Washington. Found quite a few gems at this place so that was rad. Pandan is a kind of nutty flavor – one of my favorite things is this little bubble tea joint we like that has pendan waffles – they’re green and quite tasty. Also the place is stupid expensive, so it is an exceedingly rare happening for us to end up in there. Anyways, pandan is great stuff. Let’s check this little rice cup out.

Well, here we have the third and final variety from this range by Nissin USA and I am pretty sure it’s got the longest name of all. So far, I can give a qualified take it or leave it feel to these. They’re variations on a theme as they’re all beef and just have different flavors of the Bachan’s BBQ sauce. Well, let’s take it on a test drive and see how it goes.

This one looks interesting – never heard of this style before and I suspect iits a Filiino variant. Tamarrind and shriimp! Let’s give it a look.

I’ve been threatening this for awhile so I figure it’s time. You usually just crush it and sprinkle seasoning and shake it up. Not I think today – I’m going to make it as a dry noodle and boil it. This could destroy the known universe, but I have my doubts. It’ll ether work or it won’t. Let’ find out!

I remember when we’ve flown to Taiwan, when they ask what you want to eat, they’ll go up and down the aisles and say ‘pork porridge?’ I’ll admit, I usually got pork porridge. It was kinda funny. Anyways, found this one at Evergreen Asian Market in Everett, Washington. Let’s cook.

This one comes by way of James from Lakeside, CA. So it’s not ramen but I’m sure he found this right next to the ramen. Let’s try it!

Time for something spicy from South Korea for the US market. Definitely a clone but I must say I’ve been rather impressed with the Harim varieties I’ve tried recently. Found this at Boo Han Market on 99 in Edmonds. Let’s cook!

A few languages on this export version. I half expected this to have come from their Turkish factory. Despite the multiple languages (and use of the word flavor spelled flavour), this is for the US market as you can see the long distributor list with US telephone numbers. Let’s cook!

Here’s another found at Boo Han Market in Edmonds, Washington. I generally like rapokki but jjajang I’m honestly hit or miss with. Guess we’ll find out, eh?

Looked all over for these and finally found them. Now we will see how it goes.

Detail of the side panels (click to enlarge).Contains shrimp and beef. To prepare, fill to line with room temp water andmicrowave at 1000W for 2.5 minutes. Let stand 3 minutes. Finally, stir and enjoy!!

I’ve tried the local version from overseas previously, and here’s one version packaged for sale in the United States. I love tom yum and it so happens we have some shrimp – let’s get this one going!

Here’s a new Geki variety I found at Fred Meyer in Woodinville. What’s kinda funny is that I tried this flavor before, although it was from Indonesia! Let’s try the US version.

I’m really happy about finding this one at Boo Han Market in Edmonds, Washington! If you’ve not tried it, I highly recommend it – as long as the new packaging doesn’t mean new recipe at least. This came out quite a while back after a Korean comedian – Lee Kyung Kyu I believe – mentioned it. This is a jalapeno and chicken flavored broth variety. What’s interesting is that it does not have chicken in this one where it once did. It’s made in South Korea – so they would export US chicken to Korea, process it, then send it back in the product. Crazy, eh? Anyways, let’s cook it up!

Found this at Fred Meyer the other day (Kroger). It wasn’t in the Asian foods area, but with the domestic stuff which was interesting. I wasn’t a big fan of their initial variety (standard ultra spicy dry clone) but this has promise. Says it’s spicy too – let’s find out.

Found this one at Boo Han Market along with another one. Rapokki is a great thing I really enjoy – a pairing of tteokbokki (cylindrical rice cake) and ramyun (Korean instant noodle). That texture combo alongside a sweet and spicy sauce is really wonderful. Let’s try this variety.

