Noodle Journey Episode 104: Myojo Ippei-chan Yakisoba with Mustard Mayonnaise

Today I’m diving into my second-ever yakisoba review with Myojo’s Ippei-chan Yakisoba. Myojo has a strong reputation for quality, and this one comes with something special: a mustard mayonnaise packet for garnish. It’s also my second time reviewing a Myojo product after their excellent refrigerated Shio Tonkotsu. This variety has a lot to live up to, especially given that there’s also a refrigerated fresh noodle version out there, which I can only imagine is even better.

I found this dried noodle version at H Mart for $3.99, and it’s also available online for a similar price, though Amazon listings can be unreasonably high. Sodium comes in at 1,830 mg, with no misleading “two servings” claim like we’ve seen before. The noodles are made with wheat, fish extract, MSG, and soy sauce for built-in flavor. Inside the package are four separate packets: liquid yakisoba sauce (Worcestershire-based with seafood extract, garlic, and even licorice), a generous dried cabbage packet, a furikake garnish with seaweed, potato flakes, and black pepper, and the rich mustard mayonnaise. Preparation includes cooking the noodles with cabbage, draining via the built-in spout, adding sauce, then topping with garnish and mayo.

Noodles:
Thin but firm, flavorful even before cooking, and perfectly matched to the sauce. Excellent chew and texture for yakisoba.
• 10/10

Spiciness:
No real heat here, just tangy zest from the Worcestershire and mustard, and a gentle kick from the black pepper. I wouldn’t call this spicy in the slightest.
• 0/10

Overall:
This is the kind of standout yakisoba that keeps me going back for bite after bite because there’s something new in every forkful. The base sauce is wonderfully balanced, with equal parts umami, tang, and just enough sweetness to round things out, while also delivering a slightly smoky depth that I love. The cabbage pieces rehydrate beautifully, offering little bursts of sweetness and crunch to break up the richness of the noodles. Seaweed in the garnish packet brings that unmistakable oceanic umami, while the potato flakes add a subtle starchiness that gives the bite more body. Then there’s the mustard mayo, which is the real showstopper here tying everything together. It’s: creamy and rich with a mellow eggy backbone, sharpened just enough by mustard flavor to cut through the sauce without overpowering it. Even with the high sodium, the flavors stay in perfect balance; nothing dominates, and nothing fades into the background. The only potential drawback is for those who shy away from the inherent seafood flavor of the fish sauce, but if you like Worcestershire and enjoy seafood undertones, this is pure comfort food with a touch of decadence. For me, this is a complete package: hearty, layered, and immensely satisfying.
• 10/10