immi Black Garlic Chicken Ramen has been showing up constantly in my targeted social media ads, so I decided it was finally time to see what all the hype is about. immi is a California-based ramen company founded in 2019 whose motto is “instant ramen reinvented.” They market themselves as a healthier alternative to other instant noodles: lower carb, higher protein, medium sodium, and both vegan and keto-friendly. That’s great on paper, but it comes with a steep price tag: $6 for a single 2.4-ounce pack.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 148: immi Black Garlic Chicken RamenCategory: Video Reviews
Noodle Journey Supplement Review: Ramen Bae Dried Japanese Fish Cake aka Narutomaki
Ramen Bae Dried Japanese Fish Cake aka Narutomaki is a stealth release that slipped out sometime between their Veggie Mix and Spicy Garlic Mix. I completely missed it until recently and decided it deserved a review. While the Spicy Garlic Mix disappointed me, this one looked promising.
Read more: Noodle Journey Supplement Review: Ramen Bae Dried Japanese Fish Cake aka NarutomakiNoodle Journey Episode 147: Samyang Tangle Kimchi Rosé Tangluccine
Samyang Tangle Kimchi Rosé Tangluccine is the second entry in Samyang’s “Tangle” fusion line, following the excellent Bulgogi Alfredo from Episode 122. I’ve been looking for this one for months, and it’s been a hot item since release, so I was excited to finally track it down. This series reimagines Korean flavors through Italian-style pasta using wide, air-dried noodles that resemble fettuccine.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 147: Samyang Tangle Kimchi Rosé TangluccineNoodle Journey Episode 146: Nongshim Kimchi Noodle Soup
After a surprisingly decent experience with Mike’s Mighty Good Kimchi Ramen, I wanted to see what a company that actually makes decent noodles could do with the same concept. Nongshim Kimchi Noodle Soup seems like the perfect follow-up, since I’ve already made it clear how much I love both kimchi and Nongshim’s products in general. This one feels like a natural fit with their other products.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 146: Nongshim Kimchi Noodle SoupNoodle Journey Episode 145: Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen Vegetarian Kimchi Ramen Soup
Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen Vegetarian Kimchi Ramen Soup is my latest attempt at revisiting this brand, which I’ve often criticized for small portions, inconvenient cooking, and noodles that don’t live up to their marketing ploys. I did marginally enjoy their Fried Garlic Chicken and the Spicy Miso Soup they make for Trader Joe’s, so at a friend’s urging, I’m giving a few more flavors a fair shake. First up is this Vegetarian Kimchi variety. I love kimchi, and this one has gotten some decent buzz online. Mike’s products are widely available in grocery stores across the U.S., though they usually cost $3-4 per pack, which is terribly pricey considering the small size.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 145: Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen Vegetarian Kimchi Ramen SoupNoodle Journey: Bottom 5 Instant Noodles (2024)
Original video description:
Want to know what to avoid next time you go shopping for noodles? Check out the channel’s very first bottom 5 list. These are the 5 worst products I’ve reviewed since the channel started, current as of February 2024.
Noodle Journey: Top 10 Instant Noodles (2024)
Notes since filming:
I never deal in absolutes, which is why I won’t commit to saying any one noodle product is my number one of all time. I enjoy all of these for different reasons, and what awesome product I crave one day may not be what awesome product I crave another day. That’s why I filmed this list this way, and I will continue to do so with any future top lists.
Original video description:
Time for the channel’s first top 10 list! I’ve reviewed a lot of great products since the channel began. This list, in no particular order, highlights my 10 current favorites among the major noodle varieties, along with some honorable mentions for those of you with dietary preferences.
Noodle Journey Supplement Review: Ramen Bae Spicy Garlic Mix
Ramen Bae Spicy Garlic Mix launched on February 1, 2024, after months of teasing, and I grabbed a pack the second it became available on their site. I’ve recommended Ramen Bae countless times on Reddit whenever people ask how to spruce up their noodles, and I’ve reviewed both their Classic Seafood & Vegetables Mix and their Veggie Mix in past reviews. Both were solid products worth your attention if you like the ingredients.
Read more: Noodle Journey Supplement Review: Ramen Bae Spicy Garlic MixNoodle Journey Episode 144: Ramen Talk Tomato Meatball Noodles
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.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 144: Ramen Talk Tomato Meatball NoodlesNoodle Journey Episode 143: Samyang Buldak Tom Yum Ramen
Samyang Buldak Tom Yum is hot off the presses, launching in the U.S. in January 2024. I may even be the first to do a full review of it on YouTube, since I couldn’t find any others when I filmed. While Buldak varieties pop up constantly in other countries, like Basil Cream Udon in Korea or Yakisoba in Australia, this Tom Yum flavor is, at least for now, exclusive to the U.S. market. I picked mine up from RamenMall for $1.99 a pack, though stock has been fluctuating quickly. At the time of this review, it hasn’t hit stores near me yet, but it should roll out to Asian groceries and other online sellers soon.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 143: Samyang Buldak Tom Yum Ramen