Recommendation Food & Drinks

What's Your Favorite Instant Ramen? Share Your Top Picks!

For Whom/What:

whenever ramen craving hits

Budget:

comparable to Shin Ramen

Requirements:

chewy noodle

ramen with soup

pairs well with beef

Extra Details:

My current obsession is the Shin Ramen, but I'm eager to venture out and try new flavors/varieties. I love spicy food, but it doesn't have to be spicy. The photo's from the manufacturer's website - makes me hungry just looking at it, haha. These are some of the ramen my local Asian market has. Do you see anything worth trying? Share your ramen haul!

Carrie Liu
2 weeks ago

I'm obsessed with Ichiran ramen and this Ichiran Ramen kit captures the authentic, rich flavor of the ramen I'd get in Japan, especially from Ichiran's famous tonkotsu broth.  

The convenience of being able to recreate that perfect ramen experience at home is a luxury in the US. The broth is silky and flavorful, and the noodles cook up with the perfect chewy texture. The customizable spice packet lets you control the heat, just like in their restaurants, although I like it spicy so add it all, haha. Since you can tolerate Shin ramen, you won't find this ramen spicy at all. I think you can buy just the spice in case you want to add extra. 

It’s a great way to relive the memory of Japan and enjoy restaurant-quality ramen without leaving your kitchen. 

Official ICHIRAN Take-Home Ramen Kit
Brand: Ichiran Ramen
Red Secret Spicy Seasoning Powder
Brand: Ichiran Ramen
joshtylermma
3 weeks ago

Samyang ramen is my solid pick that seems a bit underrated. People always mention Shin, Neoguri and Buldak when they recommend Korean ramen, but Samyang's amazing. It's been around forever too (like since the 60s?), and that's quite a feat considering the Korean ramen market is hyper-competitive.

And pair it with eggs, it tastes amazing and makes a huge difference. In terms of spiciness, I would say it's less spicy than the Shin.  

Samyang Ramen Original
Brand: Samyang

Have you tried the Shin Black? If you like the original Shin, you'll probably love the Shin Black. It's an upgraded version of the original, and the soup's thicker and richer with a noticeable beef bone flavor. You get an additional soup packet, which adds the beef bone flavor to the original Shin broth. Pair it with thin briskets, and it tastes so satisfying. 

Shin Ramen Black
Brand: Nongshim
Dawn Holland
3 weeks ago

I really like the ICHIRAN Take Home Ramen Kit because it gives you the authentic experience of their famous tonkotsu ramen right at home. It tastes very authentic and similar. The kit includes their signature broth concentrate, Hakata-style thin noodles, and their special red chili powder, so you can recreate the same rich, flavorful ramen. It’s super convenient, and the taste is spot on—creamy, savory, and packed with umami, just like at the restaurant. 

Official ICHIRAN Take-Home Ramen Kit
Brand: Ichiran Ramen