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.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 112: Paldo Cheese RamyunCategory: Noodle Reviews
Noodle Journey Episode 111: Momofuku Spicy Chili Noodles
Here’s the other currently-new product from Momofuku, their Spicy Chili Noodles. Coming right after Sweet & Spicy, the obvious question is whether this feels distinct from that one or Tingly Chili or is more or less a spicier version of either. The packaging is certainly similar to Sweet & Spicy, but the ingredients list is certainly different, so I’m curious how it actually eats vs. the rest of the product line.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 111: Momofuku Spicy Chili NoodlesNoodle Journey Episode 110: Momofuku Sweet & Spicy Noodles
After an insanely long wait for new flavors, today’s review is one of the two new flavors (as of August 2023) from Momofuku’s instant noodle lineup: Sweet & Spicy. Unlike their earlier offerings, which mostly leaned on soy and sesame profiles, this one brings a gochujang-style sauce that promises a balanced kick with some sweetness. The noodles are still made by A-Sha, so I’m already expecting top-notch texture, but we’re finally at a point where Momofuku is making their own sauce instead of repackaging an existing recipe from A-Sha. This feels like a smart pivot for Momofuku, moving into something with a different flavor profile and a fuller sauce compared to their original three flavors.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 110: Momofuku Sweet & Spicy NoodlesNoodle Journey Episode 109: Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup
I’m reviewing one of the most popular vegan instant noodle options out there: Nongshim’s Soon Veggie Noodle Soup. Since I tend to cover a lot of spicy, meat-based varieties, this feels like a good opportunity to check out something milder, vegan-friendly, and easy to find in the US. Vegans deserve solid noodle options too, and this one has been hyped online for years. It’s long overdue for a spot on my review list. As with most Nongshim products, my expectations are high, so I’m curious to see if it lives up to the praise.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 109: Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle SoupNoodle Journey Episode 108: Nongshim Doong Ji Naengmyeon with Gochujang Sauce
I’m back with the second half of Nongshim’s Doong Ji Naengmyeon line, this time swapping out the chilled beef broth for a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce. Fans of the channel might recognize this pairing from my review of Nongshim’s Guksu Soba in Episode 85, where I loved the sauce, and from the previous review’s naengmyeon noodles, which I mostly liked. Given that history, I’m expecting a solid showing here. Naengmyeon is a cold noodle dish made with ultra-thin brown noodles, while this gochujang sauce is a sweet and spicy blend built on red pepper paste and other savory elements.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 108: Nongshim Doong Ji Naengmyeon with Gochujang SauceNoodle Journey Episode 107: Nongshim Doong Ji Naengmyeon with Chilled Beef Broth
It’s another hot summer day, so I’m breaking into something cold for Episode 107: Nongshim’s Doong Ji Naengmyeon with Chilled Beef Broth. I first saw this style of noodle in a video from Esther Choi, where she prepared naengmyeon for Sean Evans, and it piqued my interest. I’ve tried other cold noodles before, like Nongshim’s Guksu Soba and Paldo’s Bibimmen, but naengmyeon is new territory for me. These thin, chewy noodles are typically made with wheat, buckwheat, and potato starch, and they’re traditionally served in a tangy, chilled broth, often as a refreshing follow-up to Korean BBQ. This one swaps in a beef-based broth, which should make for a very interesting experience.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 107: Nongshim Doong Ji Naengmyeon with Chilled Beef BrothNoodle Journey Episode 106: Maggi 2-Minute Masala Noodles
For today’s review, I’m diving into my very first Indian instant noodles and my first experience with the Maggi brand, with these 2-Minute Masala Noodles. I actually had something completely different planned for this review, but prior to filming, I met up with a friend from a neighboring state who handed me a couple of packs. These are likely the most popular Indian instant noodles in the world, yet I can’t find a single store near me that sells them, despite Nestlé distributing them in the US. I’ve been searching for any Maggi product for ages, so finally getting my hands on these feels like a small victory.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 106: Maggi 2-Minute Masala NoodlesNoodle Journey Episode 105: Rap Snacks Icon Ramen Noodles
Rap Snacks is a line of products that feature prominent hip-hop/rap artists putting their name, likeness, and endorsements on various things like chips, snacks, and these instant noodles. These dollar store staples have sparked some divisive opinions online, but they have a few unusual ingredients and flavor concepts that made me curious enough to grab the whole set. For this episode, I’m reviewing all three of the Rap Snacks Icon Ramen Noodle cups that are available at the time of review: Creamy Chicken Gumbo by Master P, Beef Prime Rib by E-40, and Louisiana Hot & Spicy Chicken by Boosie. Each cup is branded with the artist’s face, and while the presentation leans into novelty, the ingredient lists makes me hope they might be more interesting than expected.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 105: Rap Snacks Icon Ramen NoodlesNoodle Journey Episode 104: Myojo Ippei-chan Yakisoba with Mustard Mayonnaise
Today I’m diving into my second-ever yakisoba review with Myojo’s Ippei-chan Yakisoba. Myojo has a strong reputation for quality, and this one comes with something special: a mustard mayonnaise packet for garnish. It’s also my second time reviewing a Myojo product after their excellent refrigerated Shio Tonkotsu. This variety has a lot to live up to, especially given that there’s also a refrigerated fresh noodle version out there, which I can only imagine is even better.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 104: Myojo Ippei-chan Yakisoba with Mustard MayonnaiseNoodle Journey Episode 102: Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper Crab
For this episode, I’m trying one of the more intriguing flavors from Nissin’s Hong Kong Cup Noodles lineup: Black Pepper Crab. This variety caught my attention after a Reddit post claimed it was disappearing from store shelves, which made me even more curious to find and review it. Black pepper crab is a Singaporean classic, made by frying whole crabs in black pepper and aromatics, and this cup promises to deliver a version of that rich, peppery seafood experience. Like most cup noodle offerings, I know the noodles themselves won’t be the star, but the flavor could be.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 102: Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper Crab