Maruchan Beef Ramen

So, this is the most barebones noodle thing ever, and you still have to do all the work of boiling it like a regular noodle, and so I basically never get this. But I had cabbage and didn't know what to do with it, so I fried the cabbage and then added it to this ramen! Wow! The cabbage was a game changer. Made it a lot more ~asian~, which I love. This ramen was fine, but considering it cost 25 cents, it was amazing!



Overall
Cost: 10/10
Taste: 6/10

Ramen Kumamoto

Talk about a trendy resto in my local college town! This place opened a few years ago to rave reviews, even from the Japanese people I know (n=3). I like it because there's no nuts (though there is a lot of fish) and because it's Japanese. I don't like it because there's no alcohol, you can't use credit cards with bills under like 20$, and the seating is kind of communal. Also, you have to ask for a fork if you can't use chopsticks and sometimes they don't ever bring it and you feel sad. I always only get the tonkotsu (pork) ramen, which is good but not amazing for me. The broth and egg and bamboo and meat are all amazing, the noodles don't do it for me though. They're thin and more italian than chinese if that makes sense. Very filling and warm but I wouldn't want it super often. I wish I could order other stuff but I think it all has fish in it.

Overall
Cost: 6/10
Taste: 5/10 (for me)

Maruchan Bowl - Chicken flavor

Yep, this tastes like Maruchan ramen all right! They really all taste pretty similar to me, whether it's a bowl or a packet or a cup or whatever. This is a big portion, and it's easy to prepare. It has a lot of water and it isn't as salty as the yakisoba. I think it tastes a little less good because of that, but also probably would give less stomachaches. It's making me a little itchy right now even though there are no nuts or peas in it, so I'm not loving that. If I die, I change my rating to a 1.




Overall
Cost: 8/10 (1$ or less)
Taste: 5/10

Maruchan Yakisoba - Teriyaki Beef

This is my go-to ramen dish, because I'm not allergic to it, it's cheap, easy to find, easy to cook, and there's a salty craving you get sometimes for a ramen just like this. I will say that the eating experience is most enjoyable in the middle, but by the time I get to the end of eating this, I start to feel a little gross. I recommend that you don't drink up the very end soggy bits, it's not worth it. I think this is best if you prepare it with maybe 3/4 of the seasoning packet only. The little veggie bits they give you are nice and add a little texture. Overall this tastes like cup noodles should - that salty/umami flavor. OK once in a while, good to have in the cupboard.


Overall
Cost: 9/10 (1$)
Taste: 6/10

Maruchan Instant Lunch - Beef

This ramen is alright. I can't eat the Nissin brand for allergy reasons, so I don't have much to compare with. This one has a seafood warning, but I am willing to risk that and so far it's been fine. This is just noodles in some beef broth, with a few carrots and corn and beef bits. It's a decent sized meal for the price, but as per ramen it's not that great. But it's OK.

Overall
Cost: 7/10 [1.00]
Taste: 6/10


Laura says: These are shockingly good for a noodle in a cup. I like the soupy part in the bottom that's just water the most. I would eat these if I needed a fast meal from a gas station anytime soon, but they're kind of inconvenient because you can't make them in the microwave that easily without another mug or something. 6/10

Maruchan Chicken Yakisoba Noodles

Since this is so cheap, I had to try it! This particular brand/flavor has NO PEAS! Which is great. It is a may contain for seafood, but not for nuts, so I considered it safe. I followed the directions precisely but it came out pretty watery. Luckily, that really doesn't affect the flavor at all when it comes to something like this. The noodles are pretty much standard chicken ramen noodles. The veggies are all right - pretty much what you'd expect, a few limp corn and cabbage pieces. The flavor is all right, and it is pretty filling, especially for the price. Ultimately I don't like the taste very much, but it's cool to have the option to buy something like this anyway!

Overall
Cost: 9/10
Taste: 6/10