Ramen is the ubiquitous staple food of modern life; you can find it in grocery stores, online, and even at gas stations. Many college students, who lack resources and time, opt for the quick and filling meal that only requires boiling water for dinner. But the necessity of ramen goes beyond dorm halls. Ramen is affordable and filling for many low-income Americans who rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Action Program) and live off a $4 daily food budget, according to National Geographic.
Another benefit of ramen is that it can be purchased in large quantities and stored in cabinets with ease. Instant ramen has an official shelf life of two years if stored properly, though some sources claim it can be consumed up to two months after the marked expiration date (via Cook Gem). As a result, ramen is the ideal food to keep on hand for situations like returning from a night of drinking while ravenous and without food. In order to achieve this, the ramen company Nissin even introduced an “emergency instant ramen subscription” service for genuine catastrophes. Ramen is extremely popular, but there are numerous established and emerging brands available. Here is our ranking of ramen brands based on factors like cost, quality, flavor, popularity, and nutritional value.
The Annie Chun brand, which was established in 1992 by the same-named pioneer of Korean cuisine, was sold to CJ Foods in 2009 (per the North Bay Business Journal). According to The Ramen Rater, there is no MSG or preservatives in the Noodle Soup Bowl with Shoyu Ramen Flavor, like all of the other products. A convenient place to find Annie Chuns is on Amazon, but it’s also available in upscale supermarkets like Whole Foods Market, as well as at major retailers like Wal-Mart and Target. The low-fat, low-sodium, vegan ramen will appeal to health-conscious ramen eaters, vegetarians, and it only takes 2.5 minutes to prepare with boiling water.
The flavor is somewhat bland and not particularly spicy; as one Amazon reviewer put it, “it’s sort of meh.” The cost of one small bowl of this ramen, which has only 240 calories, is about $4, making it an expensive dish as well. Our opinion is that if you must eat ramen but are determined to eat healthily, you might as well make your own vegan miso ramen instead.
The beloved Trader Joes brand has a wide variety of affordable, tasty, and practical meals available; its fall offerings and vegan selection inspire devoted and devoted customers. In 2018, Trader Joe’s introduced instant ramen noodle cups, which was exciting for those who had already completed their studies in college. However, the review from Club Trader Joes’ devoted followers was at best neutral: “The cup of ramen [is] hardly a snack considering that Trader Joes has snack bars with more than 180 calories,” and it advises sharing one serving with a friend. Notably, the noodles clumped, a problem that was also noted by Freezer Meal Frenzy, and their texture was described as “a little rubbery and hard to chew.” “.
Overall, at around $1. 29 for a pack (which would actually cost closer to $2) Although more expensive ($58 per meal), Trader Joe’s Ramen is still worth trying, even for TJ devotees.
Maruchan has been making ramen since 1953 and is a well-known and recognizable brand. But everything you need to know about its regular instant noodles should be evident from the fact that it first introduced a “GOLD” or more expensive and high-quality version of its ramen in 2013, and then again in 2019 (in Japan and then the United States, respectively, according to PR Newswire).
“A young and tenacious Japanese visionary,” Kazuo Mori, transitioned from selling frozen fish to instant noodles. The company’s ramen is sold in iconic packaging with ambiguous and dubious descriptions like “chicken and beef flavor.” This is because only a tiny portion of the soup base packet—less than 1%—contains “powdered cooked chicken, and the flavor is primarily derived from significant amounts of sugar, salt, and monosodium glutamate (also known as MSG). “.
Maruchan ramen is undoubtedly inexpensive (a 24-pack of the chicken flavor costs only $6 right now on Amazon). 56, which translates to just 27 cents for a bowl), but what doesn’t cost you money could cost you your health: Each serving also contains 48% of the daily recommended amount of sodium. Anything with a lot of salt, sugar, and MSG will be satisfying in terms of flavor, but there is better ramen available. Well save the Maruchan for the next pandemic.
