Noodle Journey Episode 117: Maruchan Midori no Tanuki Soba Noodle Soup

Today, I’m reviewing Maruchan’s Midori no Tanuki Soba Noodle Soup, and I’m genuinely excited that I finally spotted a Japanese-market Maruchan product at my local H Mart. Maruchan is underrepresented on my channel because most of the interesting items are Japan-only, so finding this with an English ingredient list feels like a small win.

I paid $3.49 for this (coincidentally) 3.49-ounce cup at H Mart; it is also available from online retailers if you search around a little bit. Sodium is 2,440 mg, which is super high for a cup this size. Inside you get soba noodles made with both buckwheat and wheat flour, a big disk of tempura batter (called “tenkasu”), and a side-by-side pouch of broth powder and flake mix listing soy sauce, powdered onion, carrot, shrimp, and tuna/bonito. There are no English cooking directions on the cup; you steep with boiling water for three minutes, covered. This is not microwave-safe, so be warned.

Noodles:
Sturdy for an instant soba. Starchy, a little brittle, and with a decent chew. A solid texture that suits the style.
• 7/10

Spiciness:
There are tiny red pepper flakes in the flake packet, but the heat is minimal. I note a trace of warmth, but that’s it.
• 0.5/10

Overall:
If you do not enjoy fish-forward broths, consider this your warning – the bonito aroma was strong from the moment I opened the lid. The broth is a classic soy-and-dashi combination, with a salty, smoky bonito flavor, combined with onion and a touch of sweetness (possibly mirin, sake, or just plain old sugar). It is flavorful but very salty; I even had a little trouble finishing the broth because of the salt content, which is unlike me. The tempura cake is the star here, though. The outside softens into a pancakey texture while the center keeps a light fritter-style texture, and when you break and mix it in, it adds a fried-onion note and real substance to each bite. The green onion bits did not contribute to the flavor or texture as much as I’d have liked. If you enjoy fishy, umami-heavy soups and the novelty of a full tempura cake in a cup, this is a neat, satisfying option. Just watch out for the salt.
• 8/10

Notes since filming:

It’s funny that no one has called me on the fact that, when I filmed this, I didn’t realize that a tanuki and a raccoon were two different animals. Whoops!