With winter approaching, many of us in snow country like soup to warm us up. And when time is of the essence, instant ramen is a suitable option for many.

So the question here is what are your favorites?

Recently I started looking at alternatives to the standard supermarket fare (e.g. Maruchan, Nissin, etc.). NongShim Shin Black and Sapporo Ichiban Original flavor seem to garner praise but I haven't tried either as i haven't seen them available locally.

The instant Pho and clear noodles, made from mung bean. I get them from the local Asian markets

ETA: sorry not ramen

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
With winter approaching, many of us in snow country like soup to warm us up. And when time is of the essence, instant ramen is a suitable option for many.

So the question here is what are your favorites?

Recently I started looking at alternatives to the standard supermarket fare (e.g. Maruchan, Nissin, etc.). NongShim Shin Black and Sapporo Ichiban Original flavor seem to garner praise but I haven't tried either as i haven't seen them available locally.

Amazon.....

I prefer various made in Japan tonkotsu or shoyu (soy sauce) flavored ramen. Second will be Korean made like Nongshim. I prefer to avoid Taiwan and especially made in China.

BigSwede,
Pho is certainly a good option too. We have a couple of eateries that serve it but that's not an at home option. What brand instant do you get at your local Asian market?

konata88,
Are there any Japanese tonkotsu or shoyu on Amazon you'd recommend? I do see Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen Soup "Jyun-Jyo" base and Hakubaku ramen noodles.

Haven’t touched Ramen Noodles since college.

quote:

Originally posted by Dakor:
Haven’t touched Ramen Noodles since college.

Then why are you posting in my thread?

This one is my favorite.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
BigSwede,
Pho is certainly a good option too. We have a couple of eateries that serve it but that's not an at home option. What brand instant do you get at your local Asian market?

konata88,
Are there any Japanese tonkotsu or shoyu on Amazon you'd recommend? I do see Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen Soup "Jyun-Jyo" base and Hakubaku ramen noodles.

MAMA clear noodles. MAMA PHO clear soup. VIFON Pho Bo

quote:

Originally posted by ScreamingCockatoo:
This one is my favorite.

Good to know. We picked up a pair of those along with Maruchin Taste of Asia at the Commissary earlier this week but haven't tasted them yet.

I will take the regular ramen packs and add soy sauce, lime juice and chili paste to it.
Then shred up cabbage and thin sliced onions and toss in it.

I will occasionally get Maruchan Ramen, but I can only tolerate the Oriental flavor. Even then, I only use about 1/2 the pack. Sometimes I'll get a bag of frozen soup veggies and add that in there.

I like Maruchan Yakisoba, though it has been a while since I've had it. I recall liking their cheesy flavor...kind of like mac-and-cheese.

quote:

Originally posted by ScreamingCockatoo:
I will take the regular ramen packs and add soy sauce, lime juice and chili paste to it.
Then shred up cabbage and thin sliced onions and toss in it.

That sounds good!

JP

Maruchan is what I buy, but only because that's the only thing available locally. It makes a great suitcase food, and I'll usually take a supply of original beef, picante chicken, and chili flavored noodle packs with me.

These things cook up great in the electric boil kettles you can get at most hotels, and combined with some tobasco, it makes a delicious, fast meal.

I quit eating these years ago; way too much salt.

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
I quit eating these years ago; way too much salt.

Again, then why are you posting to this thread? We are all adults who can read ingredient lists and are aware of the high sodium content. That doesn't negate my opening query about personal favorites.

Granted my two rebukes thus far in this thread probably come across as a bit testy, but folks who post non contributory comments relative to the any OP's opening query simply baffle me. Again why post?

The Korean variety are good. They are not always ramen but instant noodles. Paldo makes a jjajangmen(black bean noodles) that are good. Get the vegetarian version. Their gomtang(gold package)is a white ramen and pretty delicious.

Some of you guys need to branch out more for your ramen...some suggestions I've seen here are on the level of Top Ramen (which I used to live on in college)

quote:

on Amazon

While I wouldn't pay the price they ask for on Amazon, these two aren't bad at all:

Myojo Chukazanmai - my personal favorite, but it only comes in 4 flavors (4 min cook time)
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=U...f=pd_sl_1j7a5lchz0_e

Sautao - larger varity of flavors and noodle widths (2 min cook time)
https://www.amazon.com/Sautao-...KXW6HMNAH5V5J38MP0EJ

Thanks guys. Keep the recommendations coming!

I will share my recipe for White Trash Ramen:
1- Prepare 2 packages your favorite brand of Ramen as per the package instructions. Drain off water after you mix in the flavor packet.
2- If your Ramen is chicken flavor, heat 1 can of Chicken Noodle soup. If beef flavor Ramen is used, heat a can of Vegetable Beef soup. I do not add water to the soup, since it tend make things a little to watery.
3- Mix the Ramen and the soup together.
Enjoy!
If you want to Deluxe it, use Campbells Chunky Soups!
Great for use in a thermos on a cold day.
Warning: Sodium Alert!

Wow...you guys really need to expand your ramen pallet.

Best instant ramen I've come across is out of South Asia, specifically Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. My favorite is Laksa La Mian from Prima Taste. This is premium stuff and it's worth it, most Asian markets won't carry it given it's price tag; buying the multi-packs is always the better option. The noodles actually have a chew that ramen aficionados can appreciate. The broth is fantastically tasty, and smooth...like Laksa. It'll smell awful when you're making it but, the taste, ohhh the taste. Add frozen shrimp and some bok choy to round it out during cooking and you've got a tasty meal.

If you like some next level spice, try this. It's just beyond my spice threshold and it'll make your kitchen smell like hell but, it's damn good.