Noodle Journey Episode 33: Maruchan Gold Spicy Miso Ramen

Today, I’m trying out Maruchan’s Gold Spicy Miso Ramen, which marks the first review of a Maruchan product if you can believe it. While the company is known for their budget-friendly options, this “Gold” line aims to be their premium entry, positioned as a counterpart to Nissin’s Raoh series. It’s labeled as “Craft Ramen” and sold in sleek, reflective packaging, priced around $2 per pack at some supermarkets, although it tends to be a bit harder to find than Nissin Raoh from my experience.

The product isn’t made in the US, but exported from Japan, which might explain why there are currently only two flavors in this line (Spicy Miso and Soy Sauce). I’m hoping this signals a shift in direction for Maruchan, who have otherwise ignored the premium noodle trend in the American market. The sodium content is pretty crazy at 2160mg per package, or 94% of your daily value.

This is my third miso ramen review, following two previous disasters, but I’m cautiously optimistic given the premium nature of this. The soup base here is a rich red miso paste blended with chili oil, garlic, onion, and bonito, giving it an earthy, umami-heavy aroma.

Noodles:
These “craft” noodles are impressively thick and chewy, with fantastic bite and perfect pairing for a miso broth. I didn’t expect this level of quality from Maruchan, but they absolutely nailed it.
• 10/10

Spiciness:
There’s a light hit of chili oil at the start, but it fades quickly. No lingering burn, no lip-tingle, and nothing that overstays its welcome.
• 3/10

Overall:
Finally, a miso ramen that actually tastes like miso. The broth is rich and bold, with a strong umami depth, and enhanced by bonito and garlic. There’s real complexity here, with oil on the surface lending body to the soup. The only thing holding it back from perfection is the complete lack of garnish. There’s no green onion, no vegetables… nothing to break up the uniformity of the bowl. That said, it’s easily the best Maruchan product I’ve ever tried and proves they’re capable of more than just Instant Lunch.
• 9/10

I’m following this up with the soy sauce version next, and I might eventually put both of these head-to-head with Nissin Raoh in a future comparison.