Here's all the noteworthy noodle news you may have missed in December 2025! We've got a ton of product announcements from Nongshim, a surprising new product line from Ramen Bae, a major Korean manufacturer entering the instant noodle space, a new Buldak flavor, and a new Buldak discontinuation. Read on for more! Ramen Bae Debuts
The Big List of Buldak
Samyang Buldak is such a popular brand that its fans try to seek out every single flavor that has ever existed to make sure they can try them all. A while back on Reddit, I started maintaining an active list of all known flavors and their status. You can now find that list here, along
Samyang Buldak Sweet Ramen Review – Noodle Journey Episode 209
Samyang Buldak Sweet Ramen is a bowl-only (currently) Buldak product aimed squarely at people who like the flavor of Buldak sauce but find the original versions a little too intense. This bowl released around the same time as the Taco flavor and not long before Samyang introduced “Swicy,” a very similar-looking but still distinct product. Sweet is positioned as a toned-down, slightly sweeter take on the classic hot chicken sauce rather than a major departure from the formula.
Acecook Curry House CoCo Ichibanya Supervised Curry Ramen Review
My coworker grabbed me another round of goodies from Guam on his most recent trip, and the one I'm most excited about trying is this brand-new Acecook Curry House CoCo Ichibanya Supervised Curry Ramen, so it gets the honor of being the inaugural review. Curry House CoCo Ichibanya is a popular curry restaurant chain from Japan that has several locations worldwide, including a few in the USA. Unfortunately, I don't live anywhere near any of them, so this cup is the closest I'm going to get to eating the real deal as of right now. I'm a sucker for instant noodle restaurant collaborations, so I have high hopes for this.
Noodle Journey Episode 208: Nissin Cup Noodles Dill Pickle Flavor
Visit https://www.noodlejourney.net for a complete searchable index of every single review, plus noodle news, site-exclusive product reviews, and more! BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/noodlejourney.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noodlejourneyofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noodlejourneyofficial Email: [email protected] Noodle Journey is an episodic review series in which we learn all about instant noodle brands and products and then do a deep dive into the noodle quality, spice level, and overall flavor. All reviews are as thorough as possible. The noodles are cooked according to the manufacturer's instructions using only the contents of the product package unless otherwise indicated. This ensures that the review is as unbiased as possible and evaluates whether or not I think a product is worth a purchase either as a standalone meal or as a base that you could spruce up. Each review represents my personal opinions and is for informational/entertainment purposes only. I am not responsible for how the information is interpreted or used. 2026 starts on a sour note as I review last summer's "limited edition" Nissin Cup Noodles Dill Pickle flavor. Is this as bad as it sounds? Watch the review and see. Please like and subscribe! 0:00 - Introduction 2:16 - Ingredients 3:03 - Review 6:47 - Final Thoughts #Noodles #InstantNoodles #InstantRamen #NoodleReviews #InstantNoodleReviews #RamenReview #FoodReview #Ramen #Ramyun #AsianCuisine #AsianFood #JapaneseFood #CupNoodles
Review: Nissin Cup Noodles Malatang
I found this Nissin Cup Noodles Malatang flavor a few months back when I placed a big noodle order from Japan. I'm always intrigued when Nissin tries something wildly new with their limited-time Cup Noodle flavors instead of just adding a new seasoning oil to an existing flavor and calling it a day. This Malatang
Noodle Journey Episode 207: Marutai Fukuoka Seafood & Pork Tsukemen
Visit https://www.noodlejourney.net for a complete searchable index of every single review, plus noodle news, site-exclusive product reviews, and more! BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/noodlejourney.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noodlejourneyofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noodlejourneyofficial Email: [email protected] Noodle Journey is an episodic review series in which we learn all about instant noodle brands and products and then do a deep dive into the noodle quality, spice level, and overall flavor. All reviews are as thorough as possible. The noodles are cooked according to the manufacturer's instructions using only the contents of the product package unless otherwise indicated. This ensures that the review is as unbiased as possible and evaluates whether or not I think a product is worth a purchase either as a standalone meal or as a base that you could spruce up. Each review represents my personal opinions and is for informational/entertainment purposes only. I am not responsible for how the information is interpreted or used. This year's Marutai marathon ends with possibly the most unique product yet: a seafood and pork tsukemen, or "dipping ramen." Not familiar with the concept? Watch the review to learn more! Please like and subscribe! 0:00 - Introduction 3:34 - Ingredients 4:22 - Assembly 5:37 - Review 9:18 - Final Thoughts #Noodles #InstantNoodles #InstantRamen #NoodleReviews #InstantNoodleReviews #RamenReview #FoodReview #Ramen #PorkNoodles #SeafoodNoodles #AsianCuisine #AsianFood #JapaneseFood #Tsukemen
Noodle Journey Episode 206: Marutai Yokohama Soy Sauce Tonkotsu Ramen
Visit https://www.noodlejourney.net for a complete searchable index of every single review, plus noodle news, site-exclusive product reviews, and more! BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/noodlejourney.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noodlejourneyofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noodlejourneyofficial Email: [email protected] Noodle Journey is an episodic review series in which we learn all about instant noodle brands and products and then do a deep dive into the noodle quality, spice level, and overall flavor. All reviews are as thorough as possible. The noodles are cooked according to the manufacturer's instructions using only the contents of the product package unless otherwise indicated. This ensures that the review is as unbiased as possible and evaluates whether or not I think a product is worth a purchase either as a standalone meal or as a base that you could spruce up. Each review represents my personal opinions and is for informational/entertainment purposes only. I am not responsible for how the information is interpreted or used. I've never had the pleasure of eating Iekei style ramen before, so I was very excited to see that Marutai makes an instant version of it! Check out the review of this oily, porky, umami-heavy tonkotsu ramen. Please like and subscribe! 0:00 - Introduction 2:31 - Ingredients 3:13 - Assembly 4:41 - Review 9:29 - Final Thoughts #Noodles #InstantNoodles #InstantRamen #NoodleReviews #InstantNoodleReviews #RamenReview #FoodReview #Ramen #Ramyun #ChickenNoodles #PorkNoodles #AsianCuisine #AsianFood #JapaneseFood
Review: Dongwon Cheese Topokki
Dongwon Cheese Topokki is the other Korean rice cake variety from this manufacturer that I found recently at Walmart, and given how delicious I thought the Spicy and Sweet flavor was, I figured I'd better try this one too so I know what to stock up on next time I find myself in a Walmart.
