Lotus Foods Millet & Brown Rice Ramen with Red Miso Soup Review | Noodle Journey Episode 120

Lotus Foods Millet & Brown Rice Ramen with Red Miso Soup Review | Noodle Journey Episode 120

Time to continue my gluten-free noodle run with Lotus Foods Millet & Brown Rice Ramen with Red Miso Soup. It has been a while since I touched this brand because the white miso variety landed in my bottom five and the turmeric curry was only okay. The ingredient choices in the noodles were never the problem with this brand like you might think - it was always the flavor of the soup. I picked this one to review now because I recently saw it on a “healthiest ramen” list and I want to know if red miso, which is usually the most bold, funky of the miso varieties, finally gives Lotus Foods a broth with real character. Here's a quick primer on miso if you're unfamiliar: white is mild and sweet, yellow leans earthier, and red is the strongest and most pungent, the kind you often find in ramen shop miso soups.

Samyang Bulgogi Ramen Soup Review | Noodle Journey Episode 119

Samyang Bulgogi Ramen Soup Review | Noodle Journey Episode 119

Today's review is Samyang Bulgogi Ramen Soup, and I’m happy to finally cover a new Samyang product that isn’t another Buldak flavor. Bulgogi is something you'll find in Korean barbecue: thinly sliced beef marinated in soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and onion, sometimes with Asian pear for sweetness, then grilled or stir-fried. As a noodle bowl, that translates to those marinade flavors adapted into a soup, since bulgogi itself isn’t served as a soup.

Maruchan Akai Kitsune Udon Noodle Soup Review | Noodle Journey Episode 118

Maruchan Akai Kitsune Udon Noodle Soup Review | Noodle Journey Episode 118

I’m reviewing Maruchan’s Akai Kitsune Udon Noodle Soup, a companion to the Midori no Tanuki soba I just covered. “Akai Kitsune” translates to “red fox,” which in this context refers to a bowl of udon topped with fried tofu (called "abura-age"), not anything to do with fox meat. I like the Tanuki soba a lot, so I’m going in hoping this udon version lands just as well.

Acecook Hao Hao Saté Onion Noodles Review | Noodle Journey Episode 116

Acecook Hao Hao Saté Onion Noodles Review | Noodle Journey Episode 116

Today, I'm reviewing Acecook Hao Hao Saté Onion Noodles, and to be perfectly frank, I’m not sure what this flavor is supposed to be. “Saté onion” doesn’t point to anything I can find via Google (aside from this specific product), so I’m going into this review trying to figure out what Acecook is aiming for - is it Indonesian satay with peanut and grilled meat notes, or the Vietnamese saté chili-lemongrass condiment? Neither of those things really makes me think of oniony noodles, so the origin of the name here is a bit of a mystery.

Ramen Toppers Chashu Pork and Vegetables Mix Review | Noodle Journey Supplemental Episode

Ramen Toppers Chashu Pork and Vegetables Mix Review | Noodle Journey Supplemental Episode

Note: This product underwent a drastic overhaul several months after I reviewed it and earned a much better score! Check out the updated review for more info. I’m checking out another dried topping meant to dress up instant noodles, this time from a brand simply called Ramen Toppers. The thing that makes them unique among other dried topping manufacturers is clear: chashu pork and full-size narutomaki fish cake in the same jar, plus a pile of vegetables. It’s a neat idea if the proteins and textures hold up after rehydrating.

Paldo Gompaghetti | Noodle Journey Episode 115

Paldo Gompaghetti Review | Noodle Journey Episode 115

Today, I’m trying Paldo Gompaghetti, a Korean–Italian mash-up that promises a white, peppercorn-forward creamy sauce over thick noodles. I stumble on it during a recent Asian market run - one of those curveballs that jumps into my shopping cart because I just have to know what it tastes like. I’ve covered Paldo’s Premium Gomtang before, so the idea of fusing that savory base with a peppery “white pasta” vibe has me curious and a little wary. Fusion products can be great or a total misfire, but I’m going in hoping for a creamy comfort bowl that still feels distinctly Korean.

Paldo Cheese Ramyun Review | Noodle Journey Episode 112

Paldo Cheese Ramyun Review | Noodle Journey Episode 112

I’m kicking off a cheese-centric trio of reviews with Paldo Cheese Ramyun. I’ve had this variety once long before the channel/website even began, so I’m curious how it holds up now, especially next to other cheesy Korean options I’ve covered. This is a soup noodle, not a sauce noodle, so the cheese is meant to round out a classic red-chili beefy broth rather than be a creamy sauce.