Another instant noodle brand thats suitable for vegans, Dr. Clearly having never worked in a Japanese kitchen before, the face on McDougall’s ramen products depicts a friendly-looking doctor who has had great success inspiring Americans to lead healthier lives through his McDougall Program. His line of ramen noodles doesn’t have any GMOs or additional oils, making it ideal for people managing chronic illnesses through diet. Additionally, these noodles are practical because they can be prepared using only boiling water and no stove.
Unfortunately, similar to Annie Chuns, Dr. Due to its all-natural composition, McDougalls instant ramen falls short in the flavor and taste department. However, it is a reasonably priced, healthy vegan alternative to instant noodles, costing about $3 per serving (a pack of 6 Vegan Hot and Sour Ramen costs $18.) 50 on Amazon), making Dr. McDougalls a more economical healthy choice.
Following Mikes Mighty Good Ramen, which claims to be “Craft Ramen” (trademarked) made by Californians, is our final ramen roundup. By making instant ramen taste like ramen from ramen bars, it claims to raise the bar for ramen. This organic wheat flour ramen, which was introduced in 2017, is made from scratch in California in a facility powered by solar energy. Mikes Mighty Good uses steamed organic noodles, organic ingredients, and no GMOs in place of the typical fried noodles found in instant ramen. This more recent ramen brand is available in packs and to-go cups, allowing for stovetop or on-the-go preparation.
Since there are chicken, pork tonkotsu, spicy beef, and miso flavors available, all of which cost around $3 per serving, Mikes Mighty Good Ramen is a great option for people who are health-conscious but also enjoy meat. The drawback: Depending on your appetite and stomach, many people believe that the portions are too small for the price.
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting a 7-Eleven in Thailand, you’re probably already familiar with their impressive range of snacks, which includes shrimp chips, packets of Eleven Tigers Brand herbal powder, and the following instant ramen brand in our lineup: MAMA Ramen. MAMA is a Thai company that sells a lot of spicy noodles in addition to more unusual flavors like “Hot Korean Flavor,” “Chili Crab Flavor,” and “Spicy Cheese Flavor.” These traditional Thai flavors include basil, tom yum, and green curry. Price-wise, one bowl of MAMA ramen costs about $1 considering that a variety pack of 30 instant ramen noodles costs $38 on Amazon. 25. The duck and tom yum flavors are more potent than the chicken flavor, but MAMA deserves praise for consistently introducing new flavors. Case in point: this chicken taco ramen flavor.
However, the depth and variety of flavors come at a cost: The artificial pork flavor ramen has a mouthwatering 60% of your daily sodium intake.
There is a brand of non-wheat noodle ramen that won’t trigger your gluten sensitivities, so gluten-free eaters can rejoice. Beginning in 1995, Lotus Foods imported Chinese heirloom rice, which was later transformed into a premium rice ramen noodle brand that is proudly gluten-free. Additionally free of oil and preservatives, Lotus Foods Ramen fits neatly into the healthy category. However, there are only a few flavors of instant rice ramen noodles available, including wakame ramen and red miso ramen. However, Lotus Foods Ramen packets are a welcome alternative to traditional instant ramen for those with Celiac disease who are unable to find another option and can be purchased for about $2. 50 a pack.
For the socially conscious, Lotus Foods is also committed to buying from smallholder farms, carrying out local improvement initiatives, creating jobs, combating climate change, and promoting a more equitable food system.
In order to encourage people to “consume plenty of vegetables in one meal,” Daisho first produced hot pot soup bases when it first started as a business in 1991. Since the Nagahama Yatai Ramen, Tonkotsu style is pork-flavored (tonkotsu literally translates to pork bone), but completely meat-free, it is aimed at vegetarians who enjoy ramen. The broth contains sesame oil and garlic and heavily incorporates vegetables’ umami flavor profile. Since two servings conveniently fit in one package (or awkwardly, if you’re single), this particular brand of ramen is great for couples or roommates who are too lazy to cook. One word of caution: Daisho instant ramen’s packaging is entirely in Japanese, but if you can’t read Japanese, there’s a helpful YouTube video with step-by-step instructions for making ramen that you can watch.