Noodle Journey Episode 205: Marutai Chilled Chinese Noodles
Visit https://www.noodlejourney.net for a complete searchable index of every single review, plus noodle news, site-exclusive product reviews, and more! BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/noodlejourney.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noodlejourneyofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noodlejourneyofficial Email: [email protected] Noodle Journey is an episodic review series in which we learn all about instant noodle brands and products and then do a deep dive into the noodle quality, spice level, and overall flavor. All reviews are as thorough as possible. The noodles are cooked according to the manufacturer's instructions using only the contents of the product package unless otherwise indicated. This ensures that the review is as unbiased as possible and evaluates whether or not I think a product is worth a purchase either as a standalone meal or as a base that you could spruce up. Each review represents my personal opinions and is for informational/entertainment purposes only. I am not responsible for how the information is interpreted or used. This one is a seasonal treat from Marutai, their Chilled Chinese Noodles aka Hiyashi Chuka. This simple cold noodle dish packs a surprising amount of flavor. Check out the review! Please like and subscribe! 0:00 - Introduction 1:55 - Ingredients 3:18 - Assembly 5:04 - Review 7:45 - Final Thoughts #Noodles #InstantNoodles #InstantRamen #NoodleReviews #InstantNoodleReviews #RamenReview #FoodReview #Ramen #Ramyun #AsianCuisine #AsianFood #JapaneseFood #HiyashiChuka #ColdNoodles
Noodle Journey Episode 204: Sapporo Ichiban x Marutai Tonkotsu Ramen Mega-Review
Visit https://www.noodlejourney.net for a complete searchable index of every single review, plus noodle news, site-exclusive product reviews, and more! BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/noodlejourney.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noodlejourneyofficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noodlejourneyofficial Email: [email protected] Noodle Journey is an episodic review series in which we learn all about instant noodle brands and products and then do a deep dive into the noodle quality, spice level, and overall flavor. All reviews are as thorough as possible. The noodles are cooked according to the manufacturer's instructions using only the contents of the product package unless otherwise indicated. This ensures that the review is as unbiased as possible and evaluates whether or not I think a product is worth a purchase either as a standalone meal or as a base that you could spruce up. Each review represents my personal opinions and is for informational/entertainment purposes only. I am not responsible for how the information is interpreted or used. The annual Noodle Journey Merry Marutai Marathon starts today, with three products made in collaboration between Sapporo Ichiban and Marutai! These three tonkotsu ramen flavors have a big secret in the ingredients: they're vegan. Are they as good as the meat-based Japanese versions? Watch the review to find out! Please like and subscribe! 0:00 - Introduction 2:17 - Hakata-Style Original Tonkotsu Introduction 2:49 - Hakata-Style Original Tonkotsu Ingredients 4:08 - Hakata-Style Original Tonkotsu Assembly 5:59 - Hakata-Style Original Tonkotsu Review 9:07 - Kagoshima-Style Creamy Tonkotsu Introduction 10:13 - Kagoshima-Style Creamy Tonkotsu Ingredients 10:45 - Kagoshima-Style Creamy Tonkotsu Assembly 11:52 - Kagoshima-Style Creamy Tonkotsu Review 14:28 - Kumamoto-Style Garlic Tonkotsu Introduction 15:06 - Kumamoto-Style Garlic Tonkotsu Ingredients 15:26 - Kumamoto-Style Garlic Tonkotsu Assembly 17:32 - Kumamoto-Style Garlic Tonkotsu Review 19:30 - Final Thoughts #Noodles #InstantNoodles #InstantRamen #NoodleReviews #InstantNoodleReviews #RamenReview #FoodReview #Ramen #Ramyun #PorkNoodles #AsianCuisine #AsianFood #JapaneseFood #VeganNoodles #Vegan