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Marutai Nagasaki Agodashi Soy Sauce Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 49

This specialty ramen, Marutai Nagasaki Agodashi Soy Sauce Ramen, stands out in Marutai's “Local Series” as the only seafood-forward entry. It’s based on a regional shoyu broth that features agodashi, or charcoal-grilled flying fish broth, which adds a sweet and smoky dimension to the flavor. This flavor aims to deliver a lighter take on soy sauce ramen with a seafood-driven twist that’s still hopefully accessible even to non-fish fanatics.

Marutai Hakata Soy Sauce Tonkotsu Ramen Review - Noodle Journey Episode 48
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Marutai Hakata Soy Sauce Tonkotsu Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 48

This Marutai Hakata Soy Sauce Tonkotsu Ramen marks the beginning of an annual holiday tradition here at Noodle Journey: the Merry Marutai Marathon. Marutai is legendary among enthusiasts for its 'Bo-Ramen' (stick ramen) format, which offers a texture far superior to the flash-fried bricks of things like Cup Noodles. This specific Hakata variant strikes a balance between a creamy pork bone base and the savory bite of soy sauce.

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Nissin Cup Noodle Original Review | Noodle Journey Episode 47

I’m wrapping up the current lineup of Nissin’s Global Favorites with the Nissin Cup Noodle Original flavor, the third and final variety in this US-made series. While the name suggests this is the same recipe that launched Cup Noodle in Japan in 1971, it’s actually more of an homage. This version features an American-made version of that recipe, which contains salty soy broth with dehydrated shrimp, egg, and what Nissin affectionately calls “mystery meat.” Some fans online have claimed it doesn’t taste like the original they remember, which might be due to the glaring “No Added MSG” label. That decision seems geared toward appeasing American shoppers who still think it’s 1987 and MSG is something to fear.

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Nissin Cup Noodle Curry Review | Noodle Journey Episode 46

I'm revisiting Nissin's Global Favorites line with the Nissin Cup Noodle Curry flavor, manufactured in the US despite being based on a classic Japanese variety. Japanese curry is one of my favorite comfort foods. It's thick, mildly sweet, and richly spiced. I regularly buy Vermont Curry roux cubes to make it at home, and while the name "Vermont" would suggest otherwise, it's very much a Japanese product. Japanese curry tends to use honey or fruit for sweetness and has a silky texture with very little heat, even when labeled “hot.”

Itsuki Hakata Osshoi Tonkotsu Ramen - Noodle Journey Episode 45
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Itsuki Hakata Osshoi Tonkotsu Ramen | Noodle Journey Episode 45

After enjoying Itsuki's Hokkaido Yuzushio Ramen in the last review, today I'm reviewing Itsuki Hakata Osshoi Tonkotsu Ramen, a vegan take on the famously rich and milky pork bone broth of Hakata-style ramen. This is my second Itsuki review in a row, and I couldn't resist trying it after seeing it sitting there unused in the last episode. Hakata tonkotsu is the same style as Ichiran and is known for a deeply savory, oily broth and thin, floury, non-fried noodles. Despite the name redundancy ("Hakata" already implies tonkotsu from Fukuoka) the “Osshoi” in the product name has cultural weight. It's a cheer shouted during the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, embodying energy and tradition, and adds a festive character to the branding.

Itsuki Hokkaido Yuzushio Ramen Review - Noodle Journey Episode 44
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Itsuki Hokkaido Yuzushio Ramen Review | Noodle Journey Episode 44

I’m trying something completely different today: a Yuzu-flavored noodle from Itsuki, specifically their Itsuki Hokkaido Yuzushio Ramen variety. This is the first time I’ve ever had anything with Yuzu, so I’m going in blind but excited. Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit that falls somewhere between lemon and grapefruit, and while a few ramen varieties use it, this is the first one I’ve come across in person. I picked this up at my local Asian grocery store for $4.79, but it’s also available online from sites like Yami and Asian Food Grocer. This package contains two servings, which makes the price pretty reasonable.

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Nissin Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice Flavor Review | Noodle Journey Episode 43

I'm diving into what might be the strangest product I’ve ever reviewed: Nissin Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice flavor. Yes, it’s real. This seasonal item first launched in fall 2021 and returned in 2022, showing up in stores across the US between September and November. I didn’t expect to find one this late in the season, but there it was on clearance at a local supermarket, because of course it was.

Nongshim Angry Chapaguri Review - Noodle Journey Episode 42
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Nongshim Angry Chapaguri Review | Noodle Journey Episode 42

Today I'm trying out the Korean import of Nongshim Angry Chapaguri Bowl, a product that blends two existing Nongshim classics: Chapagetti, their mild black bean noodle, and Neoguri, their spicy seafood udon. This mashup has gained global popularity thanks to its appearance in Parasite and seems to be a staple in Korean instant noodle culture, often referred to Ram-don. While the original hack required mixing the two packs, this pre-packaged version offers a more convenient alternative, with an increased spice level (hence the "Angry").