Detailed instant noodle reviews and ratings – watch, read, and discover your next favorite.
Welcome to the Hall of Shame, my first-ever Bottom 5 Instant Noodles list. After reviewing hundreds of products, I’ve suffered through the bland, the boring, and the downright offensive so you don't have to. Unless you are morbidly curious, you should stay away from these five varieties.
I recently hit the milestone of 1,000 subscribers, and to celebrate, I’m finally compiling the first-ever Noodle Journey Top 10 Instant Noodles list. Over the course of this channel, I’ve reviewed a massive variety of noodles, but these ten are the absolute best-in-class for their categories, in my humble opinion. These are the varieties that blew me away when I tried them and that I keep stocked regularly in my pantry for when I’m not filming reviews. This list is in no particular order. These are simply the major varieties that are easily obtainable and represent the pinnacle of my own instant noodle universe in 2024.
Ramen Talk Tomato Meatball Noodles is a brand-new variety that hasn’t even made it to Ramen Talk’s own website yet. Ramen Talk is one of my favorite noodle companies, and I’ve covered them extensively before in Episodes 77 through 83. Six of those seven noodles were terrific, with a couple that I’d consider top-10 material. Ramen Talk doesn't like being called “instant” noodles, since their products come with real meat and toppings packaged inside. You can usually order directly from their U.S. and U.K. sites, but this one popped up first at my local Asian convenience store. I paid $5.49, which is in line with their other premium releases.
I’m closing out this series with Ramen Talk Pepper Crispy Pork Noodles, the only dry noodle option in their current US lineup. After several soup-based varieties, this one promises something entirely different: a saucy, intense, and potentially crunchy experience. The packaging shows plump pork nuggets and a thick coating of sauce, which sets high expectations. I’ve really enjoyed Ramen Talk’s inventive takes so far, so I was looking forward to this one despite my hesitation around the "crispy pork" concept.
Ramen Talk continues to surprise me with their unique and premium lineup, and this Ramen Talk Tomato Tonkotsu Ramen is no exception. I’ve never encountered anything quite like it before, a fusion of rich pork bone broth and tomato paste that promises an umami-forward, slightly sweet and acidic twist on a classic tonkotsu. Whether or not this combination is authentic to any region of Japan is unclear, but it certainly caught my attention. Since I found the basic tonkotsu flavor slightly underwhelming, I’m hoping this variation delivers a bit more punch.
Ramen Talk has been one of the most interesting brands I’ve explored lately, offering premium-level instant noodles with unique flavor profiles and an elevated presentation. Ramen Talk Japanese Volcano Bolognese Ramen is their latest release on their website as of March 2023, though I actually spotted it on shelves at my local S Mart a month earlier. The name suggests an Italian-Japanese hybrid, but as you'll find out, that label may be a little misleading.
I'm continuing my Ramen Talk marathon with Ramen Talk Taiwan Style Braised Beef Noodle Soup, something I’ve been both hopeful and a little apprehensive about. This style of noodle soup has a special place in my heart because I used to frequent a fantastic Taiwanese noodle shop near me that unfortunately shut down recently. Their rich, aromatic beef soup with hand-shaved noodles was one of my favorite meals, and I’ve been craving a good substitute ever since. While I’m reviewing this product on its own merits, I’m quietly hoping it can capture even a fraction of what I used to enjoy.
Ramen Talk continues to impress with its premium, shelf-stable ramen kits that go beyond the typical instant noodle experience. This time, I’m digging into Ramen Talk Tonkotsu Ramen, which comes with a pretty wild inclusion: a full slice of pork belly. I’ve reviewed some heavy hitters in the tonkotsu category before, so I’m eager to see how this one stacks up against the likes of Marutai, Myojo, and even Ichiran.
This time, I’m continuing my exploration of the premium lineup from Ramen Talk with their Ramen Talk Tom Yum "Goong" flavor... sort of (more on that below). I recommend checking out the previous review of their Golden Sour Beef Soup first, since I go over a lot of background on the company there. But for the uninitiated: Ramen Talk is a Chinese instant noodle company that takes pride in using real whole ingredients, which they freeze-dry and pack alongside their sun-dried noodles. Everything you see on the packaging is in the product - yes, even the seafood.
This review kicks off a small marathon with Ramen Talk Golden Sour Beef Noodle Soup. Ramen Talk is a little-known Chinese company, and the name is derived from their Chinese name, Lamianshuo, which translates to "Ramen Talk" or "Ramen Explain." They’re bringing something new (at least to me) to the instant noodle scene: restaurant-style bowls with artisanal noodles, real meat and fresh-like toppings, all shelf-stable and packed into a single serving bag. I first stumbled across their products at a store called S Mart in the greater Philadelphia area and couldn’t believe my eyes. I bought this particular variety, brought it home, cooked it, took one bite, and I knew I had to order the full lineup and review them all for you. This is a brand that deserves your attention in the premium noodle space.