Noodle Journey Episode 80: Ramen Talk Taiwan Style Braised Beef Noodle Soup

I’m continuing my dive into Ramen Talk’s lineup with their Taiwan Style Braised Beef Noodle Soup, something I’ve been both hopeful and a little apprehensive about. This style of noodle soup has a special place in my heart because I used to frequent a fantastic Taiwanese noodle shop near me that unfortunately shut down recently. Their rich, aromatic beef soup with hand-shaved noodles was one of my favorite meals, and I’ve been craving a good substitute ever since. While I’m reviewing this product on its own merits, I’m quietly hoping it can capture even a fraction of what I used to enjoy.

Like the other entries in Ramen Talk’s premium product line, this one doesn’t come cheap at $7.20 a bag, slightly more than their usual $6.80. But considering the inclusion of actual slow-cooked beef and tendon, it makes sense. This one features the same flatter, thicker sun-dried noodles found in the Golden Sour Beef Soup, as well as a soup base, spicy sauce, pickled vegetables, and a surprisingly generous meat pack. The packaging also claims there are over 10 locally sourced spices in the broth.

Noodles:
These noodles are flat, chewy, and hearty, very much in line with what I’d expect from a proper Taiwanese-style noodle. They’re similar to A-Sha’s offerings and feel like a perfect match for this type of soup. A few of them came broken due to shipping, but what remained was excellent.
• 10/10

Spiciness:
Spice-wise, this lands in my medium range of tolerance. It’s assertive without being overwhelming, and it lingers nicely. Whether or not that matches the typical heat level of authentic versions outside of the restaurant I used to love, I couldn’t say, but it hits a satisfying balance.
• 5/10

Overall:
This is hands-down one of the best instant noodle products I’ve ever had. The broth is rich, oily, and incredibly flavorful, with strong beefy umami notes balanced by a little sweetness and what I’m guessing is some Chinese five spice. The pickled vegetables add a tart crunch, and the meat (yes, even the tendons) comes out tender and delicious. I was nervous about freeze-dried beef and tendon tasting off or weirdly preserved, but they exceeded expectations. This is one of those rare products that delivers exactly what the picture shows, or close to it, and actually tastes restaurant-caliber. It’s not cheap, but if you want something shelf-stable that mimics a real Taiwanese beef noodle soup experience without spending hours in the kitchen, this is absolutely worth picking up.
• 10/10

Notes since filming:

I loved almost the entire Ramen Talk product line, but this is the one that I’ve repurchased most. There’s nothing else like it on shelves in the USA.