Noodle Journey Episode 102: Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper Crab

For this episode, I’m trying one of the more intriguing flavors from Nissin’s Hong Kong Cup Noodles lineup: Black Pepper Crab. This variety caught my attention after a Reddit post claimed it was disappearing from store shelves, which made me even more curious to find and review it. Black pepper crab is a Singaporean classic, made by frying whole crabs in black pepper and aromatics, and this cup promises to deliver a version of that rich, peppery seafood experience. Like most cup noodle offerings, I know the noodles themselves won’t be the star, but the flavor could be.

I picked this up for $1.99 at my local Asian grocery store, where it’s still readily available despite the panic from that Reddit post, though stock may rotate. Online, it sells for about the same. Sodium content is high at 1,830 mg, and the cup is not microwave-safe, requiring a three-minute steep with boiling water. The ingredients list is a seafood lover’s dream: imitation crab made from pollock, dried fish sauce, scallop and shrimp extracts, plus carrots, green onion, and corn. While I’m often skeptical of corn in noodles, I’m ready to keep an open mind here.

Noodles:
The standard thin, flat Nissin Cup Noodles style. Serviceable for delivering the broth but nothing special in texture. Consistent with past experiences.
• 5/10

Spiciness:
A modest kick from the black pepper, with a few small chili bits that add only a hint more heat. For most people, this will read as mild.
• 1.5/10

Overall:
A standout Cup Noodles broth. It’s reasonably thick with a bold black pepper bite, balanced by sweetness from the imitation crab and even the corn, which surprisingly works here for me despite my usual reservations about corn in ramen. The soy sauce and seafood extracts bring strong umami depth, while onion and possible herbal notes (maybe basil or something similar) add complexity. Each spoonful offers something a little different, making this easily my favorite Cup Noodles so far. If the noodles themselves were better, this could hit a perfect score, but even so, it’s a delicious and memorable option.
• 9/10