Detailed instant noodle reviews and ratings – watch, read, and discover your next favorite.
Welcome to the Noodle Journey master archive. Browse every instant noodle review both from the Noodle Journey YouTube channel and exclusive to this site, where you’ll find deep-dives into the big world of instant noodles. I’ve covered hundreds of different flavors and styles, from the fiery heat of Samyang Buldak and the classic comfort of Nongshim Shin Ramyun to worldwide favorites like Indomie Mi Goreng, Nissin Cup Noodles, and A-Sha air-dried noodles.
Whether you’re looking for the best spicy broth, a creamy tonkotsu, or a vegetarian-friendly snack, this index is designed to help you find your next favorite bowl. Each review includes a detailed breakdown of Noodle quality, Spiciness levels, and an Overall score to give you the most honest look at what’s actually inside the package. New reviews are added regularly as the journey through the world’s best (and worst) instant noodles continues.
Continuing my deep dive into the Buldak product line, I’m trying out one of the more unique flavors left in my review queue, Samyang Buldak Tomato Pasta Ramen variety. Some online chatter, particularly on Reddit, claims this is basically a South Korean spicy take on Spaghetti-Os. That doesn’t sound too bad to me, though we’ll see how it plays out in practice.
This review looks at Samyang Buldak Stew Ramen, one of the few variations designed to deliver the brand’s signature flavor in soup form. I’ve seen people dilute regular Buldak sauces with water to create soup, which isn't a great idea - it just spreads the spice around and weakens the flavor. This recipe is actually formulated to be in soup form with the promise of all the intense flavor and heat you'd expect from the Buldak name. Be warned that the packaging is kinda similar to the standard original Hot Chicken pack but has a “Stew Type” logo, so be sure you’re buying the right one if you're shopping for this flavor.
In this spicy review I’m covering Samyang Buldak Habanero Lime Ramen, one of three new Buldak flavors introduced in 2022. The sombrero on the packaging hints at a Mexican‑inspired profile. I had tried this a couple of months earlier because I wanted to see how relentless the cilantro flavor was, and after it passed the cilantro-tolerance test, I wanted to revisit it here.
Today I'm reviewing Samyang Buldak Rosé Ramen, which at the time of this review was one of the more elusive flavors in the Buldak lineup. I ordered it from stylekorean.com for about two dollars a pack, though I hope Samyang eventually releases an English‑export version (update: they did!). Some viewers have mispronounced it as “rose” like the flower; the packaging clearly uses the accent mark over the e, so it’s pronounced ro‑zé. This ramen aims to blend Samyang’s signature heat with a creamy smoky bacon sauce.
In this review I'm taking a look at Nissin Cup Noodles Breakfast variety, a limited‐edition gimmick that pairs ramen with maple syrup, pancakes, sausage and egg flavors. Nissin announced it in March 2023 and many people assumed it was an April Fool’s joke, but it’s real and I was able to buy it from Walmart for about $1.18 at the time of review. It’s a Walmart exclusive and scalpers were reselling it online, which is disappointing because creating artificial scarcity for food is a particularly lousy thing to do.
Sapporo Ichiban has become a bit of a sleeper favorite for me, and after really enjoying that miso bowl in the previous review, I wanted to check out Sapporo Ichiban Tonkotsu Ramen, also in bowl form. While Sapporo Ichiban's lineup in the US is limited compared to what's available in Japan, what they do offer tends to be consistent, accessible, and pleasantly flavorful, which are qualities that earn them a permanent spot on my shelves (my daughter in particular is a big fan of their chicken ramen). Today's focus is on this pork bone broth variety that has a lot of competition in the instant noodle world. Given how many excellent tonkotsu options I've already reviewed, this one's got some stiff standards to live up to.
This episode covers one of the most well-known instant miso ramen products on the market: Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen, in the bowl version. Thanks to a viral TikTok hack that combined this ramen with a raw egg, Kewpie mayo, and garlic, it skyrocketed in internet popularity. But beyond the hype, there’s some legitimate history here too; this was reportedly the very first instant miso ramen, dating back to the 1960s. It took Sanyo Foods three years to develop their proprietary six-miso blend for this flavor, and the end result is a savory, umami-rich bowl that clearly struck a chord with consumers.
I’m diving into something a bit unusual today: Paldo Jang Ramyun, a soy-flavored noodle soup that stands out because it’s from a Korean company. While soy-based broths are a staple in Japanese ramen, they’re a bit rarer (in my experience) when it comes to Korean instant noodles. This particular variety has a few interesting twists in the ingredients. It’s part of Paldo’s diverse lineup, and given how consistently solid their products are, I’m going into this review with optimism.
This is my first time reviewing a soba noodle product, and I’m kicking things off with something from one of my favorite Korean companies. Nongshim Guksu Soba with Gochujang combines Korean sweet-and-spicy chili paste with Japanese-style buckwheat noodles, creating a chilled noodle dish that’s a refreshing change of pace. And the most interesting part? It comes with two different preparation methods: cold sauced noodles or cold noodle soup. Naturally, I'm reviewing them both.
I’m taking a look at a Nongshim variety that completely slipped past my radar until recently: Nongshim Guksu with Beef Bone Extract. The packaging boldly advertises a hybrid of beef and umami dashi flavors, and I picked up a four-pack on sale for $3.99 at my favorite Asian market, marked down from the usual $5.99. Oddly, I haven’t found it on Amazon, but some Walmarts carry it, and other Asian online stores or eBay may have listings.