I recently hit the milestone of 1,000 subscribers, and to celebrate, I’m finally compiling the first-ever Noodle Journey Top 10 Instant Noodles list. Over the course of this channel, I’ve reviewed a massive variety of noodles, but these ten are the absolute best-in-class for their categories, in my humble opinion. These are the varieties that blew me away when I tried them and that I keep stocked regularly in my pantry for when I’m not filming reviews.
This list is in no particular order. These are simply the major varieties that are easily obtainable and represent the pinnacle of my own instant noodle universe in 2024.
The 2024 Top 10 Standouts
• Nongshim Shin Black: Any Shin flavor could have made this list, but Shin Black is the most perfect introduction to spicy Korean ramyun for my money. It offers a savory, rich, medium-spiced beef broth that is a massive step up from the standard red pack. It is the ultimate base for adding your own proteins and vegetables.
• Marutai Kumamoto Black Garlic Oil Tonkotsu: Marutai is my favorite noodle brand, period. This stick ramen features a decadent pork bone broth paired with a punchy black garlic oil (mayu). It strikes the perfect balance of price, availability, and high-end flavor.
• Ramen Talk Taiwanese Brazed Beef: Ramen Talk is a brand more people need to know about. This isn’t just a snack; it’s a complete meal. It includes high-quality noodles and real, tender chunks of beef and beef tendon, exactly like what is pictured on the package.
• Maruchan Gold Soy Sauce: If you think soy sauce (shoyu) broth is boring, this will change your mind. It features a rich, compelling broth consistency and a deep umami profile. It is my reference point for a quick, savory meal. If you can’t find this one, Nissin Raoh Soy Sauce is a great alternative choice.
• Mom’s Dry Noodle Dandan Noodles: This is a masterclass in Taiwanese noodle texture. The air-dried noodles have a phenomenal mouthfeel, and the sauce is an incredibly complex mix of soy, chili oil, garlic, Sichuan peppercorn, and sesame paste.
• Myojo Ippei-chan Yakisoba with Mustard Mayonnaise: This is a perfect yakisoba. The chewy noodles, crunchy cabbage flakes, and zesty sauce are great on their own, but the inclusion of the mustard mayonnaise packet elevates this to a creamy, tangy level of deliciousness that I crave constantly.
• Prima Taste Singapore Curry La Mian: Don’t get me wrong, Prima Taste’s Laksa is also incredible and could have easily taken this spot, but the Singapore Curry gives it a slight edge for my taste buds. It features a thick, robust broth and premium noodles that are among the best you will ever eat. This is my favorite instant noodle curry.
• Samyang Buldak Cream Carbonara: There is a reason Buldak is everywhere beyond the marketing campaign: it tastes good. Cream Carbonara is my favorite of the line because it perfectly balances creamy, sweet, and savory notes with a spice level that is much more comfortable than the original.
• Indomie Mi Goreng: This is one of the most popular noodles in the world for a reason. For a ridiculously low price, you get a snack-sized flavor explosion. The separate sauce pouches allow you to customize the umami-rich experience exactly how you like it.
• Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper Crab: I never thought I’d be enthusiastic about Cup Noodles, but this flavor changed that. The broth is bold and punchy, and the included chunks of crab and vegetables turn a mediocre noodle texture into one of my favorite flavors.
Notes since filming:
I never deal in absolutes, which is why I won’t commit to saying any one noodle product is my number one of all time. I enjoy all of these for different reasons, and what awesome product I crave one day may not be what awesome product I crave another day. That’s why I filmed this list this way, and I will continue to do so with any future top lists.
