Noodle Journey Episode 167: Nissin U.F.O. Japanese Sauce Yakisoba

It’s yakisoba time! For this review, I’m finally diving into the U.F.O. product line with Nissin U.F.O. Japanese Sauce Flavor, a Hong Kong export version of one of Japan’s most famous instant noodle brands. I found this at a local Asian market for $2.99, and while the original Japanese U.F.O. is hard to come by in the U.S., this version is somewhat easier to find. The name “U.F.O.” actually stands for umai, futoi, and ookii, meaning “delicious sauce, thick noodles, and large cabbage.” This export version omits pork to meet import regulations, explaining why it’s easier to find in the USA.

Each bowl contains 1,641 mg of sodium and includes a round block of noodles, a seasoning powder packet, an oil packet, and dried vegetables (mainly cabbage and carrot). The ingredients list soy sauce, sugar, MSG, onion powder, garlic powder, and unspecified spices. The sauce base leans toward the sweet and tangy profile typical of yakisoba, with flavors reminiscent of Worcestershire and ketchup. Despite the “large cabbage” claim, the vegetable pieces are small, though there are more of them than first appear after mixing. When cooked, the aroma is unmistakably yakisoba – savory, zesty, and slightly briny.

Noodles:
Softer than expected for something that advertises “thick noodles.” The texture is similar to Cup Noodles rather than firm yakisoba, but they’re serviceable and absorb the sauce well.
• 6/10

Spiciness:
There’s a faint tingle, possibly from black pepper or a hint of chili, but it’s still largely mild.
• 1/10

Overall:
This is a decent yakisoba cup, though it doesn’t stand out. The flavor is pleasant enough, salty, tangy, and just a little sweet, but it lacks the depth and smokiness of better competitors like Sapporo Ichiban or Myojo’s Ippei-Chan. The noodles don’t make a strong impression, and the sauce, while satisfying, is fairly standard. The flavor reminds me of a lighter, thinner version of authentic yakisoba sauce, in that it’s good for a quick craving, but not quite hitting the mark in richness or umami. The vegetables are small but do their job, and the portion size is generous enough to feel filling. The biggest drawback is how quickly the flavor peaks; it starts strong but fades halfway through, leaving mostly salty sweetness by the end. Still, it’s enjoyable enough if you’ve never had yakisoba before and a perfectly fine introduction to the U.F.O. line, but seasoned yakisoba fans will likely crave something with a bit more punch. I’ll be really curious to try the actual Japanese version someday.
• 7/10