Noodle Journey Episode 201: Nissin Cup Noodles Turkey Dinner Flavor

Nissin Cup Noodles Turkey Dinner Flavor arrives just in time for the November holiday season, and I am jumping back into video reviews, starting with this one because it’s a limited-time offering. This was released alongside the rebranded Pumpkin Pie version, which is identical to the Pumpkin Spice flavor from a few years back. I reviewed that in episode 43, so anyone curious about it can check that out.

I picked this up at Walmart for $1.18, and since these gimmick flavors often move to clearance as the season shifts, it may be worth grabbing a few while they are available. The sodium for the entire cup is reasonably moderate at 1170mg and the ingredients in the sauce include turkey broth, turkey fat, powdered chicken, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder There are also dried pieces of cranberries, corn, green beans, and textured soy protein meant to mimic turkey meat. It smells like powdered turkey gravy as soon as you remove the lid, a deeply nostalgic aroma that I have never associated with noodles. I’m cautiously optimistic because the overall profile leans toward comfort food rather than novelty.

Noodles:
Nissin’s noodle texture remains consistent with what I have said in many previous reviews. The noodles are just totally average. They cook up soft and get softer as they sit, yet I will concede that the texture kind of works for this specific recipe because it mimics the way ingredients blend together on a Thanksgiving plate, sort of like a stand-in for mashed potatoes.
• 5/10

Spiciness:
There is no heat here at all.
• 0/10

Overall:
This flavor completely surpassed my expectations. It tastes exactly like turkey gravy poured over a mixture of soft noodles, vegetables, and a few small soy protein pieces that convincingly resemble dark meat turkey in both flavor and texture. The corn and green beans hydrate nicely and finally give the corn a purpose that feels natural (to me) in an instant noodle. The nostalgic mix of gravy, vegetables, and soft starch truly captures the feeling of scooping together bites of Thanksgiving sides. It’s got a super-savory flavor with a combination of herbs that tastes like your standard poultry seasoning mix. I would honestly call this the first true success among the gimmick flavors that Nissin has released. I enjoyed it thoroughly and I’m going back to Walmart to buy more of these before they disappear. Surprisingly, but enthusiastically, recommended!
• 9/10