The sodium content is 2,000 mg, but you can reduce it by boiling it in twice as much water, as one Amazon reviewer advises. Given that it yields numerous servings using just one package of noodles and one seasoning packet, I suggest it for families. It pairs well with any type of meat or vegetable you choose. “.
Despite the fact that many people mistakenly think of ramen as a Japanese dish, la-mian, or hand-pulled Chinese noodles, are the origin of ramen. But ramen in Japan has developed to take on its own unique identity, and it still does today. Young Chang, an American with Taiwanese ancestry, founded A-Sha USA in 2015 (source: Los Angeles Times). A new sauce made with fermented soybean paste was introduced along with the brand’s distinctively shaped “meteor noodles,” which were made using a 100-year-old Taiwanese recipe but with modern, patented two-blade technology. “.
Thin noodles, medium noodles, spicy noodles, and, for the fancy, a Crazy Rich Ramen 4-pack set, complete with Astrea Premier Caviar, edible 24 gold flakes, and one fresh scallion stalk, are all available from A-Sha for those who like to branch out from standard ramen. This set costs $640 on Amazon. If that’s too expensive for you, the other A-Sha ramen packs cost on average about $3. 60 per pack. The Spicy Mala Ramen has the best flavor, is hearty enough to fill you up, and is superior to other instant ramen varieties because the noodles are air-dried.
Immi is a complete disruptor in the ramen industry, as opposed to A-Sha USA. Immi, a true startup company, attracted the attention and capital of investors and advisors, some of whom are founders of businesses aimed at millennials, such as Magic Spoon and Thrive Market. According to a Forbes article, two Asian-Americans named Kevin (Lee and Chanthasiriphan, respectively) founded Immi in 2021 to make waves in “a 42 billion global industry dominated by a few Asian conglomerates.” “.
Immi Ramen’s distinguishing features include its low-carb (6 grams per serving), high-protein (21 grams per serving), and Instagram-friendly packaging. Flavors include Black Garlic “Chicken,” Spicy “Beef,” and Tom Yum “Shrimp.” It’s filling thanks to the protein and tasty enough for healthy noodles, and the website boasts famous fans like Kygo and Patrick Schwarzenegger, the son of the former governor of California. However, a 6-variety pack does cost a hefty $39, and that’s before shipping. However, if you’re hoping to enter ketosis, it might just be worth the cost.
According to Peter, the blogger behind Japanoscope, Myojo is a lesser-known Singaporean ramen brand in America, but its Chukazanmai ramen with soy sauce flavor “is a long-standing favorite of Japanese people.” Chukazanmai is a perfect substitute for ramen bars because it tastes just like the real thing and because, despite being packaged in a plastic bag, the noodles are surprisingly soft and springy. The product was as good as the ones that we ate while we were in Japan, says one ecstatic Amazon reviewer. “.
Although its ramen is more difficult to find in stock, the Singaporean brand’s instant udon noodles are also a top seller. These brands also offer convenient Japanese Style Ramen Soup Base Packets, which you can then combine with your own preferred noodles. Myojo instant ramen contains a lot of sodium and MSG, like other conventional instant ramen brands, but these noodles are excellent and delicious. Bonus: Each serving has 390 calories, so you won’t feel hungry after eating them, but you might still want more.
Although Sanyo Foods’ Sapporo Ichiban Original ramen is not ranked first in this list of the best ramens (ichiban in Japanese means “number one”), it is still a pretty good ramen. The “bouncy” texture of the noodles pairs well with the soy sauce, chicken broth, garlic, and ginger broth. Besides the popular original flavor (an Amazon choice with 4. There are also beef and an umami-flavored chicken flavors available. 8 stars and over 1,500 raving reviews.
