I’ll admit, this is a really different list. I’ve done cup and bowl form factor specific lists, but never ones that come in boxes before. I thought maybe this would be a good idea since most things that come in boxes in the noodle world tend to be on a more premium side of things. This is a selection of my favorites that came in boxes current as of review #3,702. Let’s have a look at The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Boxed Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition!
The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Boxed Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition
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The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Boxed Instant Noodles Of All Time 2021 Edition
#10: Kiki Sichuan Beef Noodle Soup – Taiwan
The noodles are very good – plentiful on quantity and excellent as far as quality. They had an almost squarish gauge and a very nice chew that I expect from Guanmiao. The broth is very complex – a lot of things going on here. A very tasty beef flavor has notes of herbs and spices – one being Sichuan pepper of course, but it was cooperative rather than a bully in the bowl. The beef and tendon was very good, and of good quantity, but I was left wanting more of it – which I think is natural as it’s quite flavorful. Original review
#9: Way Premium Foods Authentic Singapore Laksa – Malaysia
The noodles have a tooth on them which is just right for this bowl. They work very well with the soup – ah, the soup. It’s thick, rich and exceedingly tasty. It has heat, depth of flavor – it’s just excellent. Original review
#8: Chef Nic’s Noodles Hot & Spicy Flavour Noodle Soup – Taiwan
The noodles have a great gauge and mouthfeel – fat little chewy strands. They pick up the sauce well, which is an amalgam of spicy Sichuan pepper flavor and sweetness and saltiness. Really worked well together – love it. Original review
#7: Wu Mu Mandashi Mala Spicy Noodle – Taiwan
I found this at a local store, but I did a very involved Meet The Manufacturer series with this company a year or so ago. As for this variety, the noodles are really special. Like broader flat Taiwan noodles, however these are thinner. Very hearty. Flavor is strong – spicy and savory. Original review
#6: Love To Share Xiangnian Daoxiao Noodles – China
The noodles are really quite good – very wide with a great chewiness. The flavor is a nice balance of mustard green, black vinegar, and Sichuan pepper sauce. A Westerner might see this akin to lasagna in consistency. I find it enthralling and unique. Original review
#5: Ebisoba Ichigen Miso – Japan
Holy crap this is delicious. Okay, so the noodles have an excellent chewiness and a great gauge – probably the thickest ramen I’ve had that hasn’t been considered udon. The broth has a tasty miso flavor – rich and deep. But that shrimp oil is just showy and giving; it’s like Warren Buffet at an orphanage giving. Tasty – makes everything taste like an umami bomb made of prawns just was detonated in your mouth. Original review
#4: Indomie Real Meat Mi Instan Goreng Rendang – Indonesia
It’s really amazing. It also was by my good friend who is no longer with us. Basically take their Mi Goreng Rendang and include a sachet of real rendang in a retort pouch. This comes after recently hearing that Indomie Rendang is hard to find here in the United States, something I was surprised to hear since it’s such a popular product and such a good one. Original review
#3: Liangchengmei Biang Biang Men – China
My wife Kit saw this while we were up in Canada and it piqued my curiosity so thought hey let’s give it a try. Noodles are very broad – over an inch. The flavoring is just superb – to use a word I normally don’t, this is yummy. What’s interesting too is that they included meat – at least I thought it was meat – it’s made from soy protein! Unique, delicious, and the highest a Chinese variety has achieved on The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodles Of All Time to date. Congratulations! Original review
#2: Mom’s Dry Noodle Sichuan Spicy Duck Blood Bean Vermicelli – Taiwan
This one is a seriously innovative and unique newcomer. A spicy broth with nice vermicelli is met with coagulated duck blood. Not just a little, but a lot of it. If you’ve never had it, I can say it’s very rich with a thick custard like consistency. Really pleased with this one – an ingredient you don’t see often in an instant variety. Original review
#1: A-Sha Gourmet Braised Beef Noodle Soup
For a long time, I’ve really enjoyed this style of noodle from Taiwan. It’s wide, with a center line which is thicker, and the sides are thinner – which gives them a very unique and wonderful mouthfeel. I’ve also always thought that these would just sing is in a broth (usually they are presented with a combination of sauces but no broth). The soup is rich with a strong beef flavor and hint of Sichuan peppercorn that do not overwhelm. The nice part is the inclusion of real beef in here. It should be noted that there is a special version of this that comes out during Lunar New Year which includes Wagyu beef – very expensive at a whopping $15USD per serving!, but very tasty as well. Original review
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The Ramen Rater Shop
People have been asking where to get a lot of varieties and so I’ve partnered with Exotic Noods to bring you The Ramen Rater Shop. Here you’ll find an expending variety of instant noodles at a pretty decent price. You’ll be able to try a wide array of varieties and not have to buy a ton of each variety. I really wanted to have a way you could just buy a single pack of two at a time. The same way I do when I visit an Asian grocery.
The All New The Ramen Rater App For Android
The Ramen Rater App for Android has been given a whole new look and functionality. You can scan bar codes to see reviews I’ve done while at the store, peruse the top ten lists, and do simple searches. It’s really great – even a dark mode! Best of all it’s free and currently ad-free.
