TOP TEN INSTANT NOODLES 2011/2012

These are the top ten of the varieties I have reviewed thus far. It was originally released on Foodiggity.com on January 9th, 2012 as an exclusive guest post I did. Now, here it is on The Ramen Rater for your perusal with links to all of the corresponding reviews! Enjoy!

UPDATE: The 2013 list is available HERE.

Number 10 – Singapore – Koka Instant Non-Fried Noodles Spicy Black Pepper Flavour

This stuff is amazing; it contains a block of instant noodles that are exceedingly light and very low in fat. This doesn’t end up with low in taste though, especially with its garnish pack’s mention that the veggies in there vary depending on the season of production! It has a nice peppery taste and a little heat but not overwhelmingly so. This is a real treat and goes great with eggs. Original Review

 

Number 9 – Hong Kong – Doll Instant Noodle Artificial Chicken Flavour

Yeah I know – chicken instant noodles. How boring! Not this one – the broth is very good – it warms one’s innards on a cold day like nothing else. This is especially good with an egg or two added with about 45 seconds remaining as it cooks in the pot – makes the broth even heartier. A very relaxing bowl of noodles. Original Review

 

Number 8 – Japan – Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen Japanese Style Noodles

This is a very recent addition to the Top Ten list. Having tried Shio instant noodle varieties in the past, I had a feeling this would be a good one, and it truly was. The noodles were very hearty and the broth had an almost buttery flavor. I found this one very good with some baked chicken, green onions and hard boiled egg. Comes with a little packet of sesame seeds! Original Review

 

Number 7 – Korea – Nong Shim Shin Ramyun Black Premium Noodle Soup

Twenty years after the introduction of the well-known Shin Ramyun, Nong Shim brought out Shin Ramyun Black. A huge block of noodles, a veggie packet that also has freeze dried beef, red spicy seasoning and onion and oxtail soup packets make this a culinary onslaught of epic proportion. This was best enjoyed using a recipe from Eat Your Kimchi’s site which involved adding an egg, bok choy and a single slice of processed cheese. The beef pieces spring to life and the whole thing is excellent. Original Review

Number 6 – Japan – Myojo Hyoubanya no Chukasoba Japanese Style Noodles Oriental Flavor

A very good, very traditional instant noodle from Japan. Noodles are a little chewy and the broth has hints of seafood. Was enjoyable with a couple eggs cooked with the noodles and a little baked chicken with salt and pepper. Original Review

Number 5 – Indonesia – Mie Sedaap Instant Kari Spesial Bumbu Kari Kental

Like spicy? Like curry? This one from Indonesia fills both criteria and then some. The noodles are good but the real star here is the broth; a bit greasy and so flavorful. Not only a hot curry taste but had sweetness as well. Was excellent with a couple fried eggs. Original Review

Number 4 – Japan – Sapporo Ichiban Japanese Style Noodles Chow Mein

This stuff is great. It’s cooked with a small amount of water as the noodles gobble it all up. The flavor is sweet and salty and pure enjoyable. What’s more is a packet of ground seaweed is included which makes it all the more enjoyable. Goes well with a little bit of roast beef and some chopped onions. Original Review

Number 3 – Japan – Nissin Yakisoba – with Mayonnaise / Mustard Packet

Yakisoba is a very commonly enjoyed dish in Japan – and this variety puts a unique twist on it. You fill the box with boiling water and then afterwards, there’s a little drain spout to get rid of excess water. Add the flavoring and stir – then comes the fun as there’s a little packet that dispenses mayonnaise out of one reservoir and mustard out of the other! This is quite good – especially the vegetables. Nothing to add to this one – enjoy in its native state! Original Review

 

Number 2 – Indonesia – Indomie Mi Goreng Rasa Ayam Panggang Jumbo Barbecue Chicken Flavour Fried Instant Noodles

First off, it’s a jumbo pack, which is helpful as this is such a great tasting package of instant noodles. Second, it comes with a whopping five seasonings – from sweet soy sauce to spicy chili sauce. The noodles are served drained without a broth. The flavorings in concert with a couple fried eggs, some pickled ginger and fried shallots make this one not to miss. Original Review

 

Number 1 – Indonesia – Indomie Special Fried Curly Noodles Special Quality Instant Noodles

Truly the best instant noodles I’ve ever had. I love these – the noodles are flat and very tasty. The seasonings provide a broad range of flavors. Spicy, sweet, full of good flavor. I enjoyed this bowl with some turkey, fried eggs, pickled ginger, fried shallot and Sriracha (Red Rooster) sauce around Thanksgiving. Original Review

Hans ‘The Ramen Rater’ Lienesch

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Here below is the original 2011 Top Ten List, which was in effect from March 30th, 2011 to January 9th, 2012.

