Wow okay so for the 150th review here on ramenrater.com I thought I’d go for something really different. This is a big ass bowl noodle with fresh noodles! Should be interesting!

8.67 ounces. Jeez that’s a lot more than is realistically needed.

Three packets: noodles (it would’ve been horrible if they hadn’t labeled it because I would have never figured that out), soup base (the dark packet) and the veggies in the silver packet. It felt like a little brick was inside there…

When I opened the soup base I almost got whiplash – the fish odor was intense. The directions said to put it and the noodles in the bowl and fill up to the line with hot water and then microwave for 3 minutes. I did so and stirred and was greeted by these enormous noodles swimming in a deep red broth. The next step was to add the vegetables. So that little silver packet did have a strange little cubelike thing in it! I dropped it in the soup and watched it dissolve and then gave it all a final stir…

Here’s what you get (click image to enlarge). Wow – was not at all what I expected. It’s actually pretty good. The noodles are huge – nothing in the western diet really compares to Udon noodles. If you leave some spaghetti noodles in a bath of water overnight they still won’t swell up to the thickness of Udon and won’t be a chewy and nice. These were “fresh” as they call them, so they’re a mark above a noodle block you’d find in other instant packs or bowls. The broth is thick and rich; it is truly hot and spicy. It also has a definite seafood flavor – not sure what kind of seafood, but it’s in the ‘of the sea’ category for sure. Finally, the vegetables were a big surprise. I’ve never seen veggies supplied in this way – they’re always loose except for one instance. This little cake or sponge of veggies was a lot of fun and worked great and re-hydrated with a couple stirs. Overall, this has been quite the adventure for the palate as well as  a lot of fun to make. I’m giving this bowl a 4.25 out of 5.0 stars. Very unique and flavorful.

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Topokki time! Okay so you’re probably thinking ‘what? Yesterday he reviewed rice porrige and now it’s rice cake?!’ Well, this one has topokki (Korean rice cake) as well as noodles in it. One thing to note as well – see where it says to keep it refrigerated? I saw pallets of these where I got it that weren’t. To be honest, I think putting that on certain instant products that have these kind of fresh noodle packs inside is a way to give the illusory guise of something less shelf stable, making one think it’s higher quality. Honestly though, that kind of thing doesn’t really phase me. So! What is topokki? Wikipedia for ya –

Tteokbokki (떡볶이; also known as teokbokki, ddeokbokki, topokki, and dukboki)^[1][2] is a popular Korean snack food made from soft rice cake, fish cake and sweet red chili sauce.^[3] It is commonly purchased from street vendors or pojangmacha. Originally it was called tteok jjim (떡찜) and was a savory braised dish of sliced rice cake, meat, eggs, and seasoning.

Following the Korean War, a new type of tteokbokki became very popular. While the older version was a savory dish, this latter type was much spicier, and quickly became more popular than the older traditional dish. In addition to traditional ingredients, this tteokbokki used gochujang, a fermented, spicy paste made from chilli peppers, along with fish cakes. Other ingredients added to tteokbokki include boiled eggs, pan-fried mandu (Korean dumplings), sausages, ramyeon (which then becomes rabokki/labokki 라볶이), a variety of fried vegetables, and cheese. These days, many kinds of tteokbokki are popular such as seafood tteokbokki(해물 떡볶이) or rice tteokbokki(쌀떡볶이). Flour tteokbokki was popular in early days, but rice tteokbokki is more popular these days. Sindang-dong in Seoul, where tteokbokki was first sold, is still very famous for the dish and treated as the mekkah or the center of tteokbokki. Since tteokbokki has become one of the most popular dishes, one will easily find a place to enjoy eating tteokbokki in Korea.

So topokki is a chewy, savory and spicy conglomeration of pure love and joy. It’s one of my absolute favorite South Korean foods. Recently, my wife and I discovered Chi Mc food – it’s kind of what you’d consider Korean bar food. The place we found has cream cheese topokki which is quite possibly the finest food ever to pass into my being. The fried chicken’s amazing too. I’ll stop drooling now – on with the Hurricane!

Here’s detail from the side panels (click image to enlarge). Contains fish. To prepare, empty everything out into the big cup. Add hot water to the fill line and stir. Cover very loosely and microwave for 3.5 minutes. Stir and enjoy! NOTE – usually since microwave times are for 600w microwaves and I have an 100w, I tried it at power level 6 and it didn’t work. I recommend 1000w at the 3.5 minutes and slightly longer for lower wattage ovens.

Detail of the lid (click image to enlarge).

An included fork!

A fresh noodle block.

The topokki pouch – there’s a sachet of silica gel/dessicant inside – DO NOT EAT IT unless you want your meal to become TRAGIC.

The soup base sachet.

A little powder but mostly dehydrated vegetable.

The sauce sachet.

Has a spicy sweet and spicy scent.

Finished (click image to enlarge). Added spring onion and kamaboko. The noodles came out quite nicely – a good texture. The topokki came out a little on the rubbery side; it really needed more time in the old microwave. I ran mine at 50% power thinking that a full 1100w would kill it, but I think that 1100w would probably be perfect. The taste is spot on – fiery topokki! It’s kind of like Chef Boyardee met the grim reaper – sweet and savory meets fiery heat. This is kind of like a sauce I would liken to adult Spaghetti-O sauce – delightfully good. The vegetables hydrated very nicely. This is a bowl to covet. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 788821003805.

