Tetsuya is a ramen shop in Sapporo Japan that’s been open since 1997, and this is the instant brick version of their tonkotsu-shoyu ramen. This instant ramen also tries to be a bit healthy, with noodles that aren’t fried in oil like most other brick ramen. This was great! The Tetsuya ramen has a satisfyingly…
miyakoichi shoyu ramen
It still amazes me how good some Japanese brick ramen can be. Miyakoichi’s shoyu ramen is light (as in not very oily) but full of flavor. This ramen has a great soup that has adds just a hint of sweetness to the shoyu flavor. The noodles are chewy and holds the soup well. One difference…
umakkachan tonkotsu ramen
This is a tasty tonkotsu instant ramen with a mild creamy flavor rounded off by notes of dried fish flavors. It’s a milder tonkotsu ramen for those of you who might like a more accessible ramen that’s not too rich. The noodles are typical of brick ramen and unfortunately doesn’t hold the soup well. Thanks…
ramen rating: crying tiger spicy chili shrimp ramen
I usually don’t mention price when it comes to my reviews, but holy cow: 8 packs for 99 cents! That lowered my expectations quite a bit. But I was a bit surprised by what came out of the packet. Look, a real red pepper! Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. The noodles were a bit on…
instant ramen final four: championship
Maruchan Roast Chicken vs. Sapporo Ichiban Original We’re down to the championship game. Sapporo Ichiban Original gets the tip off. Sapporo Ichiban Original plays deliberately and slowly. They like to set a slow-paced game with their subtler flavor. As before, their uniqueness lies in their blended taste. If you have to put a label to…
instant ramen final four: the bracket so far…
Whew! We’ve come a long way from the original 16. We’re down to the championship match, which will take place tomorrow night. Meanwhile, here’s a bracket view of the results so far. (Click on the bracket for a full-sized version.) So does anyone have any money riding on this? 😉 9:23pm: oops, I have the…
instant ramen final four: …err…final four!
Maruchan Roast Chicken vs. Maruchan Roast Beef We’re down to the final four, and it’s the battle of the Maruchan roast meats! The referees are drooling in anticipation. Maruchan Roast Beef puts its best beefy foot forward. Their soup could probably be used for an au jus sauce. Mmm…I’d dip my roast beef sandwich in…
instant ramen final four: elite eight part 2
Sapporo Ichiban Beef vs. Sapporo Ichiban Original There’ve been some interesting match-ups in this tournament, and this is no exception. The two darkhorses are battling it out this round. Both teams try to use their Sapporo Ichiban-ness against their opponent, and they just end up cancelling each other out. The two teams are almost identically…
instant ramen final four: elite eight part 1
Maruchan Creamy Chicken vs. Top Ramen Chicken It’s Chicken vs. Chicken! Maruchan vs. Top Ramen! Top Ramen Chicken has a more concentrated chicken flavor than Maruchan Creamy Chicken, and edges ahead by the third quarter. Maruchan Creamy Chicken’s distinct celery flavor and smell tries to make up for their lighter flavor, but they just can’t…
instant ramen final four: south
Maruchan Shrimp vs. Sapporo Ichiban Beef Ah, the sea. Smell the salty sea air and feel the refreshing ocean breeze. Maruchan Shrimp has captured that saltwatery-shio taste. And there’s also a slight seafood smell and taste. But where’s the shrimp flavor? It’s just barely there. But it’s tasty. Sapporo Ichiban Beef tries to wrap their…
instant ramen final four: east
…they met behind the bleachers for their secret rendezvous. Their hungry mouths met passionately. A smell of hot tonkotsu lingered in the air. Oh, Maruchan! Your soup … it’s so wet! And your noodles…oh! They’re so slippery! Tear open your flavor packet now! — Sorry, April Fools! We now return to your regularly scheduled program……
instant ramen final four: west
Maruchan Chili vs. Top Ramen Chili It’s another exciting Maruchan vs. Top Ramen matchup…Chili vs Chili! First of all, to anyone who’s never tried the chili flavor: look at the packaging with the chili peppers and the flames. Raise your hand: how many people think this is simply a spicy version of the instant ramen?…