Noodle Journey Episode 18: Momofuku Soy & Scallion Noodles

It’s time to round out the Momofuku noodle lineup, at least for now at the time of this review, with their Soy & Scallion flavor. This is the third variety I’ve reviewed after the Spicy Soy and Tingly Chili, and if you’ve seen those reviews, you know I’ve got a lot of love for the quality of the noodles. Credit goes to A-Sha for creating something with serious quality and texture. The Spicy Soy sauce packet was fine but a little underwhelming flavor-wise. The Tingly Chili kicked things up nicely and had a much broader array of flavors besides just soy. This one? It’s basically the Spicy Soy sauce minus the chili oil, with a pack of dried scallions added in. So today’s overall score is going to hinge almost entirely on whether those scallions pull their weight.

I paid $10 for a 5-pack at my local Target, but you can also find these on Amazon or directly from Momofuku’s site, sometimes in bulk. Sodium is 880mg per serving (38% DV), and the whole pack is vegan.

Noodles:
Still absolutely top-tier. These are firm, chewy, and just incredibly satisfying to eat. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: these are a perfect texture for me.

• 10/10

Spiciness:
There’s no heat here whatsoever.

• 0/10

Overall:
This is another case of phenomenal noodles weighed down by a really basic sauce. The soy and sesame oil combo is tasty but feels incomplete, and just like its predecessor, something I could easily make at home for cheaper; you’ve probably already got everything needed to make this sauce packet already sitting in your pantry. And the scallions, while aromatic, just don’t add enough to elevate the dish. They’ve retained a bit of flavor through the drying process, but they’re never going to be as good as fresh scallions, and the end result is just kind of boring. It’s the same issue I had with the Spicy Soy: the noodles deserve better. That said, this still works well as a snack, a side dish, or the base for something more exciting.

• 5/10

If you’re wondering how to actually turn these into something worthwhile, you’re in luck. I’ve been experimenting with a basic topping hack that I think makes these noodles shine, and I’ll be showing that off next. Check it out!