I tell you what – this is amazing stuff. You could make one seriously bad ass lasagna ala Korea with it – like an inferno of deliciousness. ChoripDong Tokpokki (Spicy Rice Cake) Cooking Sauce

This is a perfect recipe for topokki – trust me on this you need to try it if you haven’t.

The post #1658: Choripdong Hurricane Rice Cake (Topokki) appeared first on The Ramen Rater.

Another year’s gone by and here we are again with the new bowls list. A lot of really interesting ones this go around and some old favorites. At the point of putting this list out, I’ve almost hit 1,700 reviews. Of those, these are in my opinion the best tasting and the most memorable varieties. With that, allow me to present The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls 2015 Edition.

Just like with the regular top ten, I did a countdown video!

#10 – Hao Way Penang White Curry Instant Bowl Noodles – Malaysia

As you know from my Top Ten packages list, I’m a big fan of curry – especially Malaysian curry. This bowl boasts a thick and chewy noodle and a strong white curry flavor. Original review here

#9 – Nissin King Spa王 (Spa Oh) Tarako Spaghetti – Japan

Here’s one where the liquid is drained off. Tarako is a fish roe based sauce used in Japanese pasta dishes. The flavor is very good and the noodles came out just right. The seaweed bits go very nicely as well. Original review here

#8 – Maruchan Big Cup Ramen Corn, Salt & Butter Flavor – Japan

Another one from Japan. This one was a real treat – scads of corn and even a little block of butter inside! Definitely unique. Original review here

#7 – Paldo Jjamppong Seafood Noodle King Bowl – South Korea

Thick and chewy ramyun noodles are augmented by a broth with a good consistency – a little thickness was very good. Also a slightly sweet, seafood and spicy flavor to it I thoroughly enjoyed. Original review here

#6 – Acecook Comet Mori Yukino Tan-tan Men – Japan

This stuff is very red! The noodles are broad and flat. They have a very nice chew to them and are of a premium type. The broth is very rich and oily. It has a strong spiciness and is almost thick – but not in a bad way. A rich pork flavor abounds. The veggies and other bits hydrated quite nicely. Original review here

#5 – Unif Man Han Feast Sichuan Chili Eel Flavor Instant Noodle – Taiwan

The noodles are flat and broad. They have a nice quality to them; not too chewy but very good for a bowl noodle. The broth is rich with a good spiciness. The added bonus with this is the eel – it’s really good! Everything is rich and hearty and it’s definitely a feast to behold and consume. I should also note – this is one of a line that includes a braised beef variety amongst others. I would very much like to review every one of these, both in pack and bowl form. If you can source them and would like to send me some, please use the above contact form to do so! Thanks! Original review here

#4: Paldo Jjajangmen Chajang Noodle King Bowl – South Korea

Another in Paldo’s King Bowl line. Again, this one has thick and chewy ramyun but is a broth-free variety, coated with a delicious and savory black bean chajang sauce. Sticks-to-your-ribs! Original review here

#3 – Plats Du Chef Cuisine Adventures Chicken Phở Soup – Canada

I have to say this was a great surprise. I have had a throng of horrible Canadian instant noodles – in cups, bowls, packs – just horrible. This one is a diamond in the rough. It includes excellent rice noodles, a very tasty pho broth and to top it off, it’s got real chicken! This is a bowl to behold. Original review here

#2 – Nissin Raoh Rich Soy Sauce Flavor – Japan

Slipping to second place this year is Nissin’s Raoh. The noodles and broth play so nicely together and the pork is quite good. A bowl of noodles to really enjoy by candlelight. Note – Japanese varieties have become very hard for me to come by. If you would like to donate some varieties found in Japan, please use the contact link above! Thank you! Original review here

#1 – Choripdong Hurricane Rice Cake Topokki – South Korea

It’s red. It’s got a thick spicy and sweet sauce. It’s got ramyun. It’s got topokki. This was a real find – Just looking at the picture makes me want some right this instant. The most wonderful big bowl of noodles I’ve ever had. Original review here

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South Korea has the highest per person consumption of instant noodles in the world. It’s not a surprise that their instant noodle are quite good – usually the noodles (known as ramyun) are thicker and accompanied by a spicy broth. These are my very favorite varieties of South Korean instant noodles – hope you enjoy!

