Detailed instant noodle reviews and ratings – watch, read, and discover your next favorite.
I’m trying the third variety (and currently final, at least in the US) in this product lineup: Nissin Raoh Soy Sauce Ramen. After loving the Miso and re-evaluating the noodles in the Tonkotsu version, I’m optimistic about this one. It's a chilly autumn day, which makes this a perfect time to dig into a shoyu broth. Maruchan Gold Soy Sauce is still my reigning favorite in this category, with Sapporo Ichiban’s original flavor as another reliable favorite, so this has stiff competition.
I'm revisiting the Nissin Raoh product line with their Miso flavor, hoping for redemption after being underwhelmed by their American Artificial Tonkotsu version. That one had great noodles but an off-putting yeast-heavy broth. This time around, I’m looking for something more balanced. My current favorite miso is Maruchan Gold Spicy Miso, so this also serves as a natural comparison point.
I'm following up on my review of Maruchan Gold Spicy Miso with the only other variety in the Gold line currently available in the US: Maruchan Gold Soy Sauce Ramen. I’m curious if this could become my new favorite shoyu-based noodle soup. The non-premium version of this would be the blue pillow packs - the ones that said "Oriental" flavor for an oddly long time before they changed it to "Soy Sauce" flavor. I've had that one a long, long time ago, never for a proper review, but I do remember not coming away super impressed.
Today, I’m trying out Maruchan 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.
This one brings back memories. I first tried Nissin Demae Black Garlic Oil Tonkotsu Ramen early in the pandemic, and it’s one of the noodles that kickstarted this entire channel (and ultimately website). I really liked it at the time, but I’ve had a lot more tonkotsu since then, including some that were pretty underwhelming (I'm looking at you, Nissin Raoh).
It was only a matter of time before Cup Noodles made an appearance on the channel, and this Nissin Cup Noodle Seafood flavor brings a bit of a twist. Rather than reviewing the familiar American grocery store staple, this is one of Nissin’s Japanese-inspired varieties sold in the USA, "Cup Noodle" Seafood, singular, without the "s" at the end of "Noodle," just as it's branded in Japan. If you’ve ever wondered what sets these apart from the basic domestic offerings, you're not alone.
Time to take our first step into Japanese territory with the much-hyped Nissin Raoh Artificial Tonkotsu Ramen, the self-proclaimed “king of ramen.” While most people know Nissin for their bargain-basement Cup Noodle and Top Ramen, the Raoh line is their premium noodle line here in the US. At $2.69 a pack from Wegman’s at the time I bought this (and about the same online), this one positions itself above your average grocery store find.