Nissin Demae XO Sauce Seafood Flavor Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 125
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Nissin Demae XO Sauce Seafood Flavor Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 125

This one is pretty interesting and is a flavor profile I've never tried before: Nissin Demae XO Sauce Seafood Flavor Ramen. XO sauce is a Cantonese condiment made from dried seafood cooked with chilies, onions, and garlic (and sometimes ham). The “XO” name comes from XO Cognac, which has been colloquially adopted in China as shorthand for luxury, despite there being no cognac in the sauce. Based on that, I’m expecting a funky, salty-sweet, very seafood-forward broth with a little heat and some oil for richness.

JML Instant Noodle Artificial Mushroom Chicken Flavour Review | Noodle Journey Episode 124
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JML Instant Noodle Artificial Mushroom Chicken Flavour Review | Noodle Journey Episode 124

Today, I'm checking out a new-to-me Chinese noodle company called JML ( short for JinMaiLang), with their JML Instant Noodle Artificial Mushroom Chicken Flavour. I’m going into this one with a specific curiosity: there’s been a big swing toward artificial meat flavors in products exported to the U.S., largely because importing real-meat noodle packs is difficult under USDA rules. In practice, “meat” gets approximated with yeast extract, maltodextrin, soy protein, and similar additives - sometimes convincingly, sometimes not - so I’m treating this as a flavor exercise first and seeing where it lands.

Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper Crab Review - Noodle Journey Episode 102
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Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper Crab Review | Noodle Journey Episode 102

For this episode, I’m trying one of the more intriguing flavors from the Hong Kong Cup Noodles lineup: Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper Crab. This variety caught my attention after a Reddit post claimed it was disappearing from store shelves, which made me even more curious to find and review it. Black pepper crab is a Singaporean classic, made by frying whole crabs in black pepper and aromatics, and this cup promises to deliver a version of that rich, peppery seafood experience. Like most cup noodle offerings, I know the noodles themselves won’t be the star, but the flavor could be.

Ramen Talk Pepper Crispy Pork Noodles Review - Noodle Journey Episode 83
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Ramen Talk Pepper Crispy Pork Noodles Review | Noodle Journey Episode 83

I’m closing out this series with Ramen Talk Pepper Crispy Pork Noodles, the only dry noodle option in their current US lineup. After several soup-based varieties, this one promises something entirely different: a saucy, intense, and potentially crunchy experience. The packaging shows plump pork nuggets and a thick coating of sauce, which sets high expectations. I’ve really enjoyed Ramen Talk’s inventive takes so far, so I was looking forward to this one despite my hesitation around the "crispy pork" concept.

Ramen Talk Tomato Tonkotsu Ramen Review - Noodle Journey Episode 82
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Ramen Talk Tomato Tonkotsu Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 82

Ramen Talk continues to surprise me with their unique and premium lineup, and this Ramen Talk Tomato Tonkotsu Ramen is no exception. I’ve never encountered anything quite like it before, a fusion of rich pork bone broth and tomato paste that promises an umami-forward, slightly sweet and acidic twist on a classic tonkotsu. Whether or not this combination is authentic to any region of Japan is unclear, but it certainly caught my attention. Since I found the basic tonkotsu flavor slightly underwhelming, I’m hoping this variation delivers a bit more punch.

Ramen Talk Japanese Volcano Bolognese Ramen Review - Noodle Journey Episode 81
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Ramen Talk Japanese Volcano Bolognese Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 81

Ramen Talk has been one of the most interesting brands I’ve explored lately, offering premium-level instant noodles with unique flavor profiles and an elevated presentation. Ramen Talk Japanese Volcano Bolognese Ramen is their latest release on their website as of March 2023, though I actually spotted it on shelves at my local S Mart a month earlier. The name suggests an Italian-Japanese hybrid, but as you'll find out, that label may be a little misleading.

Ramen Talk Taiwan Style Braised Beef Noodle Soup - Noodle Journey Episode 80
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Ramen Talk Taiwan Style Braised Beef Noodle Soup Review | Noodle Journey Episode 80

I'm continuing my Ramen Talk marathon with Ramen Talk 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.

Ramen Talk Tonkotsu Ramen - Noodle Journey Episode 79
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Ramen Talk Tonkotsu Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 79

Ramen Talk continues to impress with its premium, shelf-stable ramen kits that go beyond the typical instant noodle experience. This time, I’m digging into Ramen Talk Tonkotsu Ramen, which comes with a pretty wild inclusion: a full slice of pork belly. I’ve reviewed some heavy hitters in the tonkotsu category before, so I’m eager to see how this one stacks up against the likes of Marutai, Myojo, and even Ichiran.

Ramen Talk Tom Yum - Noodle Journey Episode 78
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Ramen Talk Tom Yum Review | Noodle Journey Episode 78

This time, I’m continuing my exploration of the premium lineup from Ramen Talk with their Ramen Talk Tom Yum "Goong" flavor... sort of (more on that below). I recommend checking out the previous review of their Golden Sour Beef Soup first, since I go over a lot of background on the company there. But for the uninitiated: Ramen Talk is a Chinese instant noodle company that takes pride in using real whole ingredients, which they freeze-dry and pack alongside their sun-dried noodles. Everything you see on the packaging is in the product - yes, even the seafood.

Ramen Talk Golden Sour Beef Noodle Soup - Noodle Journey Episode 77
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Ramen Talk Golden Sour Beef Noodle Soup Review | Noodle Journey Episode 77

This review kicks off a small marathon with Ramen Talk Golden Sour Beef Noodle 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." They’re bringing something new (at least to me) 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 this particular variety, 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.