#10: Paldo Kko Kko Myun

This one is like a bowl of candy to me. We start with nice quality noodles, and then the broth takes over. The broth has a kind of chicken and jalapeno flavor to it. The flavors play off of each other quite nicely and deliver both a strong bite as well as a mellow comfort food flavor in one bowl. The vegetable packet includes little chicken pieces. Original review

#9: Paldo Jjamppong Seafood Noodle King Bowl

Thick and chewy ramyun noodles are augmented by a broth with a good consistency – a little thickness was very good. Also a slightly sweet, seafood and spicy flavor to it I thoroughly enjoyed. Original review here

#8: Samyang Foods Red Nagasaki Jjampong

The noodles are perfect – what I like to find in ramyun! Thick and chewy. The broth is amazing – an excellent level of heat balanced with a respectable amount of seafood flavor. The added vegetable pieces hydrated quite well. Top notch! Original review

#7: Paldo King Bowl Super Spicy Pan Stirfried Noodle

The noodles are of a good ramyun gauge – lots of them as well. The flavor is a kind of seafood and spicy thing and there’s a sweetness going on as well. The supplied vegetables did great – this was an amazingly good stir noodle! Original review

#6: Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup

This is the first instant noodle on the top ten to be marketed towards vegetarians. What surprised me about it was the broth had such a full flavor to it; deep and satisfying. The noodles are slightly larger in gauge than your run of the mill instant, which is common of South Korean ‘ramyun.’ Magnificent stuff! Original review

#5: Nongshim Zha Wang (Jjawang) Noodles With Chajang Sauce

The noodles are out of this world – soft and chewy, with a nice width and thickness – very hearty. The sauce coats everything and there’s more than enough of it. It has a rich black bean flavor augmented with peas, cabbage and other veggies. This is the best jjajang I’ve ever tried. Original review

#4: Paldo Cheese Noodle

These noodles – wow. I think the best addition to South Korean ramyun has to be cheese. Well, not only is cheese included here but it’s got just the perfect notes of spiciness and strong, rich flavor. The little guy with the sign that says cheese noodle rocks as well. Original review

#3: Paldo Rabokki Noodle

The noodles plumped up just perfectly – thick and a good chew. The broth is more of a sauce and it’s very rich – spicy and sweet – like an adult version of Spaghetti-O’s which I find delectable. Original review

#2: Nongshim Jinjja Jinjja

The noodles are very good – nice thick ramyun. The broth has a seriously spicy kick to it and a very peanut aroma with pork notes. The vegetables hydrated very well. Back with a vengeance! Original review

#1: ChoripDong Hurricane Rice Cake

It’s red. It’s got a thick spicy and sweet sauce. It’s got ramyun. It’s got topokki. This was a real find – Just looking at the picture makes me want some right this instant. The most wonderful big bowl of noodles I’ve ever had. Original review here

The post The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2016 Edition appeared first on The Ramen Rater.

South Korean instant noodles are known around the world as being spicy and beefy for the most part. However, there are many different styles. In fact, seafood jjamppong, black bean jjajang, cold noodles, and creamy beef noodles exist in the scene. Today, I’ll do a rundown of my favorites – the best of the highest rated South Korean varieties from over 2,300 unique varieties I’ve reviewed from around the world. Finally, I would like to note that it’s tougher to find South Korean varieties. Therefore, any instant noodle companies from South Korea should contact me promptly to be considered for upcoming top ten lists. Let’s get started.

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

This year’s video presentation with some extras!

#10: Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup

This is the first instant noodle on the top ten to be marketed towards vegetarians. What surprised me about it is that the broth has such a full flavor to it; deep and satisfying. The noodles are slightly larger in gauge than your run of the mill instant, which is common of South Korean ‘ramyun.’ Magnificent stuff! Original review here

#9: Samyang Foods Cheese Curry Ramyun

The noodles are of a decent ramyun gauge and hydrate nicely in the three minutes directed. In addition, the broth is thick with a very nice kind of creamy curry flavor. Finally, an inkling of spiciness. Beautiful stuff! Original review here

#8: Nongshim Zha Wang (Jjawang) Noodles With Chajang Sauce

The noodles are out of this world – soft and chewy, with a nice width and thickness – very hearty. The sauce coats everything and there’s more than enough of it. Finally, its thick, rich black bean flavor is has peas, cabbage and other veggies. This is the best jjajang I’ve ever tried. Original review here

#7: Paldo Cheese Noodle

These noodles – wow. Arguably the best addition to South Korean ramyun has to be cheese. Well, not only is cheese included here but it’s got just the perfect notes of spiciness and strong, rich flavor. The little guy with the sign that says cheese noodle rocks too! Original review here

#6: Nongshim Champong Noodle Soup Spicy Seafood Flavor

These noodles are big and plump and chewy – wider as well. They’re fantastic! Would love to see a Shin Ramyun using this noodle! The broth is equally wonderful insofar as the flavor has this taste and smell. It has a seafood barbecue kind of taste. The oil adds a nice extra to the broth. Spicy, tasty and awesome! Original review here

#5: Paldo Rabokki Noodle

The noodles plump up perfectly – thick and a good chew. The broth is more of a sauce and it’s very rich – spicy and sweet – like an adult version of Spaghetti-O’s which I find delectable. Original review here

#4: Nongshim Jinjja Jinjja

The noodles are very good – nice thick ramyun. In addition, I have read that they are augment them with chilli pepper in them as well. Next, the broth has a seriously spicy kick to it and a very peanut aroma with pork notes. Finally, the vegetables hydrate very well. Back with a vengeance! Original review here

#3: Nongshin Chal Bibim Myun

First, the noodles are nice and thick with a great chew – ramyun through and through. Second, the sauce works extremely well. It’s sweet and spicy and works perfectly with a cold noodle. Finally, the flavor is nice and crisp while smooth and effective. Original review here

