Made according to package directions using all of both broth and vegetable packet with no add-ins for my first go. Good, not great. Definitely packs a spicy punch, I’d say a little hotter than Shin’s standard offering (which I use as a benchmark as it’s one of my favorites and a well-known spicy brand). Outside of spice, the broth is a little thin tasting. Saltiness level comparable to Shin. Noodles have a good springy texture but seem a bit bland in and of themselves. Very light on dried vegetables, which is a bummer as I do like a generous distribution of those bits throughout if I’m not doctoring it up in any way. I’d buy it again only if Shin were unavailable as it’s fairly similar but in no way better - I guess that’s a soft YAY?
Those used to be my go-to brand/variety. It’s been forever since I had instant ramen, though, and I almost always doctor them up, rendering any review pointless.
I also like their Black version, with the added packet of bone broth, but it is a little less spicy than the original.
I haven’t tried their Fire Spicy Beef (but would like to). Confusingly, it’s also in a red package. I didn’t see it at HMart when I was there yesterday, so I may have to order some online.
Grocery Outlet also sometimes has them. Though I don’t think they run in the East Coast. The noodle is great. The sauce pack is also great. I save them if I don’t finish.
Ohhh yummy thread idea! I’ll add my current two staples. Sapporo Ichiban Original is the perfect high sodium clear broth flavor that I crave. If I want something with more complexity and actual nutrients, I have been obsessed with Omori Kimchi (https://www.hanyangmart.com/products/you-us-omori-kimchi-stew-ramen-4pks). Highly recommend both if you’ve never had em.
Sapporo Ichiban overall has always had tasty instant noodles, but I favor their special Momosan higher-end ramen lines now (especially the tonkotsu). These are the ones featuring Chef Morimoto’s big old face on the package. They are similar to the Nissin Raoh noodles that have the soup and a separate, flavored oil packet that has the real oomf of the tonkotsu flavor. They have other flavors, but the tonkotsu is best.
This is one of my favorite Korean ramens. Doesn’t get enough love vs Shin, but I enjoy the seafood spin on these, and I prefer the thick chewy noodles this kind has. Don’t get the dry, stirred noodle version though - those are not good.
I bought a 4-pack of these Neoguri not too long ago - they are good if you like the seafood flavor, but I found it a little cloying if eating a whole pack in one sitting. The thick, chewy noodles are definitely nice!
They were always out of stock even before the pandemic too, and they’re back-ordered on a few sites now. I can’t imagine everyone is buying boxes and boxes of these at a time.
Have you tried the Nissin Raoh? These are pretty good too, though I do like the Momosan ones better. The soup base for this one is similar in that there is a separate oil packet that has a lot of the flavor.
I’ll look for it at my local Asian megamart. Costco had sold the Morimoto stuff just prior to the pandemic, and I’m sorry I didn’t stock up on it then. If I had only known…!
I had a Nissin Cup Noodle Original, shrimp flavor as a late night snack recently. This is the Japanese version (Cup Noodle without an S). There was dehydrated shrimp, meat bits, and egg. I got it from a Japanese market. It was a nice snack. The noodles were a little too soft but I maybe just let it steep too long.