Okay, this is a big deal I think. I know – it looks very generic; very plain. But this isn’t what Ii see. This is a product of Brazil. It’s a Kroger store brand. Who is making this for them? I’ve no idea. I look at the big players in the Brazilian instant noodle market and mainly see a lot of Nissin Miojo stuff. However, the noodle and sachet style doesn’t lean me in that direction. A six pack – and it’s cheap – I think it was $4 for 2 of these – so I got both this and the chicken yesterday. I’ve also noticed that on the directions, it’s referring this noodle as pasta. Pasta? Hmm.

This came by way of the creator of Slurp Now, Crunch Later – a blog dedicated to Korean food! Thanks again! I’ve seen this on Amazon and been fascinated. Let’s see what’s within!

Here’s another one from James – thanks! So, Smoko? Hmm – Gemini says…
‘A “Smoko character” is a character from Smoko, an LA-based company that sells cute and whimsical products, such as plush toys and office supplies. The name “Smoko” itself is Australian slang for a short break from work. The company’s characters are based on food, animals, and other adorable concepts, with popular characters including Tayto Potato, Pearl Boba, and Lil B Dumpling’

Okay what is this MEP thing all about? Gemini says “MEP is a new brand of instant ramen by Samyang Foods, standing for Maptaeng (매떵), which is a Korean term that combines “map-da” (spicy) and “taeng-ha-da” (firm, chewy texture).” Ah okay. – now it’s a little more logical, however I think it could have a little more accessible name… Anyways – garlic and clams. Let’s do this.

So this is an interesting deal here. I’ve had the Korean version of this before. It was noted that the Rose US version reminds me of Chick Fil A sauce while the Korean version was amazing. Hmm… I’m curious how this will be… Let’s dive in!

Here’s another from James of Lakeside, California – thanks! Macaroni… Soup? I think this is a Filipino one yet again. Thewse are interesting and so far not bad. Let’s cook it up!

Big thanks to Jame from Lakeside, California for sending this one! So this brand is interesting. Mainly in that they make as lot of Filipino varieties, however it says they’re product of the USA. Are they made here? I dunno I guess they must be? Pancit Canton usually is pretty darn good – let’s give it a try!

Tried this awhile back in the pack form. It was really quite decent – tasted like taco seasoning and sauce and noodle. It works. Let’s see how it is in this configuration.

Here’s the last of these sent by The Fat Hipster – thanks! So this is camping ramen. I must say the prior varieties were quite bland. I guess we will see on this one.

Found these at Saar’s Super Saver on Aurora neat Seattle. So it is just vexing me – those little words by the hammer kid – don’t boil it – smash it. I’ll follow the rules, but honestly, I have to try this as a dry noodle soon. Boil it, drain it, add seasoning, stir it up. I bet it’s good! I’ll get one next time at a store. I will reveal the upshot to you! For free! I am happy to! Anyways for now, let’s smash it.

Recently, I got an Instagram message from someone interested in this variety. Not to see what I thought of it, but asking if I had a recent scan of the packaging. They make rad little keychains for sale at events and Etsy soon, so I figured I haven’t done this newer packaging version, so why not? I’m in the mood I think, let’s give it a go.

Alright, so previously I reviewed the hot, so logically, we now have the mild. Well, as logically as pho from South Korea seems. The hot was a very worthy rice noodle. Let’s try the mild next.

I went out on a walk looking for noodles to review. I found this and another Ramen Bistro variety – been searching for them for over a month. Let’s give this one a try!

Here’s the second of three A-Sha sent – thanks again! This should be great – mala usually involves a spiciness from Sichuan pepper. Let’s give it a go.

Mariscos? Seafood! I’ve wanted to visit the Mexican coast and try all the seafood – I bet it’s really great. I’ve had a lot of seafood outside the US in Asia – and it was amazing. My guess is it’s the same in Mexico. Let’s give this a try!

Found these are Saar’s Super Saver on Aurora in Seattle. I haven’t reviewed these since their packaging change – it’s been years. Take the power back with a portable snack! Let’s give it a go.