Noodle Journey Episode 77: Ramen Talk Golden Sour Beef Soup

Ramen Talk is a little-known Chinese company, and the name is derived from their Chinese name, Lamianshuo, which translates to “Ramen Talk” or “Ramen Explain,” and they’re bringing something new to the instant noodle scene: restaurant-style bowls with artisanal noodles, real meat and fresh-like toppings, all shelf-stable and packed into a single serving bag. I first stumbled across their products at a store called S Mart in the greater Philadelphia area and couldn’t believe my eyes. I bought it, brought it home, cooked it, took one bite, and I knew I had to order the full lineup and review them all for you. This is a brand that deserves your attention in the premium noodle space.

Their Golden Sour Beef Soup is the first in this special series of reviews, and the ingredients are a striking example of what sets Ramen Talk apart form other brands. For $6–7 a pack, you get sun-dried noodles, a pork-based liquid broth, fresh pickled bamboo, dried bok choy, and actual slices of freeze-dried beef. It’s a relatively new concept to see meat-packed ramen in the US instead of soy protein, and I am here for it.

Noodles:
These artisanal sun-dried noodles are chewy, medium-thick, and a perfect match for the broth. They soak up flavor while holding their structure, and they have a terrific mouthfeel thanks to their whole-grain wheat texture.
• 10/10

Spiciness:
This one’s surprisingly spicy thanks to some sneaky little chili pepper and the vinegary tang of the pickled bamboo shoots. It’s stronger than medium, enough to make my nose run, but not overpowering.
• 6/10

Overall:
The broth has a wonderfully complex profile: salty, sour, savory, and just a little funky from the pickled bamboo, although not to the degree of something like luosifen. The pork base is rich and comforting, with the vinegar cutting through in a way that brightens the whole bowl. The bamboo shoots really stand out with their sharp, acidic kick, and the chili hidden inside adds a delayed heat that keeps things lively without overpowering the rest. The beef slices are soft and flavorful, a huge step above the freeze-dried meat you sometimes find in other high-end products, but there’s not a whole lot of them, which I would consider the only major downfall of this pack. Even the bok choy, while a minor player, brings a nice vegetal contrast. Aside from the beef (understandably), there’s no skimping on ingredients here, and everything feels thoughtfully composed. This tastes probably as close to something restaurant-quality as I’ve ever come across since I started reviewing noodles. For a shelf-stable product, this is a serious achievement, and I’m excited to keep going through the rest of the lineup. The small portion of beef won’t stop me from giving this a perfect score because I love the flavor and overall composition far too much.

• 10/10