#2: ChoripDong Hurricane Rice Cake

Very red. It’s got a thick spicy and sweet sauce. Fresh ramyun. It’s got topokki. Indeed, this is a real find – Just looking at the picture makes me want some right this instant. Slipping from #1 to #2 this year. Original review here

#1: Paldo Budae Jigae

As always, I’m shocked when something comes across my desk that’s unlike anything I’ve reviewed. In the first place, the noodles are great – thick ramyun. Indeed they are chewy and thick gauge. The broth is really good; thicker than most and has a kind of ‘boiling with hot dogs in it all day’ kind of thing going on. Moreover, the included garnish is a real treat as it contains not only beans, processed meat and slices of sausage, but pieces of macaroni as well. This one really goes above and beyond on this one – I’m impressed. Original review here

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The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2017 Edition is a list of the best bowls I’ve tried of the over 2400 reviews posted to date. Bowls are interesting insofar as they often contain extra things, since there is more room for sachets, spoons, fork, etcetera. As always, I implore instant noodle manufacturers to contact me – I would love to review your products and all it costs is sending some samples and your time! So sit back, grab a bowl, some hot water, peel back the lid, stir – and enjoy!

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2017 Edition

A video presentation of the list.

#10 – JML Spicy King Bowl Noodle Spicy Chicken Noodle – China

The noodles as usual plumped up nicely as they engorged themselves on the broth. good gauge, good chew. The broth is definitely strong and worthy of the top ten spicy list – it means business! Sichuan chilli heat is abundant. The oiliness is great and the hydrated vegetable bits are good as well – a tasty spicy bowl. Original review

#9 – Seven & I (Nissin) Gold Sumire Ramen – Japan

The noodles are thick and chewy – very premium. The broth has a very rich miso flavor that had a little thickness and a nice oiliness. The vegetables and bits hydrated perfectly – nice bits of ground meat and menma float happily about and are of good quality. Original review

#8 – Tokushima Seifun Yakibuta Ramen – Japan

The broth has a nice saltiness and soy flavor with just a little touch of sweetness. The pork flavor finds it’s way into the broth as well which is spectacular. The pork has a nice sweetness and ‘fall off the bone’ texture to it which is pure delicacy. The army of decent sized slices of narutomaki were amazing, and the spring onion and bamboo shoots were perfect. A bowl of amazing taste and quality. Original review

#7 – Nissin Raoh Rich Soy Sauce Flavor – Japan

Raoh’s noodles are great – premium and chewy. The broth is thick and rich with a strong shoyu taste which satisfies. The garnish includes a nice slice of chashu pork. Original review

#6 – Uni-President Man Han Feast Braised Pork Flavor Instant Noodles Bowl – Taiwan

First, the noodles have a little bit thicker a gauge than most instant varieties. Indeed they are premium although a slight bit softer than one might expect. The broth is a sea of rich pork flavor – different than many. As a matter of fact, this really REALLY has a nice pork flavor; most pork varieties don’t have a great pork taste as the pork taste they do have get overshadowed by saltiness. The vegetables hydrated well and the pork was very good. Original review

#5 – Uni-President Man Han Feast Super Hot Pot Beef Flavor Instant Noodles – Taiwan

So the noodles are broad and flat with a light chew and an excellent quantity. The broth is a tour de force of beef taste. It has a good thickness/oiliness to it as well as a good flavor. Indeed as expected, there’s a decent punch of spiciness. Indeed, the chunks of beef are of good size and quality. Moreover, the liquid with the beef in the retort pouch add depth to the broth. Finally, little rings of chilli pepper are here and there, joining the party. Original review

#4 – TTL Sesame Oil Chicken With Rice Wine Noodle – Taiwan

TTL stands for Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor and indeed there’s a sachet of rice wine in here! Add to that a big retort pouch full of decent sized chunks of chicken, good noodles and garnish, This is definitely a bowl to seek out and try. Original review

#3 – Choripdong Hurricane Rice Cake Topokki – South Korea

It’s red. It’s got a thick spicy and sweet sauce. Chewy ramyun noodles. It’s got topokki. This was a real find – Just looking at the picture makes me want some right this instant. One of the most wonderful bowls of noodles I’ve ever had. Slipping from first place last year. Original review

#2 – Nissin Gyoretsu-no-Dekiru-Mise-no-Ramen (Shrimp Tantanmen) – Japan

Talk about amazing. Now, on most of these bowls, you’ll notice I’ve added my own garnishes. I don’t count them in my reviewing – everything is reviewed prior to any additions I make. This is one where I’ve added nothing and just look at it! This one had very good noodles to start off. The broth was a very thick prawn infused decadent flavor spectacle. Then there’s the little crunchy topping and the other garnish they provide and this is just amazing stuff. Wow. Floored. Original review

#1 – Little Cook Thailand Green Curry Instant Noodle – Taiwan

Wow – I’m so freaking impressed with this one. First, there are two bowls. Peel back the lid of the first bowl and add boiling water. After a short time, you poke holes in the lid and drain the liquid into the second. A sachet of soup base is added and you have a soup with lots of corn and herbs. Next, a huge sachet with chicken and vegetables boasts a great spicy green curry flavor which mixes with the noodle. A really amazing product. Original review

The post The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2017 Edition appeared first on The Ramen Rater.

