Detailed instant noodle reviews and ratings – watch, read, and discover your next favorite.
Browse all instant noodle reviews from Noodle Journey. I’ve covered hundreds of different flavors from brands like Nongshim, Samyang, Nissin, A-Sha, and more.
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.
Today, I’m reviewing Maruchan Midori no Tanuki Soba Noodle Soup, and I’m genuinely excited that I finally spotted a Japanese-market Maruchan product at my local H Mart. Maruchan is underrepresented on my channel because most of the interesting items are Japan-only, so finding this with an English ingredient list feels like a small win.
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.
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.
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.
I’m closing out the Korean cheese trilogy with Ottogi Real Cheese Ramen. This is the only one of the three that uses a liquid cheese packet, so I’m expecting a different texture and a cheesier finish out of this than the powdered-only soups. There's also some interesting surprises in the flake packet.
Moving on from the previous review of Paldo Cheese Ramyun, I’m continuing the cheesy Korean soup run with Ottogi Cheese Ramen. I haven’t had this one before, but I’ve had great luck with Ottogi’s Jin line, so if this is basically Jin-style red chili beef broth with a cheese packet, I’m optimistic.
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.
Here's the other currently-new product from Momofuku, their Momofuku 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.
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: Momofuku Sweet & Spicy Noodles. 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.