So after being hounded by numerous fans of this site, here’s what you’ve all been waiting for: my top ten list. I know there are going to be some disagreements on this one and that’s just fine with me. I know I’m not the only one who’s passionate about instant noodles, although that statement seems a little silly on its own. So please submit your own top tens in the comments section below and share them with others. Anyways, enjoy this list – hopefully you go out and try some of these if you haven’t before. Click on the titles for the full Ramen Rater reviews.

1

Indomie Mie Keriting Goreng Spesial Special Fried Curly Noodles

Country of Origin: Indonesia

Price – Around $1.00 – $1.25

2

Indomie Mi Goreng Rasa Ayam Panggang Jumbo Barbecue Chicken Flavour Fried Instant Noodles

Country of Origin – Indonesia

Price – Around 99 cents

3

Nissin Yakisoba – with Mayonnaise / Mustard Packet

Country of Origin – Japan

Price – Between $2.50 – $4.00

4

Sapporo Ichiban: Chow Mein Japanese Style Noodles

Country of Origin – Japan

Price – Around 75 cents

5

Nissin Karashi Mayo Flavor Yakisoba Pan-Fried Noodles

Country of Origin – JapanPrice – $3.50 – $3.99

6

Myojo: Ippeichan Yakisoba Japanese Style Noodles

Country of Origin – Japan

Price – $2.99 – $3.75

7

Nissin Demae Ramen – XO Sauce Seafood Flavor

Country of Origin – Japan

Price – Around 99 cents

8

Higashi Foods Higashimaru Nagasaki Sara Udon

Country of Origin – Japan

Price – Around $2.00

9

Doll Instant Noodle Artificial Chicken Flavour

Country of Origin – Hong Kong

Price – Around 99 cents

10

Tat Hui Koka Instant Rice Noodles Laksa Singapura Flavor

Country of Origin – Singapore

Price – Around $1.50

This list will change from time to time since, hey – I’m always trying out new stuff! So keep an eye out for changes and updates. I’ll post them on the front page as well.

91 comments

  6. It is perfect to eat an instant noodles when the weather is cold. Here in the Philippines, there is an instant noodle that is very delicious. It’s the Lucky Me Supreme Bulalo Flavor! You can buy it at goods.ph for an affordable price. My family loves instant noodles specially when I’m not around. It’s easy to cook and easy to prepare.

    Reply

  7. Got excited so i ordered all these 10 to try them, never though that Ramen would have fancy brand names, so I’m pretty happy to know companies pay extra care in their Ramen! If you’re interested in my experiment you can always contact me on my public email grandizer961@gmail.com

    Reply

  8. I never find Indonesian instant noodle delicious. They are too savory that even make me queasy. By the way I was surprised that Korean’ Paldo not the list. I think Paldo Kimchi flavor is amazing but it’s too hot.

    Reply

  10. You got it right, bro. Indonesian ramen noodles are the best!!! Of course, it’s the best for me because I grew up eating them, but thanks for confirming my believe, and the other 230 millions indonesians,!! God bless!!

    Reply

  13. Just saw this article.
    As an Indonesian who grew up with Indomie for ten years or so, I can say that they are very tasty indeed, but the taste came from tons of artificial seasonings (ajinomoto), the usual Indonesian instant noodles have more of them than your general instant noodles.
    If you are used to eating without ajinomoto -a.k.a healthy-, the chemicals in Indomie can make you feel thirsty as hell and you can get a sore throat.

    Indomie is a pretty bad choice to be included in your list.
    Tastes great, but have shitloads of ajinomoto, ruining your body faster than any other instant noodles.