Wow okay so for the 150th review here on ramenrater.com I thought I’d go for something really different. This is a big ass bowl noodle with fresh noodles! Should be interesting!

8.67 ounces. Jeez that’s a lot more than is realistically needed.

Three packets: noodles (it would’ve been horrible if they hadn’t labeled it because I would have never figured that out), soup base (the dark packet) and the veggies in the silver packet. It felt like a little brick was inside there…

When I opened the soup base I almost got whiplash – the fish odor was intense. The directions said to put it and the noodles in the bowl and fill up to the line with hot water and then microwave for 3 minutes. I did so and stirred and was greeted by these enormous noodles swimming in a deep red broth. The next step was to add the vegetables. So that little silver packet did have a strange little cubelike thing in it! I dropped it in the soup and watched it dissolve and then gave it all a final stir…

Here’s what you get (click image to enlarge). Wow – was not at all what I expected. It’s actually pretty good. The noodles are huge – nothing in the western diet really compares to Udon noodles. If you leave some spaghetti noodles in a bath of water overnight they still won’t swell up to the thickness of Udon and won’t be a chewy and nice. These were “fresh” as they call them, so they’re a mark above a noodle block you’d find in other instant packs or bowls. The broth is thick and rich; it is truly hot and spicy. It also has a definite seafood flavor – not sure what kind of seafood, but it’s in the ‘of the sea’ category for sure. Finally, the vegetables were a big surprise. I’ve never seen veggies supplied in this way – they’re always loose except for one instance. This little cake or sponge of veggies was a lot of fun and worked great and re-hydrated with a couple stirs. Overall, this has been quite the adventure for the palate as well as  a lot of fun to make. I’m giving this bowl a 4.25 out of 5.0 stars. Very unique and flavorful.

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Topokki time! Okay so you’re probably thinking ‘what? Yesterday he reviewed rice porrige and now it’s rice cake?!’ Well, this one has topokki (Korean rice cake) as well as noodles in it. One thing to note as well – see where it says to keep it refrigerated? I saw pallets of these where I got it that weren’t. To be honest, I think putting that on certain instant products that have these kind of fresh noodle packs inside is a way to give the illusory guise of something less shelf stable, making one think it’s higher quality. Honestly though, that kind of thing doesn’t really phase me. So! What is topokki? Wikipedia for ya –

Tteokbokki (떡볶이; also known as teokbokki, ddeokbokki, topokki, and dukboki)^[1][2] is a popular Korean snack food made from soft rice cake, fish cake and sweet red chili sauce.^[3] It is commonly purchased from street vendors or pojangmacha. Originally it was called tteok jjim (떡찜) and was a savory braised dish of sliced rice cake, meat, eggs, and seasoning.

Following the Korean War, a new type of tteokbokki became very popular. While the older version was a savory dish, this latter type was much spicier, and quickly became more popular than the older traditional dish. In addition to traditional ingredients, this tteokbokki used gochujang, a fermented, spicy paste made from chilli peppers, along with fish cakes. Other ingredients added to tteokbokki include boiled eggs, pan-fried mandu (Korean dumplings), sausages, ramyeon (which then becomes rabokki/labokki 라볶이), a variety of fried vegetables, and cheese. These days, many kinds of tteokbokki are popular such as seafood tteokbokki(해물 떡볶이) or rice tteokbokki(쌀떡볶이). Flour tteokbokki was popular in early days, but rice tteokbokki is more popular these days. Sindang-dong in Seoul, where tteokbokki was first sold, is still very famous for the dish and treated as the mekkah or the center of tteokbokki. Since tteokbokki has become one of the most popular dishes, one will easily find a place to enjoy eating tteokbokki in Korea.

So topokki is a chewy, savory and spicy conglomeration of pure love and joy. It’s one of my absolute favorite South Korean foods. Recently, my wife and I discovered Chi Mc food – it’s kind of what you’d consider Korean bar food. The place we found has cream cheese topokki which is quite possibly the finest food ever to pass into my being. The fried chicken’s amazing too. I’ll stop drooling now – on with the Hurricane!

Here’s detail from the side panels (click image to enlarge). Contains fish. To prepare, empty everything out into the big cup. Add hot water to the fill line and stir. Cover very loosely and microwave for 3.5 minutes. Stir and enjoy! NOTE – usually since microwave times are for 600w microwaves and I have an 100w, I tried it at power level 6 and it didn’t work. I recommend 1000w at the 3.5 minutes and slightly longer for lower wattage ovens.

Detail of the lid (click image to enlarge).

An included fork!

A fresh noodle block.

The topokki pouch – there’s a sachet of silica gel/dessicant inside – DO NOT EAT IT unless you want your meal to become TRAGIC.

The soup base sachet.

A little powder but mostly dehydrated vegetable.

The sauce sachet.

Has a spicy sweet and spicy scent.

Finished (click image to enlarge). Added spring onion and kamaboko. The noodles came out quite nicely – a good texture. The topokki came out a little on the rubbery side; it really needed more time in the old microwave. I ran mine at 50% power thinking that a full 1100w would kill it, but I think that 1100w would probably be perfect. The taste is spot on – fiery topokki! It’s kind of like Chef Boyardee met the grim reaper – sweet and savory meets fiery heat. This is kind of like a sauce I would liken to adult Spaghetti-O sauce – delightfully good. The vegetables hydrated very nicely. This is a bowl to covet. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 788821003805.

