In 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-ReviewThai Authentic Sriracha Shrimp Ramen
Ingredients and aroma: powdered seasoning with onion, chili pepper, paprika, green onion, and small dried shrimp; a separate liquid sriracha packet adds chili pepper, vinegar, and garlic. Sodium content is around 1,400 mg. When cooked, it smells mostly of chili powder with a touch of vinegar and paprika coloring.
Noodles:
Cheap and brittle, with poor broth adhesion and a bleached-white appearance.
• 4/10
Spiciness:
A pretty standard sriracha heat. Prior to adding the sauce itself, I’d put this at about a 2.5/10 spice level. Overall, comparatively mild but pleasant.
• 3.5/10
Overall:
The broth leans heavily toward salt and vinegar with a sharp pepper kick and faint onion sweetness. There’s hardly any shrimp presence outside the tiny pieces floating around, and the garlic barely registers. It tastes like a simple chili-vinegar broth rather than a shrimp soup, but for a $1.25 cup it’s fine for a quick fix if you enjoy sriracha-forward flavors.
• 6/10
Norita Roasted Pork Tonkotsu Ramen with Miso
Ingredients and aroma: artificial pork flavoring, miso powder, MSG, dairy creamer, salt, sugar, garlic, onion, and a sesame chili oil packet. Sodium comes in at 1,900 mg. The broth smells surprisingly authentic, which is crazy considering there’s no meat in here, and it’s also pretty garlicky. The creamer adds a nice consistency.
Noodles:
Seems to be the same thin cheap type as the previous cup.
• 4/10
Spiciness:
Adding the entire packet brings a very solid medium heat. Don’t be fooled by the cheap packaging – this is hotter than expected.
• 4.5/10
Overall:
This one is shockingly good for a dollar-store ramen. The artificial pork flavor lands cleanly without that fake aftertaste common to cheap broths. Garlic and onion stand out and blend with the miso and creamer to create a rich, savory tonkotsu feel. The oddball spices like coriander and cinnamon stay buried, adding warmth rather than strangeness. The chili oil brings nutty depth and a pleasant layer of heat. Even with its mediocre noodles, this bowl feels balanced and well-executed. It’s better than some branded tonkotsu cups that cost twice as much.
• 8.5/10
Thai Authentic Chicken Curry Ramen
Ingredients and aroma: curry powder, MSG, dairy creamer, coconut powder, and artificial chicken flavoring. Sodium is 1,810 mg. The cup smells of Thai yellow curry with cumin, sweet cinnamon, and light coconut.
Noodles:
Same baseline quality as the others. Functional but forgettable.
• 4/10
Spiciness:
Advertised as medium, but I think it’s mild enough for nearly anyone.
• 2/10
Overall:
This is a pleasant surprise. The broth tastes like a gentle Thai yellow curry soup with a creamy finish and a touch of sweetness from the coconut powder. It’s not complex, but it’s warm and comforting. The onion flakes rehydrate nicely and add a slight crunch. Nothing about it pushes boundaries, yet it captures the right curry profile for an entry-level cup. If you want something soothing and low in heat, this is worth grabbing when you see it.
• 7/10
Norita Tempura Udon Shrimp Soy Sauce Noodle Soup
Ingredients and aroma: soy powder base with dried shrimp, carrots, green onion, bonito powder, and seaweed. The label claims “tempura pea protein chunks,” though they’re not crispy by the end of its long 10–12-minute steep. Sodium is 1,200 mg. It smells of shrimp and seaweed with a hint of sweetness typical to this kind of broth.
Noodles:
Chewy and bouncy, noticeably better than the ramen varieties.
• 7/10
Spiciness:
None at all.
• 0/10
Overall:
This is an odd mix of good and disappointing. The noodles are thick and satisfying, but the broth misses the mark for a soy sauce flavor. Instead of a deep shoyu punch, it leans toward a mild seafood-vegetable soup with shrimp and seaweed as the dominant notes. The sweetness from the sugar is noticeable but balanced by the fishy umami. Unfortunately, the tempura pieces turn mushy and lose all crunch, which hurts the texture and undercuts the name. If not for that and the long steep time, this could have been a solid 7; as is, it’s a decent, mild seafood cup that’s still better than expected for the price.
• 6.5/10
Final Thoughts
The Dollar Tree noodle lineup turns out far better than its packaging implies. All four are worth trying if you keep expectations in check: Sriracha Shrimp is simple and vinegary, Tonkotsu with Miso is the clear winner with surprising depth, Chicken Curry is mild but enjoyable, and Tempura Udon has the best noodles despite textural flaws. For $1.25 each, they’re budget bowls done right.
Notes since filming:
I had someone who works for Thai Authentic/Norita (I think the owners) leave me a comment on this video asking me to email them. I did so and got no response. If you’re reading this and would still like to get in touch, please email me! I really enjoyed your products and would love the chance to review anything you may be coming out with in the future!
