Noodle Journey Episode 38: Nissin Raoh Miso Ramen (US Version)

I’m revisiting the Nissin Raoh product line with their Miso flavor, hoping for redemption after being underwhelmed by their American Tonkotsu version. That one had great noodles but an off-putting yeast-heavy broth. This time around, I’m looking for something more balanced. My current favorite miso is Maruchan Gold Spicy Miso, so this also serves as a natural comparison point.

This pack costs around $2–$3 depending on where you shop and is widely available at most grocery stores and online. Sodium is high at 2290mg, which is 100% of your daily allowance, so plan accordingly. Inside the pack is a block of Raoh’s signature noodles and a liquid soup base. The base contains miso (most likely a blend with red miso based on the color) along with MSG, garlic, ginger, and tuna (presumably bonito). Like Maruchan Gold, this is not vegetarian because of that seafood content.

Noodles:
Same noodles as the Tonkotsu version, and I’m retroactively upgrading my original score. They’re thick, chewy, slightly flat, and have a really pleasing texture. I underrated them back in the early episodes – they deserve better, so here we are.
• 9/10

Spiciness:
This is a regular miso soup, not a spicy one. No chili powder or heat to speak of.
• 0/10

Overall:
This broth is extremely soybean-forward and very salty, with some really powerful savory umami notes. It’s comforting, rich, and has visible oil on the surface, which adds body without being greasy. The garlic comes through clearly, the ginger is subtle, and even though tuna is in the ingredients, there’s no fishy aftertaste to me. The flavor is exactly what I want from a miso soup, especially on a rainy day. The only thing missing is a garnish. I would’ve loved even a few dried green onions. As-is, this is just shy of perfect.
• 9.5/10

A quick comparison to Maruchan Gold Spicy Miso. The key difference is spice and bonito presence; Maruchan’s version leans harder on the fishy umami and chili, while this one is gentler and maybe a bit more traditional. I actually prefer the Raoh version for its balance and overall flavor. Maruchan’s noodles might have a very, very slight edge, but this broth is closer to what I expect from a classic miso ramen.

Notes since filming: Unfortunately, it appears that Nissin stopped exporting this variety to the USA, which is a damn shame because it was probably the best miso soup ever to be sold in American supermarkets. Fortunately, the Japanese version of this flavor is still being manufactured and isn’t terribly hard to find online for shipping.