Momofuku Sesame Miso Noodles mark the first major shift in the Momofuku noodle lineup in quite some time, and I am reviewing them today because this flavor launches alongside some big changes to the entire brand, which I covered in my September 2025 news post. Basically, Momofuku has a new manufacturing partner and has made adjustments meant to improve sauce coverage and reduce spice. I enjoyed a couple of the old Momofuku recipes but always wished for a few improvements, and this new direction promises to address those.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 203: Momofuku Sesame Miso NoodlesIt’s also worth addressing right now, early in this write-up, something that I talked about near the end of the video linked above, because I aim to be consistent about calling out companies for behavior that I find problematic. Momofuku founder David Chang made headlines last year for aggressively enforcing his trademark on the term “chili crunch,” which many people argued should never have been trademarked in the first place since it is a colloquial phrase used across multiple food cultures. His actions were legal, but they came across as bullying small Asian-American-owned businesses, and he only backed down and apologized after public pressure mounted. I mention it here for the sake of transparency because it is part of the broader conversation surrounding the brand, and ultimately I felt it was necessary to review these to give my honest opinion on both the product and the controversy. Whether Chang’s behavior affects your purchasing decisions is up to you, but it felt appropriate to acknowledge it at some point in the review.
I purchased this flavor in a four-pack for $9.99 at Target, and you can also find it in stores like Sprouts and Whole Foods where Momofuku products are normally sold, plus Momofuku’s website. These noodles are no longer produced by A-Sha Foods in Taiwan and are now manufactured in Korea, which is immediately noticeable because the A-Sha logo has been removed from the packaging. The company states that the new recipe provides 20% more sauce per serving, which must have been a common complaint from customers who felt the old packets did not always coat the noodles evenly.
Inside each bag, you’ve got flat, air dried medium gauge noodles, a thick sesame miso sauce packet, and a small garnish of sesame seeds. The sodium amount is 1120mg, which is pretty reasonable for a dry noodle meal. The aroma of the sauce is strong and rich right out of the packet, dominated by miso and sesame notes.
Noodles:
The noodles are excellent and maintain the exact characteristics people loved about the original A-Sha made versions. They have a thick, al dente bite and a satisfying chew that holds up well once the sauce coats every strand. Whoever the new manufacturer is, they recreated the texture with impressive accuracy.
• 10/10
Spiciness:
There is no heat here despite a tiny amount of black pepper in the seasoning blend. Anyone sensitive to black pepper might perceive a slight tingle, but for most people this is firmly in the non-spicy category.
• 0/10
Overall:
This flavor is one of those simple concepts executed perfectly. The sauce is thicker than previous Momofuku varieties and clings well to the noodles. The miso and sesame paste provide deep umami and nutty richness, while the garlic and black pepper add just enough supporting character to keep things interesting without complicating the flavor. I found this to be the best tasting Momofuku product to date. It is satisfying on its own and also works naturally as a base for added protein or vegetables. Nothing feels lacking or unfinished, and the overall insanely good flavor makes this a standout offering in the lineup.
• 10/10
