Today, I’m reviewing Acecook Hao Hao Saté Onion, and to be perfectly frank, I’m not sure what this flavor is supposed to be. “Saté onion” doesn’t point to anything I can find via Google (aside from this specific product), so I’m going into this review trying to figure out what Acecook is aiming for – is it Indonesian satay with peanut and grilled meat notes, or the Vietnamese saté chili-lemongrass condiment? Neither of those things really makes me think of oniony noodles, so the origin of the name here is a bit of a mystery.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 116: Acecook Hao Hao Saté OnionNoodle Journey Supplement Review: Ramen Toppers Chashu Pork and Vegetables Mix
Note: This product underwent a drastic overhaul several months after I reviewed it and earned a much better score! Check out the updated review here.
I’m checking out another dried topping meant to dress up instant noodles, this time from a brand simply called Ramen Toppers. The thing that makes them unique among other dried topping manufacturers is clear: chashu pork and full-size narutomaki fish cake in the same jar, plus a pile of vegetables. It’s a neat idea if the proteins and textures hold up after rehydrating.
Read more: Noodle Journey Supplement Review: Ramen Toppers Chashu Pork and Vegetables MixNoodle Journey Episode 115: Paldo Gompaghetti
Today, I’m trying Paldo Gompaghetti, a Korean–Italian mash-up that promises a white, peppercorn-forward creamy sauce over thick noodles. I stumble on it during a recent Asian market run – one of those curveballs that jumps into my shopping cart because I just have to know what it tastes like. I’ve covered Paldo’s Premium Gomtang before, so the idea of fusing that savory base with a peppery “white pasta” vibe has me curious and a little wary. Fusion products can be great or a total misfire, but I’m going in hoping for a creamy comfort bowl that still feels distinctly Korean.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 115: Paldo GompaghettiNoodle Journey Episode 114: Ottogi Real Cheese Ramen
I’m closing out the Korean cheese trilogy with Ottogi Real Cheese Ramen. This is the only one of the three that uses a liquid cheese packet, so I’m expecting a different texture and a cheesier finish out of this than the powdered-only soups. There’s also some interesting surprises in the flake packet.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 114: Ottogi Real Cheese RamenNoodle Journey Episode 113: Ottogi Cheese Ramen
Moving on from the previous review of Paldo Cheese Ramyun, I’m continuing the cheesy Korean soup run with Ottogi Cheese Ramen. I haven’t had this one before, but I’ve had great luck with Ottogi’s Jin line, so if this is basically Jin-style red chili beef broth with a cheese packet, I’m optimistic.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 113: Ottogi Cheese RamenNoodle Journey Episode 112: Paldo Cheese Ramyun
I’m kicking off a cheese-centric trio of reviews with Paldo Cheese Ramyun. I’ve had this variety once long before the channel/website even began, so I’m curious how it holds up now, especially next to other cheesy Korean options I’ve covered. This is a soup noodle, not a sauce noodle, so the cheese is meant to round out a classic red-chili beefy broth rather than be a creamy sauce.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 112: Paldo Cheese RamyunNoodle Journey Episode 111: Momofuku Spicy Chili Noodles
Here’s the other currently-new product from Momofuku, their Spicy Chili Noodles. Coming right after Sweet & Spicy, the obvious question is whether this feels distinct from that one or Tingly Chili or is more or less a spicier version of either. The packaging is certainly similar to Sweet & Spicy, but the ingredients list is certainly different, so I’m curious how it actually eats vs. the rest of the product line.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 111: Momofuku Spicy Chili NoodlesNoodle Journey Episode 110: Momofuku Sweet & Spicy Noodles
After an insanely long wait for new flavors, today’s review is one of the two new flavors (as of August 2023) from Momofuku’s instant noodle lineup: Sweet & Spicy. Unlike their earlier offerings, which mostly leaned on soy and sesame profiles, this one brings a gochujang-style sauce that promises a balanced kick with some sweetness. The noodles are still made by A-Sha, so I’m already expecting top-notch texture, but we’re finally at a point where Momofuku is making their own sauce instead of repackaging an existing recipe from A-Sha. This feels like a smart pivot for Momofuku, moving into something with a different flavor profile and a fuller sauce compared to their original three flavors.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 110: Momofuku Sweet & Spicy NoodlesNoodle Journey Supplement Review: Ramen Bae Veggie Mix
Today I’m reviewing another noodle supplement from Ramen Bae – this time, their completely vegan and gluten-free Veggie Mix. I’ve covered Ramen Bae before in my review of their Classic Seafood and Vegetables Mix, which launched to a great reception after they sought feedback on Reddit. Many people immediately requested a vegetarian alternative without seafood, and this variety, released in June 2023, is the result. As with the previous version, this mix is designed to stir into any cup or bagged noodles for an extra boost of toppings.
Read more: Noodle Journey Supplement Review: Ramen Bae Veggie MixNoodle Journey Episode 109: Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup
I’m reviewing one of the most popular vegan instant noodle options out there: Nongshim’s Soon Veggie Noodle Soup. Since I tend to cover a lot of spicy, meat-based varieties, this feels like a good opportunity to check out something milder, vegan-friendly, and easy to find in the US. Vegans deserve solid noodle options too, and this one has been hyped online for years. It’s long overdue for a spot on my review list. As with most Nongshim products, my expectations are high, so I’m curious to see if it lives up to the praise.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 109: Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup