TOP TEN TAIWAN 2014

Welcome to the 2nd annual The Ramen Rater’s top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles Of All Time – the 2014 edition. In the last year, I’ve tried a slew of new varieties from Taiwan that were just amazing. Really discovered some great new products that I think everyone should try! What’s special this time is that I’m actually going to be in Taiwan during a layover on my trip to Malaysia! Figured I’d put this out a week early as it’ll be quite hard to post when I’m overseas. This is a list comprised of the best of the best of the 127 different varieties of instant noodles that I’ve tried that were made in Taiwan. As a side note – I’m also going to be traveling through Singapore and then my destination of Malaysia – there will be top ten lists for those two countries coming as well as soon as I’ve reviewed enough varieties to have a wide sampling. I’ve done just over 40 from each so far. With that, let’s have a look at the best noodles I’ve tried from Taiwan!

#10: A-Sha Dry Noodle Mandarin Noodle – Onion Oil Sauce

The noodles are exquisite in that they have a wonderful chew and just plain make me want more. The flavoring is top-notch in this one – a strong and sweet onion flavor with sesame and soy notes . A masterpiece of simplicity. #6 in 2013. Original review

#9: Deshome Aloe Noodle Red Onion & Sesame Sauce

Wide, flat noodles infused with aloe. The aloe is farmed by the company as well. They’re non-fried; dried in the hot sun! They have a freshness and texture that it really amazing. The red onion and sesame flavors intermingle nicely. #5 in 2013. Original review

#8: Amianda Noodle Tachia Dried Noodles – Rou Zhao Meat Sauce

The noodles are spectacular – elastic and perfect chewiness. The flavoring is awesome! Has a sweet and salty braised pork flavor that is just out of this world. #4 in 2013 Original review

#7: Unif Man Han Feast Sichuan Chili Eel Flavor Instant Noodle

The noodles are flat and broad. They have a nice quality to them; not too chewy but very good for a bowl noodle. The broth is rich with a good spiciness. The added bonus with this is the eel – it’s really good! Everything is rich and hearty and it’s definitely a feast to behold and consume. #3 in 2013. Original review

#6: Deshome Aloe Noodle With Basil Sauce

The basil flavoring goes extremely well; reminds me of marinara but different. I am continuously impressed by how Taiwanese noodles that I’ve tried recently don’t contain a huge list of ingredients but rather they take an avenue of simplicity that works so nicely. This one is excellent – bravo! #2 in 2013. Original review

#5: A-Sha Dry Noodle QQ Thin Noodle – BBQ Sauce

These noodles are great! Very light and thin and honesty they seem to be happy. It’s a perfect balance of texture and delicateness. They definitely are wonderful to chew. The BBQ sauce? Well, this isn’t what most would think of when you say BBQ sauce – it’s not the 99 cents a bottle stuff at the local grocery store. Instead, it’s a very enjoyable and tasty flavor with nice depth. Soy sauce, garlic, a slight spiciness and other flavors are represented in a wonderful flavor that doesn’t have the usual American ‘slather’ BBQ sauce feel. This is excellent. #1 in 2013. Original review

#4: Deshome Sun Dried Noodle Chlorella Powder Noodle With Curry

This unique noodles really got me. First off, they’re green – really green! They had a nice texture and an amazing curry flavor that was truly great. As most of you know, I’m a big curry fan and it’s sweetness and rich taste were just spot on. Original review

#3: Mom’s Dry Noodle Onion Oil & Shrimp Flavor

It’s amazing how sometimes when I do a top ten list, some of the best ones are right before the cutoff for my list! I tried this one a week or so ago and let me just say – wow. The noodles are of an excellent quality and texture with a perfect chewiness. The flavor is well balanced with not too much saltiness but definitely not bland; it’s rich and delectable stuff. Original review

#2: Chering Chang Curry La-Men

This is the first variety I’ve tried of this brand and if the others they make are anything like this, they’re going to be doing very well with my reviews! The noodles are of a standard instant noodle gauge but have a very fresh feel to them. The curry broth is a wonderful sweet curry with a excellent richness to it. The included vegetable sachet was a show stopper on this one, with everything hydrating to perfection and a really ample quantity. Original review

#1: Mom’s Dry Noodle Sichuan Spicy Flavor

After trying their Onion Oil & Shrimp, I couldn’t wait to try this one – and it was a real treat as well. What sets this one apart are the noodles. Sun dried and with a perfect texture and thickness. They’re absolutely amazing. As for the flavor, it comes together via three sachets: mushroom oyster sauce, sesame oil and chilli paste. The heat is ample and so wonderfully balanced with the sesame and oyster sauce. The clear winner this year. Original review

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