Nissin Cup Noodles Ramen Bistro Sichuan Garlic Chicken is the next flavor I’m tackling in the Ramen Bistro lineup, and I think it’s probably the most interesting of the three, especially given the flavor issue I had with the Japanese Miso variety. A lot of the time you’ll find Sichuan spices paired with beef, but in this case we’ve got a chicken broth instead. This should be interesting.
The Verdict:
| Product: | Nissin Cup Noodles Ramen Bistro Sichuan Garlic Chicken |
| Origin: | Japan (Manufactured in the USA) |
| Noodle Quality: | 6.5/10 |
| Spice Level: | 4/10 |
| Overall Score: | 9.5/10 |
As with the other Ramen Bistro cups, you should be able to find these at most American supermarket chains for under $2.00. They’re a little pricier than normal Cup Noodles but that’s due to the more “premium” nature of the chili-infused noodles and added vegetable content.
Under the lid, you’ll see those chili-infused noodles, broth powder, and dried toppings. The broth contains chicken fat, citric acid, soy sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, Sichuan peppercorn, star anise, and other spices. The dried ingredients are bok choy, soy protein, carrot, and minced garlic. The sodium is a pretty reasonable 1070mg.
Noodles:
Whatever is different about these noodles, I really need Nissin to start using them everywhere. They are significantly more al dente after cooking than in the normal Cup Noodles flavors. Still a thin gauge, but so much more pleasant to chew.
- 6.5/10
Spiciness:
About on par with the last one. There’s a medium lingering heat here that’s not too crazy, and some of the tingly lingering sensation is due to the Sichuan peppercorn in the broth.
- 4/10
Overall:
I was worried after the Japanese Miso flavor that I was going to find the same issue here where there just wasn’t enough umami to balance out with the spice. Imagine my surprise when I tasted this and found it absolutely delicious! First and foremost, I’m a sucker for garlic, and there’s plenty of garlic flavor to be found here. But underneath all of that is a solid, savory backbone that’s not just another run-of-the-mill chicken broth. And this time, the lack of added MSG didn’t adversely affect the overall flavor. Now, I will say that the Sichuan spices in the broth don’t come across to me as heavy; while there is a slight flavor of anise and Sichuan pepper if you’re thoughtfully sipping the broth and really trying to seek out the spice blend, I wouldn’t have really noticed there was star anise in this if not for the ingredients label. It’s a super accessible amount of Sichuan flavor, a far cry from the heavier mala notes you’d get from something like Kang Shi Fu Hot & Spicy Artificial Beef Flavor Noodles. It all blends together in a very savory way without getting floral or licorice-adjacent, which I appreciate because sometimes those mala spices do bother my tastebuds (thanks a lot, genetics). That said, if you’re looking for heavy Sichuan flavor, this ain’t it, but if you’re bothered by heavy amounts of those kinds of flavors, you might enjoy this. Once again, the incredible quantity and quality of the flakes needs to be mentioned. There’s plenty of bok choy, carrot, and garlic pieces in this, and while the soy protein pieces were just a little too soft to be reminiscent of real chicken, they did provide a nice enough alternative texture. It is quite possible that this is the best Cup Noodles product manufactured in America, at least in my humble opinion, and I will definitely be buying this again. Very highly recommended!
- 9.5/10
Continuing the Journey
- Looking for more intense Sichuan flavors? You’ll probably enjoy Kang Shi Fu Braised Artificial Beef Flavor Soup Noodle.
- For a savory sauced noodle with Sichuan spices, check out A-Sha Meteor Noodles with Danzai Sauce.
- If you want more specifically from Nissin, check out the Japan-exclusive Nissin Cup Noodles Malatang.
