by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 8: Nissin Raoh Artificial Tonkotsu

Notes since filming: I really hated giving this one a medium overall score, but for me, it was largely an issue of the yeast extract used to approximate pork flavor in this. This is not the only time I’ve come across something like this that set my tastebuds off, but it was definitely the first. Since filming, I recommend this one with the caveat that I personally find the artificial flavor to be overwhelming, but that a lot of people who aren’t me don’t have any issue with it. Every once in a while, someone on Reddit asks, “Why does Raoh Tonkotsu have this weird stink to it?” and so I know I’m not the only one whose tastebuds are wired like this. But if you don’t have an issue with yeast, from a consistency and quality perspective, this is one of the best tonkotsus you can buy in the US. It’s just not for me.

Original video description:

Time to dive into the channel’s first tonkotsu product with the much-hyped Nissin Raoh Artificial Tonkotsu flavor. Does this variety of Raoh really stand tall as the “king” of ramen? Let’s find out!

Links to purchase (although it seems like ordering this online is a total crapshoot and these may be either the “Artificial” or “Umami” version of this product based on availability):

https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/nissin-raoh-ramen-noodle-soup-umami-tonkotsu-flavor-100g/1021006201?scene=user_order&bu_type=user_order&module_name=user_order&index=8&content=1021006201

https://smile.amazon.com/Nissin-RAOH-Ramen-Noodle-Tonkotsu/dp/B015E9AEWK/ref=sr_1_2?crid=D62K7U0O7PIZ&keywords=nissin+raoh+tonkotsu&qid=1651258453&sprefix=nissin+raoh+tonkotsuaps63&sr=8-2 (Always be careful with third party Amazon sellers!)

Scores:

  • Noodles: 9/10
  • Spiciness: 1/10 (due to garlic)
  • Overall: 5/10
by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 7: Momofuku Tingly Chili Wavy Noodles

Notes since filming: When people complain that Momofuku sauces are boring, for me, this is the exception that proves the rule. Love it or hate it, the tingly chili sauce in this one is a more unique recipe than the others that were available at the time and it packs a lot of flavor. Some of you might not like that flavor, what with the various vegetable extracts and Sichuan peppercorn taking center stage, but this sauce is not something you could easily replicate at home like the others.

Original video description:

Following up on the Momofuku Spicy Soy Noodles review from episode 4, I take a look at Momofuku’s Tingly Chili Wavy Noodles.

Momofuku’s pricing and packaging options have changed since I recorded this video, so check out their website below for the latest options.

Also, as of mid-May 2022 it appears that these are now available at Whole Foods (thanks for the heads-up, Edmund Moore!), so this may be the cheapest way to get these if you have a local Whole Foods. The Amazon link below should work for that as well.

Buy directly from Momofuku: https://shop.momofuku.com/collections/noodles

Buy from Momofuku on Amazon:
https://smile.amazon.com/Momofuku-Tingly-Noodles-Servings-Snacks/dp/B09PZVRTD3/ref=sr_1_5?m=AHA38DSG8H9UX&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&qid=1650669323&s=merchant-items&sr=1-5

Scores:

  • Noodles: 10/10
  • Spiciness: 4.5/10
  • Overall: 8.5/10

by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 6: Paldo Premium Gomtang

Notes since filming: While I still stand by my score of 6/7 for these (the flavor is great, but it is completely one-note), I underestimated the versatility of this broth at the time of filming. You can throw just about anything into this and transform it into something magical. When someone asks for a completely mild noodle recommendation from Korea, this is the one I tell them. 

Original video description:

This time, I’m taking a break from spicy soups to look at Paldo’s Premium Gomtang variety, and I’ll be spicing it up anyway as I review it both with and without the suggested add-in of kimchi.

Korean Ramen Jumbo Combo: https://www.cokoyam.com/collections/sale/products/cokoyam-amazing-k-ramen-jumbo-sets-over-50-ramens?variant=31324060614756

Or purchase as a 4-pack: https://www.cokoyam.com/products/paldo-premium-gomtang-ramen-pack-125g-4pack-500g?variant=36743796293798

Scores:

Noodles: 5/10
Spiciness: 1/10 (only due to garlic)
Overall: 6/10 (7/10 with kimchi added)

by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 5: Samyang Buldak Carbonara

 

Notes since filming: The very first Buldak review I ever did, and I was hooked. I had just started getting up my heat tolerance thanks to Nongshim Shin and various orders from Heatonist. As with most things that have as meteoric a rise as Buldak, there’s been a lot of naysayers popping up to say they don’t find Buldak even remotely compelling, but I fell in love with the flavor and the noodles right here on camera and I haven’t looked back.

Original video description: 

Time for a review of the wildly popular Samyang Buldak Carbonara! Does this package of noodles live up to the hype? Let’s check it out!

Link to Cokoyam Korean Ramen Jumbo Combo: https://www.cokoyam.com/collections/sale/products/cokoyam-amazing-k-ramen-jumbo-sets-over-50-ramens?variant=31324060614756

Links to purchase these:
https://www.cokoyam.com/products/samyang-carbo-hot-chicken-ramen?variant=28832987283509

https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/samyang-hot-chicken-ramen-multi-pack-carbonara-5packs-650g/1021037711?scene=item_category.item&bu_type=category_tree&module_name=category_main&index=119&content=InstantNoodlesRamenCupNoodles

https://smile.amazon.com/Samyang-chicken-fried-noodle-Ven-VND15-140/dp/B07CF49TMD?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

 

Scores:

Noodles: 9/10
Spiciness: 7/10
Overall: 9/10

by Noodle Journey -

Noodle Journey Episode 4: Momofuku Spicy Soy Noodles

Notes since filming: And thus begins my love/hate relationship with Momofuku and David Chang. My Momofuku reviews get thousands of hits and have netted me tons of subscribers, and so I feel obligated to review them when something new comes out even though the luster has worn off since I filmed this.

I was a little starstruck when filming this video. It was so early on and I was so happy to review something that was made by a “celebrity chef.” Unfortunately, David Chang didn’t really “make” these so much as just slap his branding on it and double the price. And since we now know what a total asshole David Chang can be, I feel bad that I gushed over these as much as I did in my introduction.

Still, I have to credit Momofuku for getting me to try Taiwanese-style noodles for the very first time, because while the sauce on this one was unimpressive, I still absolutely love A-Sha’s noodles.

Full credit to A-Sha for the noodles since I didn’t say it in the video.

Original video description:

Time to take a look at some noodles with an impressive pedigree and an interesting story! Let’s review Momofuku’s Spicy Soy noodles today!

As mentioned in the video, at the time of recording these were sold out everywhere, but they are finally trickling back in stock online and in stores if you would like to purchase them.

Buy directly from Momofuku: https://shop.momofuku.com/collections/noodles

Buy online or in-store at Target:
https://www.target.com/p/momofuku-x-a-sha-spicy-soy-noodles-5ct-16-75oz/-/A-82296984

Scores:

  • Noodles: 10/10
  • Spiciness: 4/10
  • Overall: 5/10