Noodle Journey Episode 67: Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein

I’m reviewing a viewer-recommended pack today: Sapporo Ichiban’s Chow Mein, which is a misnomer since this is actually yakisoba. You’ll spot “Chow Mein” on the packaging in English, but the Japanese text phonetically spells “Yakisoba,” and the ingredients back that up. It includes Worcestershire-style seasoning (minus the anchovies), which is a hallmark of yakisoba, not chow mein. The terms get used interchangeably in American contexts, but this is squarely a Japanese-style stir-fry noodle.

I picked this up for 99 cents at a local Asian market, though prices typically range from $1 to $2 depending on where you shop. Unfortunately, major US grocery chains near me don’t stock it. But if you can find it, it’s a great deal, especially since it appears to be vegan (unless the “natural flavor” mentioned on the packaging is cause for alarm). The sauce packet includes MSG, sugar, tomato powder, tamarind, and spices, while the topping packet has a generous amount of dried seaweed. There’s no mayo packet like some instant yakisoba, so I’m reviewing this as-is, but you’ll likely want to garnish this with some Japanese mayonnaise if you have it on hand.

Noodles:
These are clearly designed for stir-fry, with a firmer bite and better sauce absorption than Sapporo Ichiban’s soup noodles. They’re sturdy, springy, and flavorful on their own, thanks in part to MSG in the noodle dough itself. For a budget noodle, they came out very well.
• 8/10

Spiciness:
There’s a very faint zesty zing here, likely from the spices and tomato powder, but nothing that would register as spicy. It’s a 0 unless you’re unusually sensitive.
• 0/10

Overall:
This is a comfort food win. The sauce brings a balanced mix of sweet, salty, and acidic, with a gentle fruity tang from tomato and tamarind. The Worcestershire profile is toned down without the expected fishiness, making it a bit more accessible for those who may dislike traditional Worcestershire sauce flavor. The seaweed topping adds a savory, umami boost that pulls it all together nicely. For a dollar, this is an incredible value. It’s satisfying right out of the pack, but you could easily turn it into a full meal with some veggies or protein, and don’t forget about that mayonnaise garnish. I’ll definitely be stocking up and using this as a dinner base going forward.
• 9/10