    Just my 2 cents

    Reply

  14. I am Indonesian I am a big fan of Indomie Special Fried Curly Noodles! It tastes purrrrfect! 🙂 Glad to see that you put it on top of the list. Now I know that my sense works just fine lol. Maybe you can try other products from indomie, or from other Brands (Supermie, sarimi, ABC)

    Reply

  21. hey im from indonesia! and i love indomie too.i always eat indomie when im go to school!

    Reply

  23. Are all of these available here in the USA? Did Ramenrater have to travel all over Asia to each country mentioned before the name to eat all these different brands of noodles? IDK
    Please someone advise,
    Thank you,
    Perryinjax

    Reply

  26. Yaaaay!! Indonesian noodles got number 1, 2 and 5. You should go to Indonesia, we have more authentic Indonesian flavours there 🙂 Like your blog a lot!! I love instant noodle my self.

    Reply

  29. Well, I checked out how you rate noodles. Fair enough :D. What’s the best way to send you pictures for the ramen dishes people make?

    Reply

  30. I highly enjoy your site. I have been searching for most of the brands that I have tasted as well. Ramen is a bit of a passion of mine as well. One thing I will say about your rating system is that you seem to say quite a lot of good things yet only rate some things like 3.75 without saying what stops it from being a 5. Also do you try the noodles and soup and everything before adding eggs and seasonings and the like?

    Reply

    1. Hi – glad you like the site! If you read the how I review and how I eat my ramen in the about section, this will answer your question the best I can. I’m as thorough as I feel I can be; this takes an obscene amount of time to do each review 🙂

      – TRR

      Reply

  31. Hi,
    thanks for your great Website!

    What is the best instant noodle with a broth and “standard” noodles? With “standard” i mean thin noodles NOT like nongshim.
    I tried many noodles e.g. from yumyum,Vina acecook…. I like the noodles from Vina acecook but the broth is not so good. Do you can recommend something? Thanks! 🙂

    Reply

  33. Do you know that in Indonesia we have a term “Internet” as in Indomie Telur Kornet (Indomie, eggs, and corned beef) you should try indomie goreng with fried eggs and corned beef and cheese on top of it. Heavenly delicious!

    But I like Nong Shim ramyun too 🙂

    You should try a new product called Healthy Mie (Healthy noodle) (http://goorme.com/roll/healtimie-green-barley-noodle) since it is claimed to be a healthier instant noodle and has green colored noodles. 😀

    Reply

  34. I tried Mie Sedaap Instant Kari Spesial sometime in the past, but I’ve forgotten how does it taste. I eat more Indomie, especially Indomie Goreng Rasa Ayam Panggang. I eat that pretty often, either for breakfast or brunch.

    I wonder if you’ve tried Indomie Goreng Rendang. I, and most of my friends, think this new flavor is pretty good. This new flavor has been around in Indonesia for about a month or two, I’d recommend this one if any of you want to try something new.

    By the way, if you haven’t heard about rendang, I think this should provide enough info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendang

    Reply

      1. You have? I thought Indomie Goreng Rendang was the first one to put rendang flavor into the seasoning. Maybe I was mistaken, though.

        Reply

      2. I think it is repackaged. I saw Indomie goreng Rendang Pedas Medan several years ago but I think it was a part of Selera Nusantara (Taste of Archipelago) limited edition. The packaging was orange coloured I think. Now they’ve just relaunch it around 2 or 3 months ago (responding to Rendang being rated as one of the most delicious food by CNN), and it comes in white-purple coloured package. I like the old version better though, more spicy 🙂 But if you prefer the milder one, this new version might be better 🙂

        Reply

  36. Hi.. very dedicated website on instant noodle. I’m Indonesia’s native and like many others addicted to Indomie curly noodles although try to tappered it down now (often nducing sore throat and headache on me). there are 3 other variants now, including roast chicken, fried chicken with chilli, and kornet

    Reply

  37. yay…that’s my fave too since indomie is my native country noodle. i live in UK, and here indomie its quite famous also..you’ve the right choice. thanks for your rating

    Reply

  39. Yes! I saw your top 10 noodles article on Korean new site. It was very interesting because many of Korean doesn’t like Nongsim black noodles because they are quite expensive!
    The reason why I stopped by your website and wrote this is, you should try Korean Ko-Ko-myeon by Pal-do and Nakasaki by Samyang. Those are best sellers in Korea right now. I, personally, like Ko-Ko-myeon better than Nakasaki tho. It’s spicy chicken-stock based noodle soup. Hope this helpful!
    Haylee W.

