Detailed instant noodle reviews and ratings – watch, read, and discover your next favorite.
Original video description:
Following up on the review of the pack version of Buldak Mala in episode 164, here’s the other version of Samyang Buldak Mala that’s out there: a flat noodle variety in a bowl. This one is easier to find, but does it taste as good? Watch the review to learn how this compares!
Links to purchase:
https://mykmarket.com/products/943211
https://www.sayweee.com/en/product/Samyang-Buldak-Flat-Noodle-Mara/2070538
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Original video description:
I spotted this Vegan Curry Noodles bowl from Nongshim in Walmart recently. There’s a lot to like about this one: low-ish sodium, vegan, lots of good vegetables listed in the ingredients. Check out the video for the full review!
Links to purchase:
https://www.samsclub.com/p/nongshim-vegan-curry-ramen-noodle-big-bowl-6-pk/P03016102
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nongshim-Vegan-Curry-Ramen-Noodle-Soup-Big-Bowl-3-56oz-x-1-Count-Shelf-Stable/5113283404
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Original video description:
We’ve got a three-part mega-review today with this brand-new product line from Samyang! If you love the idea of Hispanic flavors in your instant noodles, you’re going to want to check out this review of Samyang Picantia Jalapeno Chicken, Chipotle Beef, and Cajun Shrimp ramen noodle soups.
Links to purchase:
https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/picantia-jalapeno-chicken-bowl-3-7-oz/1021127411
https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/picantia-chipotle-beef-bowl-3-7-oz/1021127421
https://www.yamibuy.com/en/p/picantia-cajun-shrimp-bowl-3-7-oz/1021127431
Scores:
Jalapeno Chicken Noodle Soup:
Chipotle Beef Noodle Soup:
Cajun Shrimp Noodle Soup:
This Baijia Hi A’Kuan Broad Noodle Chili Oil Flavor is one of those products that caught my attention the instant I saw the packaging. The massive ribbon-like noodles pictured on the front were calling out to me, practically daring me to try them. This variety from China has been recommended to me more than once, and based on what I’ve seen from others online, this flavor in particular seems to be one of Baijia’s most popular offerings. Baijia is a Chinese company that’s been around for nearly two decades, specializing in non-fried noodles of all shapes and thicknesses. Their Hi A’Kuan series leans into premium noodle quality, and this particular flavor promises a balance of chili oil spice and vinegary tang. Between the reputation, the presentation, and my own curiosity about how broad noodles handle this type of sauce, I went into this one with high expectations.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 170: Baijia Hi A’Kuan Broad Noodle Chili Oil Flavor (Hot and Sour)Nissin Geki Fiery Hot Chicken Flavor is finally hitting US shelves, marking the debut of Nissin’s chili-infused Geki line for the American market. Manufactured at Nissin’s California facility, this product isn’t just a repackaged version of the Indian or Indonesian releases (Geki’s original marketing region), but rather it’s a new recipe designed specifically for current US trends. The idea is straightforward yet ambitious: chili flakes are fried directly into the noodles during production, creating a built-in heat source rather than relying entirely on the seasoning packet. It’s a clever concept and one that even Samyang, the company behind Buldak, hasn’t attempted. Given the timing and the marketing, it’s clear that Nissin wants this to stand as its answer to the Buldak craze.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 169: Nissin Geki Fiery Hot Chicken Flavor NoodlesIn this Dollar Store Instant Noodle Mega-Review, I’m diving into four ramen bowls that have been showing up in Dollar Tree stores across the US: Thai Authentic Sriracha Shrimp Ramen, Thai Authentic Chicken Curry Ramen, Norita Roasted Pork Tonkotsu Ramen with Miso, and Norita Tempura Udon Shrimp Soy Sauce Noodle Soup. I found all four of these at Dollar Tree for $1.25 each. These are all made in Thailand and imported by the same Kentucky company, so the two brands are essentially one and the same. Packaging is cheap and generic looking, but as you’re about to learn, you should never judge a book by its cover, or a noodle by its packaging.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 168: Dollar Store Instant Noodle Mega-ReviewIt’s yakisoba time! For this review, I’m finally diving into the U.F.O. product line with Nissin U.F.O. Japanese Sauce Flavor, a Hong Kong export version of one of Japan’s most famous instant noodle brands. I found this at a local Asian market for $2.99, and while the original Japanese U.F.O. is hard to come by in the U.S., this version is somewhat easier to find. The name “U.F.O.” actually stands for umai, futoi, and ookii, meaning “delicious sauce, thick noodles, and large cabbage.” This export version omits pork to meet import regulations, explaining why it’s easier to find in the USA.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 167: Nissin U.F.O. Japanese Sauce YakisobaWhen I first saw Samyang Buldak Dumplings in the frozen section, I bought them purely out of curiosity without any intention to review them. I mean, after all, these aren’t exactly noodle. My wife and I had tried them a couple months ago and quickly forgot about them until I found the bag buried in the freezer while cleaning. But since people on Reddit frequently ask about these or are surprised to learn they exist, and because they are technically noodle-adjacent as a product, I decided it was worth making an official Noodle Journey review to settle the question once and for all.
Read more: Noodle Journey Dumpling Review: Samyang Buldak DumplingsOriginal video description:
A viewer recommendation led me to try Yumei Henan Noodle Original Soup, a Chinese instant noodle that immediately stood out to me for its wide, air-dried noodles and interesting-sounding broth ingredients. The product photos looked amazing: flat, broad noodles unlike anything I’ve had on the channel before. Henan noodle soup (Huī miàn) dates back to the Tang Dynasty, and its traditional version uses lamb bones and herbs for a light but rich broth. This export version skips the lamb but advertises an herb-forward, savory base. Yumei makes a range of foods beyond noodles, including snacks, sauces, and self-heating hot pots, though this was my first review of any of their products. There’s also a spicy version with a different vegetable mix, which I plan to track down later if this one performs well.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 166: Yumei Henan Noodle Original SoupAfter re-reviewing Ramen Toppers’ Chashu Pork, Fish Cake, and Vegetable Mix and awarding it a perfect score, I was excited to try their other major product: the Ramen Toppers Vegetable Mix for Noodles. This mix contains the same vegetables found in the Chashu blend – peas, corn, cabbage, carrots, and green onion – but without the meat or fish elements, making it completely vegan. Ramen Toppers sent me this canister at the same time as the Chashu sample so I could evaluate both.
Read more: Noodle Journey Supplemental Review: Ramen Toppers Vegetable Mix for Noodles