I tell you what – this is amazing stuff. You could make one seriously bad ass lasagna ala Korea with it – like an inferno of deliciousness. ChoripDong Tokpokki (Spicy Rice Cake) Cooking Sauce

This is a perfect recipe for topokki – trust me on this you need to try it if you haven’t.

The post #1658: Choripdong Hurricane Rice Cake (Topokki) appeared first on The Ramen Rater.

Another year’s gone by and here we are again with the new bowls list. A lot of really interesting ones this go around and some old favorites. At the point of putting this list out, I’ve almost hit 1,700 reviews. Of those, these are in my opinion the best tasting and the most memorable varieties. With that, allow me to present The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls 2015 Edition.

Just like with the regular top ten, I did a countdown video!

#10 – Hao Way Penang White Curry Instant Bowl Noodles – Malaysia

As you know from my Top Ten packages list, I’m a big fan of curry – especially Malaysian curry. This bowl boasts a thick and chewy noodle and a strong white curry flavor. Original review here

#9 – Nissin King Spa王 (Spa Oh) Tarako Spaghetti – Japan

Here’s one where the liquid is drained off. Tarako is a fish roe based sauce used in Japanese pasta dishes. The flavor is very good and the noodles came out just right. The seaweed bits go very nicely as well. Original review here

#8 – Maruchan Big Cup Ramen Corn, Salt & Butter Flavor – Japan

Another one from Japan. This one was a real treat – scads of corn and even a little block of butter inside! Definitely unique. Original review here

#7 – Paldo Jjamppong Seafood Noodle King Bowl – South Korea

Thick and chewy ramyun noodles are augmented by a broth with a good consistency – a little thickness was very good. Also a slightly sweet, seafood and spicy flavor to it I thoroughly enjoyed. Original review here

#6 – Acecook Comet Mori Yukino Tan-tan Men – Japan

This stuff is very red! The noodles are broad and flat. They have a very nice chew to them and are of a premium type. The broth is very rich and oily. It has a strong spiciness and is almost thick – but not in a bad way. A rich pork flavor abounds. The veggies and other bits hydrated quite nicely. Original review here

#5 – Unif Man Han Feast Sichuan Chili Eel Flavor Instant Noodle – Taiwan

The noodles are flat and broad. They have a nice quality to them; not too chewy but very good for a bowl noodle. The broth is rich with a good spiciness. The added bonus with this is the eel – it’s really good! Everything is rich and hearty and it’s definitely a feast to behold and consume. I should also note – this is one of a line that includes a braised beef variety amongst others. I would very much like to review every one of these, both in pack and bowl form. If you can source them and would like to send me some, please use the above contact form to do so! Thanks! Original review here

#4: Paldo Jjajangmen Chajang Noodle King Bowl – South Korea

Another in Paldo’s King Bowl line. Again, this one has thick and chewy ramyun but is a broth-free variety, coated with a delicious and savory black bean chajang sauce. Sticks-to-your-ribs! Original review here

#3 – Plats Du Chef Cuisine Adventures Chicken Phở Soup – Canada

I have to say this was a great surprise. I have had a throng of horrible Canadian instant noodles – in cups, bowls, packs – just horrible. This one is a diamond in the rough. It includes excellent rice noodles, a very tasty pho broth and to top it off, it’s got real chicken! This is a bowl to behold. Original review here

#2 – Nissin Raoh Rich Soy Sauce Flavor – Japan

Slipping to second place this year is Nissin’s Raoh. The noodles and broth play so nicely together and the pork is quite good. A bowl of noodles to really enjoy by candlelight. Note – Japanese varieties have become very hard for me to come by. If you would like to donate some varieties found in Japan, please use the contact link above! Thank you! Original review here

#1 – Choripdong Hurricane Rice Cake Topokki – South Korea

It’s red. It’s got a thick spicy and sweet sauce. It’s got ramyun. It’s got topokki. This was a real find – Just looking at the picture makes me want some right this instant. The most wonderful big bowl of noodles I’ve ever had. Original review here

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South Korea has the highest per person consumption of instant noodles in the world. It’s not a surprise that their instant noodle are quite good – usually the noodles (known as ramyun) are thicker and accompanied by a spicy broth. These are my very favorite varieties of South Korean instant noodles – hope you enjoy!