    Reply

  40. my mom brought over a five pack of Nagasaki Jjampong from Korea. pork based, very spicy and rich. have you tried it?

    Reply

      1. Hey Hans, sending over one Nagasaki Jjampong and one Kkomyun by mail. You should have it in a few days. Note, all the instructions are in Korean. They take a little longer to cook than the standard 3 minutes.

        Reply

  41. loving the site! been telling everyone I know about it.

    I was digging around the big list and the archives, and couldn’t seem to find a way to compare noodles or see your full list of all 110 4-5 star “top tier” noodles on one page.

    I don’t know, call me a dreamer, but I really think it would enhance this site to have a big list all sorted by ranking!

    Reply

  43. I prefer glass noodles or mung beans. It is very difficult to find where I live and would love to know which types/brands/varieties are made from glass noodles. I know from reading your material that mung is not your preference, but you would be an authority, can you compile a list?

    Reply

    1. Hi –
      Well, I would definitely say I can’t stand them. But I would say that you would be looking for an Asian grocery carrying Ve Wong products – especially bowls. There are quite a few varieties they make with bean thread. If you simply type bean thread in the search box on the blog, that might come up with some stuff or just the word ‘bean.’

      – The Ramen Rater

      Reply

  44. if you happen come to indonesia, dont just try indomie.. there r lots of kind of noodles brand here, like ABC instant noodles for ones who likes spicy noodles or curry 😀

    Reply

  46. Hey Hans!
    Just walked out of Uwajimaya with a selection of ramens from your top 10 – Specifically like 6 packs of the special fried curly (no 1). Was funny, we got into the aisle, with their 1000 varieties, and i had to pull out your site to make some decisions. Had a terrible bowl of Top Ramen yesterday (my first in a long while), can’t wait to sample to best 🙂

    Cheers!

    Reply

  47. Since you’re from the Seattle area…just tried a brand I didn’t find when doing a search: Snapdragon. I haven’t had many of the more exotic brands you’ve listed, mostly just the Nissin type, so I thought the Snapdragon Cantonese Tomato was a nice change from the usual. Got it at the Grocery Outlet on MLK. Would be curious to hear what you think. I’m sure you get that a lot though…

    Reply

    1. Ah a very good question. Yes, it’s pretty obvious that I like the fried egg a lot. If you look at the ‘How I Eat Noodles’ link above, there’s some suggestions there. Basically, adding meats and vegetables and select spices always has worked for me, besides egg.

      Thanks for the question!

      – The Ramen Rater

      Reply

  49. LUV your site! Am a huge fan of ramen noodles as well…ate Top Ramen every day in college due to $$ (LOL) but where can I find your Top 10 as listed? Local supermarket? Asian market? Would especially like to try the first two…Thanks!

    Reply

  50. I had some ramen noodles in the’70s that had the broth flavoring infused into the noodles. No flavoring packet. It came from Taipei Taiwan. I have not been able to find it on the mainland for quite awhile. I originally got them in Hawaii, when I was stationed there. I believe they were in a red and orange package.

    Reply

      1. I love thise ramen…We ate them all the time in Japan when I was a kid…I get them at a local Korean store that sells Japanese food…they are awesome on camping trips….real comfort food….

        Reply

  51. Hey Ramen Rater:

    What a cool website! I bet you’ll be even busier with your feature on MSN. Anywho, there are two Nissan Instant Top Ramen flavors I’ve missed seeing on the storeshelves e.g., tomato flavored; creamy chicken flavored. Have you seen them any where lately?

    Please advise, and Bon Appetite!

    Reply

    1. Indeed – been replying to many comments today! Who’d’ve thunk that this site would get so much play? Anyways, All I can say is that I haven’t seen those and in fact I believe them to be discontinued. However, Koka makes a delicious tomato flavor ramen and Maruchan’s Creamy Chicken is pretty good too!

      The Ramen Rater

      Reply

  52. My room-mate only does organic/natural/healthy, but wants to have some ramen. Any ideas on where to get some?

    Reply

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