It’s another hot summer day, so I’m breaking into something cold for Episode 107: Nongshim’s Doong Ji Naengmyeon with Chilled Beef Broth. I first saw this style of noodle in a video from Esther Choi, where she prepared naengmyeon for Sean Evans, and it piqued my interest. I’ve tried other cold noodles before, like Nongshim’s Guksu Soba and Paldo’s Bibimmen, but naengmyeon is new territory for me. These thin, chewy noodles are typically made with wheat, buckwheat, and potato starch, and they’re traditionally served in a tangy, chilled broth, often as a refreshing follow-up to Korean BBQ. This one swaps in a beef-based broth, which should make for a very interesting experience.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 107: Nongshim Doong Ji Naengmyeon with Chilled Beef BrothNoodle Journey Episode 106: Maggi 2-Minute Masala Noodles
For today’s review, I’m diving into my very first Indian instant noodles and my first experience with the Maggi brand, with these 2-Minute Masala Noodles. I actually had something completely different planned for this review, but prior to filming, I met up with a friend from a neighboring state who handed me a couple of packs. These are likely the most popular Indian instant noodles in the world, yet I can’t find a single store near me that sells them, despite Nestlé distributing them in the US. I’ve been searching for any Maggi product for ages, so finally getting my hands on these feels like a small victory.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 106: Maggi 2-Minute Masala NoodlesNoodle Journey Episode 105: Rap Snacks Icon Ramen Noodles
Rap Snacks is a line of products that feature prominent hip-hop/rap artists putting their name, likeness, and endorsements on various things like chips, snacks, and these instant noodles. These dollar store staples have sparked some divisive opinions online, but they have a few unusual ingredients and flavor concepts that made me curious enough to grab the whole set. For this episode, I’m reviewing all three of the Rap Snacks Icon Ramen Noodle cups that are available at the time of review: Creamy Chicken Gumbo by Master P, Beef Prime Rib by E-40, and Louisiana Hot & Spicy Chicken by Boosie. Each cup is branded with the artist’s face, and while the presentation leans into novelty, the ingredient lists makes me hope they might be more interesting than expected.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 105: Rap Snacks Icon Ramen NoodlesNoodle Journey Supplement Review: Ramen Bae Classic Seafood and Vegetables Mix
For this supplemental review, I’m looking at the Classic Seafood and Vegetables Mix from Ramen Bae, a product designed to give your instant noodles a serious upgrade in toppings without a trip to the store. Ramen Bae is a small business that first popped up on Reddit earlier in 2023, went viral on TikTok, and quickly sold out of their first batch, followed by some distribution issues that commonly plague new businesses. They’ve since resolved their supply chain hiccups, and at the time of this review, their site is restocked.
Read more: Noodle Journey Supplement Review: Ramen Bae Classic Seafood and Vegetables MixNoodle Journey Episode 104: Myojo Ippei-chan Yakisoba with Mustard Mayonnaise
Today I’m diving into my second-ever yakisoba review with Myojo’s Ippei-chan Yakisoba. Myojo has a strong reputation for quality, and this one comes with something special: a mustard mayonnaise packet for garnish. It’s also my second time reviewing a Myojo product after their excellent refrigerated Shio Tonkotsu. This variety has a lot to live up to, especially given that there’s also a refrigerated fresh noodle version out there, which I can only imagine is even better.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 104: Myojo Ippei-chan Yakisoba with Mustard MayonnaiseNoodle Journey Episode 103: Pororo Cream Tteokbokki
This review is a bit of a departure. Rather than noodles, I’m trying an instant rice cake cup: Pororo Cream Tteokbokki. This licensed product, featuring the popular children’s character Pororo the penguin, appears to be marketed toward kids, but it works just as well as an accessible way for anyone to try tteokbokki. While the manufacturer is unclear to me (some online sources list Paldo, others MUKKO), I picked this up as an import from South Korea for $6. US shoppers can sometimes find these for $3–4 at Asian grocery stores or online.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 103: Pororo Cream TteokbokkiNoodle Journey Episode 102: Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper Crab
For this episode, I’m trying one of the more intriguing flavors from Nissin’s Hong Kong Cup Noodles lineup: 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.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 102: Nissin Cup Noodles Black Pepper CrabNoodle Journey Episode 101: Nongshim Shin Green
For Episode 101, I’m following up my Shin Gold review with Nongshim’s other recent addition to the Shin lineup: Shin Green. Released in the US in 2022, this variety started out as a Kroger-exclusive before finally making its way to other markets. This one takes Shin in a completely different direction: a certified vegan spicy mushroom and fried tofu soup. While many instant noodles happen to be vegan, Nongshim went the extra step to have this one officially certified, making it a notable option for vegan noodle fans. I’m not vegan myself, but as a mushroom fanatic, I was eager to see what they had done here, especially since early feedback from others has been very divided.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 101: Nongshim Shin GreenNoodle Journey Episode 100: Nongshim Shin Gold Ramyun
I’m marking the 100th episode milestone with a fitting choice: one of Nongshim’s two new additions (at the time of this review) to the Shin lineup, Shin Gold. Since starting this channel with reviews of Shin and Shin Black, it only feels right to celebrate with another Shin variety. This one is a spicy chicken ramyun that promises a rich, flavorful bone broth while keeping the same core appeal that’s made Shin products some of my all-time favorites. The classic Nongshim balance of taste, portion size, and availability is here, and it’s just as easy to enjoy straight from the pack as it is dressed up with add-ins.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 100: Nongshim Shin Gold RamyunNoodle Journey Episode 99: Samyang Buldak Jjamppong Ramen
I’m wrapping up my current stash of Buldak products with something you don’t often see in US supermarket aisles: Samyang’s Buldak Jjamppong. Jjamppong is a spicy seafood soup that originated in Nagasaki, Japan, before being adapted into various regional styles. The Korean take leans toward a red chili broth similar to Nongshim’s Neoguri, which I loved back in Episode 25. This is Samyang’s super-spicy version of that style—one of only two Buldak varieties that are soups rather than stir-fries.
Read more: Noodle Journey Episode 99: Samyang Buldak Jjamppong Ramen