#10: Paldo Kko Kko Myun

This one is like a bowl of candy to me. We start with nice quality noodles, and then the broth takes over. The broth has a kind of chicken and jalapeno flavor to it. The flavors play off of each other quite nicely and deliver both a strong bite as well as a mellow comfort food flavor in one bowl. The vegetable packet includes little chicken pieces. Original review

#9: Paldo Jjamppong Seafood Noodle King Bowl

Thick and chewy ramyun noodles are augmented by a broth with a good consistency – a little thickness was very good. Also a slightly sweet, seafood and spicy flavor to it I thoroughly enjoyed. Original review here

#8: Samyang Foods Red Nagasaki Jjampong

The noodles are perfect – what I like to find in ramyun! Thick and chewy. The broth is amazing – an excellent level of heat balanced with a respectable amount of seafood flavor. The added vegetable pieces hydrated quite well. Top notch! Original review

#7: Paldo King Bowl Super Spicy Pan Stirfried Noodle

The noodles are of a good ramyun gauge – lots of them as well. The flavor is a kind of seafood and spicy thing and there’s a sweetness going on as well. The supplied vegetables did great – this was an amazingly good stir noodle! Original review

#6: Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup

This is the first instant noodle on the top ten to be marketed towards vegetarians. What surprised me about it was the broth had such a full flavor to it; deep and satisfying. The noodles are slightly larger in gauge than your run of the mill instant, which is common of South Korean ‘ramyun.’ Magnificent stuff! Original review

#5: Nongshim Zha Wang (Jjawang) Noodles With Chajang Sauce

The noodles are out of this world – soft and chewy, with a nice width and thickness – very hearty. The sauce coats everything and there’s more than enough of it. It has a rich black bean flavor augmented with peas, cabbage and other veggies. This is the best jjajang I’ve ever tried. Original review

#4: Paldo Cheese Noodle

These noodles – wow. I think the best addition to South Korean ramyun has to be cheese. Well, not only is cheese included here but it’s got just the perfect notes of spiciness and strong, rich flavor. The little guy with the sign that says cheese noodle rocks as well. Original review

#3: Paldo Rabokki Noodle

The noodles plumped up just perfectly – thick and a good chew. The broth is more of a sauce and it’s very rich – spicy and sweet – like an adult version of Spaghetti-O’s which I find delectable. Original review

#2: Nongshim Jinjja Jinjja

The noodles are very good – nice thick ramyun. The broth has a seriously spicy kick to it and a very peanut aroma with pork notes. The vegetables hydrated very well. Back with a vengeance! Original review

#1: ChoripDong Hurricane Rice Cake

It’s red. It’s got a thick spicy and sweet sauce. It’s got ramyun. It’s got topokki. This was a real find – Just looking at the picture makes me want some right this instant. The most wonderful big bowl of noodles I’ve ever had. Original review here

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South Korean instant noodles are known around the world as being spicy and beefy for the most part. However, there are many different styles. In fact, seafood jjamppong, black bean jjajang, cold noodles, and creamy beef noodles exist in the scene. Today, I’ll do a rundown of my favorites – the best of the highest rated South Korean varieties from over 2,300 unique varieties I’ve reviewed from around the world. Finally, I would like to note that it’s tougher to find South Korean varieties. Therefore, any instant noodle companies from South Korea should contact me promptly to be considered for upcoming top ten lists. Let’s get started.

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten South Korean Instant Noodles Of All Time 2017 Edition

This year’s video presentation with some extras!

#10: Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup

This is the first instant noodle on the top ten to be marketed towards vegetarians. What surprised me about it is that the broth has such a full flavor to it; deep and satisfying. The noodles are slightly larger in gauge than your run of the mill instant, which is common of South Korean ‘ramyun.’ Magnificent stuff! Original review here

#9: Samyang Foods Cheese Curry Ramyun

The noodles are of a decent ramyun gauge and hydrate nicely in the three minutes directed. In addition, the broth is thick with a very nice kind of creamy curry flavor. Finally, an inkling of spiciness. Beautiful stuff! Original review here

#8: Nongshim Zha Wang (Jjawang) Noodles With Chajang Sauce

The noodles are out of this world – soft and chewy, with a nice width and thickness – very hearty. The sauce coats everything and there’s more than enough of it. Finally, its thick, rich black bean flavor is has peas, cabbage and other veggies. This is the best jjajang I’ve ever tried. Original review here

#7: Paldo Cheese Noodle

These noodles – wow. Arguably the best addition to South Korean ramyun has to be cheese. Well, not only is cheese included here but it’s got just the perfect notes of spiciness and strong, rich flavor. The little guy with the sign that says cheese noodle rocks too! Original review here

#6: Nongshim Champong Noodle Soup Spicy Seafood Flavor

These noodles are big and plump and chewy – wider as well. They’re fantastic! Would love to see a Shin Ramyun using this noodle! The broth is equally wonderful insofar as the flavor has this taste and smell. It has a seafood barbecue kind of taste. The oil adds a nice extra to the broth. Spicy, tasty and awesome! Original review here

#5: Paldo Rabokki Noodle

The noodles plump up perfectly – thick and a good chew. The broth is more of a sauce and it’s very rich – spicy and sweet – like an adult version of Spaghetti-O’s which I find delectable. Original review here

#4: Nongshim Jinjja Jinjja

The noodles are very good – nice thick ramyun. In addition, I have read that they are augment them with chilli pepper in them as well. Next, the broth has a seriously spicy kick to it and a very peanut aroma with pork notes. Finally, the vegetables hydrate very well. Back with a vengeance! Original review here

#3: Nongshin Chal Bibim Myun

First, the noodles are nice and thick with a great chew – ramyun through and through. Second, the sauce works extremely well. It’s sweet and spicy and works perfectly with a cold noodle. Finally, the flavor is nice and crisp while smooth and effective. Original review here

