It’s not April Fool’s Day, but Nissin has once again gone completely off the rails. The new Nissin Cup Noodles Campfire S’mores is very real, and somehow even more absurd than it sounds. Coming from the same brand that gave us Pumpkin Spice, Breakfast, and Everything Bagel Cup Noodles, this dessert-themed entry takes the concept of novelty flavors to an entirely new level. As Nissin Japan launches a classy blowfish flavor, here in the US we’re stuck with marshmallow and chocolate noodles. The audacity is impressive, but the concept itself already feels like a dare, or even worse: something to get social media all abuzz.
Origin: USA
Ramen Toppers Chashu Pork, Fish Cake, & Vegetable Mix (2024 Recipe) Re-Review | Noodle Journey Supplemental Episode
I’m doing something I’ve never done before: a full re-review of a product that I didn't love originally. Back in September 2023, I covered Ramen Toppers Chashu Pork, Fish Cake & Vegetable Mix and walked away unimpressed. I found the pork to be tough and flavorless, the vegetables pale and unappealing, and at nearly twenty-five dollars a jar, I couldn’t justify recommending it. Fast-forward nine months, and the company themselves reached out to me to say they’d completely overhauled the recipe and wanted me to give it another shot. I respect any business that takes constructive feedback seriously, so when they offered to send me the updated version, I said yes without hesitation. If you watch the video above, you can see a comparison of the old recipe's contents to the new.
Nissin Hot & Spicy Fire Wok Bowls Mega-Review | Noodle Journey Episode 159
Today I’m covering the full set of Nissin Hot & Spicy Fire Wok Bowls: Sizzlin’ Rich Pork, Scorchin’ Sesame Shrimp, Molten Chili Chicken, and Volcanic Mongolian Beef. These aren’t part of the regular Hot & Spicy line, but while they use what I think is the same noodle base, they come with their own unique Fire Sauce recipes for extra heat. Each bowl aims for “restaurant-level” stir-fry flavor (Nissin's words, not mine) straight from the microwave, which sounds ambitious for a $2 cup of noodles. I’m testing them from mildest to hottest to see if any of them deserve a spot in your noodle rotation.
Ramen Bae Dried Enoki Mushroom Review | Noodle Journey Supplemental Episode
I’m reviewing the second of Ramen Bae’s new April 2024 products: Ramen Bae Dried Enoki Mushroom. Enoki mushrooms are those long, delicate strands you often find in Asian soups and hot pots, adding crunch and a mild, sweet mushroom flavor. They’re fantastic to cook with, but fresh enoki usually has a short shelf life and isn’t easy to find. I’ve got one Asian market about half an hour away that sells them, and they only last around a week before going bad. Ramen Bae’s dried version solves that problem with a pack that stays shelf-stable for over a year.
Ramen Bae Kimchi Mix Review | Noodle Journey Supplemental Episode
Ramen Bae has released another mix, and this time it’s one I’ve been waiting for: Ramen Bae Kimchi Mix. After their earlier Spicy Garlic Mix showed promise but stumbled on its overuse of subpar dehydrated egg, the company listened to feedback and reworked future batches. Seeing that kind of responsiveness made me eager to try their newest products, especially this one, which promises classic kimchi flavor in a shelf-stable form.
Nissin Cup Noodles Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese Review | Noodle Journey Episode 152
It must be April again, because Nissin has released yet another offbeat Cup Noodles flavor that sounds like a prank but isn’t. This time it’s Nissin Cup Noodles Everything Bagel with Cream Cheese, part of their growing list of limited-edition experiments like Pumpkin Spice and Breakfast Cup Noodles. Both of those turned out better than expected, so this one had me curious. I love everything bagel seasoning and cream cheese, just not necessarily together with noodles.
Just Sweet Sour Noodles Review | Noodle Journey Special Presentation
Just Sweet Sour Noodles is an imported Turkish “noodle” product I found at Dollar Tree, and it’s unlike anything I’ve ever reviewed. According to the label, these are sour noodles from a company called Just Sweet. I’ve never had noodles from Turkey before, and finding these at a dollar store seemed like destiny.
immi Black Garlic Chicken Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 148
immi Black Garlic Chicken Ramen has been showing up constantly in my targeted social media ads, so I decided it was finally time to see what all the hype is about. immi is a California-based ramen company founded in 2019 whose motto is “instant ramen reinvented.” They market themselves as a healthier alternative to other instant noodles: lower carb, higher protein, medium sodium, and both vegan and keto-friendly. That’s great on paper, but it comes with a steep price tag: $6 for a single 2.4-ounce pack.
Ramen Bae Dried Japanese Fish Cake aka Narutomaki Review | Noodle Journey Supplemental Episode
Ramen Bae Dried Japanese Fish Cake aka Narutomaki is a stealth release that slipped out sometime between their Veggie Mix and Spicy Garlic Mix. I completely missed it until recently and decided it deserved a review. While the Spicy Garlic Mix disappointed me, this one looked promising. And yes, to be clear, the full name of the product is indeed "Dried Japanese Fish Cake aka Narutomaki" as printed on the bag, which is kind of a mouthful but I guess it covers all of their bases.
Mike’s Mighty Good Craft Ramen Vegetarian Kimchi Ramen Soup Review | Noodle Journey Episode 145
Mike's Mighty Good Craft Ramen Vegetarian Kimchi Ramen Soup is my latest attempt at revisiting this brand, which I’ve often criticized for small portions, inconvenient cooking methods, and noodles that don’t live up to their marketing ploys. I did marginally enjoy their Fried Garlic Chicken and the Spicy Miso Soup they make for Trader Joe’s, so at a friend’s urging, I’m giving another flavor a fair shake. I love kimchi, and this one has gotten some mild buzz online. Mike’s products are widely available in grocery stores across the U.S., though they usually cost $3-4 per pack, which is terribly pricey considering the small size.