#2: ChoripDong Hurricane Rice Cake

Very red. It’s got a thick spicy and sweet sauce. Fresh ramyun. It’s got topokki. Indeed, this is a real find – Just looking at the picture makes me want some right this instant. Slipping from #1 to #2 this year. Original review here

#1: Paldo Budae Jigae

As always, I’m shocked when something comes across my desk that’s unlike anything I’ve reviewed. In the first place, the noodles are great – thick ramyun. Indeed they are chewy and thick gauge. The broth is really good; thicker than most and has a kind of ‘boiling with hot dogs in it all day’ kind of thing going on. Moreover, the included garnish is a real treat as it contains not only beans, processed meat and slices of sausage, but pieces of macaroni as well. This one really goes above and beyond on this one – I’m impressed. Original review here

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The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2017 Edition is a list of the best bowls I’ve tried of the over 2400 reviews posted to date. Bowls are interesting insofar as they often contain extra things, since there is more room for sachets, spoons, fork, etcetera. As always, I implore instant noodle manufacturers to contact me – I would love to review your products and all it costs is sending some samples and your time! So sit back, grab a bowl, some hot water, peel back the lid, stir – and enjoy!

The Ramen Rater’s Top Ten Instant Noodle Bowls Of All Time 2017 Edition

A video presentation of the list.

#10 – JML Spicy King Bowl Noodle Spicy Chicken Noodle – China

The noodles as usual plumped up nicely as they engorged themselves on the broth. good gauge, good chew. The broth is definitely strong and worthy of the top ten spicy list – it means business! Sichuan chilli heat is abundant. The oiliness is great and the hydrated vegetable bits are good as well – a tasty spicy bowl. Original review

#9 – Seven & I (Nissin) Gold Sumire Ramen – Japan

The noodles are thick and chewy – very premium. The broth has a very rich miso flavor that had a little thickness and a nice oiliness. The vegetables and bits hydrated perfectly – nice bits of ground meat and menma float happily about and are of good quality. Original review

#8 – Tokushima Seifun Yakibuta Ramen – Japan

The broth has a nice saltiness and soy flavor with just a little touch of sweetness. The pork flavor finds it’s way into the broth as well which is spectacular. The pork has a nice sweetness and ‘fall off the bone’ texture to it which is pure delicacy. The army of decent sized slices of narutomaki were amazing, and the spring onion and bamboo shoots were perfect. A bowl of amazing taste and quality. Original review

#7 – Nissin Raoh Rich Soy Sauce Flavor – Japan

Raoh’s noodles are great – premium and chewy. The broth is thick and rich with a strong shoyu taste which satisfies. The garnish includes a nice slice of chashu pork. Original review

#6 – Uni-President Man Han Feast Braised Pork Flavor Instant Noodles Bowl – Taiwan

First, the noodles have a little bit thicker a gauge than most instant varieties. Indeed they are premium although a slight bit softer than one might expect. The broth is a sea of rich pork flavor – different than many. As a matter of fact, this really REALLY has a nice pork flavor; most pork varieties don’t have a great pork taste as the pork taste they do have get overshadowed by saltiness. The vegetables hydrated well and the pork was very good. Original review

#5 – Uni-President Man Han Feast Super Hot Pot Beef Flavor Instant Noodles – Taiwan

So the noodles are broad and flat with a light chew and an excellent quantity. The broth is a tour de force of beef taste. It has a good thickness/oiliness to it as well as a good flavor. Indeed as expected, there’s a decent punch of spiciness. Indeed, the chunks of beef are of good size and quality. Moreover, the liquid with the beef in the retort pouch add depth to the broth. Finally, little rings of chilli pepper are here and there, joining the party. Original review

#4 – TTL Sesame Oil Chicken With Rice Wine Noodle – Taiwan

TTL stands for Taiwan Tobacco & Liquor and indeed there’s a sachet of rice wine in here! Add to that a big retort pouch full of decent sized chunks of chicken, good noodles and garnish, This is definitely a bowl to seek out and try. Original review

#3 – Choripdong Hurricane Rice Cake Topokki – South Korea

It’s red. It’s got a thick spicy and sweet sauce. Chewy ramyun noodles. It’s got topokki. This was a real find – Just looking at the picture makes me want some right this instant. One of the most wonderful bowls of noodles I’ve ever had. Slipping from first place last year. Original review

#2 – Nissin Gyoretsu-no-Dekiru-Mise-no-Ramen (Shrimp Tantanmen) – Japan

Talk about amazing. Now, on most of these bowls, you’ll notice I’ve added my own garnishes. I don’t count them in my reviewing – everything is reviewed prior to any additions I make. This is one where I’ve added nothing and just look at it! This one had very good noodles to start off. The broth was a very thick prawn infused decadent flavor spectacle. Then there’s the little crunchy topping and the other garnish they provide and this is just amazing stuff. Wow. Floored. Original review

#1 – Little Cook Thailand Green Curry Instant Noodle – Taiwan

Wow – I’m so freaking impressed with this one. First, there are two bowls. Peel back the lid of the first bowl and add boiling water. After a short time, you poke holes in the lid and drain the liquid into the second. A sachet of soup base is added and you have a soup with lots of corn and herbs. Next, a huge sachet with chicken and vegetables boasts a great spicy green curry flavor which mixes with the noodle. A really amazing product. Original review

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