Takeshi Ida, the company’s founder, became fixated on a soy sauce soup in Sapporo, which sparked a desire to make his preferred ramen from scratch. However, he was unsatisfied until the shop owner disclosed his secret ingredient: an aromatic vegetable. Even though it’s not the healthiest ramen, Sapporo ramen is still a popular nostalgic Japanese instant ramen dish because it’s affordable, satisfying, and dependable. It also contains a lot of calories, so you can easily add an egg or vegetables to it for a filling quick meal.
The following instant ramen is known as ramyeon in its native language. It is Korea’s response to traditional Japanese ramen and is quicker, spicier, and punchier. Ramyeon is one of South Korea’s favorite comfort foods, with the average person consuming an impressive 80 to 90 packets annually, according to Fine Dining Lovers. Paldo certainly knows how to sate the appetite for ramyeon with such a devoted and ravenous fan base.
You can be sure that eating this spicy Korean ramyeon will cause the same fiery reaction because the packaging features adorable cartoon chickens sweating, just like on the Volcano Extremely Hot & Spicy Stir Fried Chicken Instant Noodles. This flavor also comes without soup for those who don’t like drinking broth. The Gomtang Ramen is a good ramen option for those who don’t like spicy flavors because it has a hearty but mild, milky beef broth. It makes a filling meal by itself, but it’s also very simple to dress it up with the toppings of your choice.
Check out Samyang Foods, another Korean company founded in the wake of the Korean War, if you love spice and want even more spice in your ramen. The brand’s ability to control the entire manufacturing process and to produce beef for its soup base as well as dairy cattle raised in open pastures for the milk and dairy products on its own farm are two factors that contribute to the high quality of its ramen.
Even though it may seem strange, a ramen company needs dairy products because Samyang’s ramen comes in a variety of flavors, including Cheese Spicy Hot Chicken Flavored Ramen Noodles. Various spice levels are also available from Samyang Ramen, all of which the Try Guys tested in their Korean Fire Noodle Challenge. It seems strange that the cheese is in powder form, but after consuming ramen that has been enhanced with cheese flavor, it becomes strangely addictive. The spice levels are high, so if that’s too much for you, choose the mild cheese flavor. We had to rank this brand third because the high levels of spice aren’t for everyone, even though it ranks first in the hearts of many ramen lovers.
A famous spicy ramen from Nongshim with instantly recognizable red shiny packaging that makes the claim that it “can make a grown man cry” When hunger strikes, these ramen noodles are the ideal solution. The spiciness will clear your sinuses and any bad feelings from a long, arduous day at work, and the chewy noodles will lift your spirits. Along with mushrooms, carrots, and of course peppers, the broth is beef-based.
The popularity of Shin Ramyun, which was created in 1986, has led to record-breaking sales (according to Business Korea), with US sales in 2018 topping $225 million. The round shape of the noodles makes them ideal for dropping into a pot of boiling water, which is the main factor in their popularity. According to The Ramen Rater, the powerful Korean brand has 11 factories worldwide, allowing it to sell its noodles for an incredible deal: each serving costs about $1 (a 20-pack on Amazon costs just over $20). Let’s be honest about the health rating: Shin Ramyun isn’t particularly healthy, and good ramen in general isn’t either. But this ramen is exceptional.
The maker of the renowned Cup Noodles, Nissin, is the best instant ramen brand. Few people are aware that a man named Momofuku Ando created the first instant ramen in the world in 1948 when he was only 48 years old, and it had a chicken flavor. A short time later, in 1971, Ando created the global sensation known as Cup Noodles.
Before you go knocking on Cup Noodles’ door, remember that it has been a classic for more than 50 years and has a museum in Osaka dedicated to it for a reason. It is dependable and has protected a lot of people with sensitive stomachs from bad airplane food. In 2017, the company introduced a Very Veggie Line for vegetarians (per Mic). The Demae Ramen Instant Noodle, a classic that is available in roasted beef, sesame oil, and tonkotsu flavors, is made by Nissin, and its distinctive seafood flavor packs a satisfying umami punch. For the English-speaking market, the Top Ramen line has been branded, and it even provided the inspiration for a Pringles flavor. This notoriety and the fact that the products are consistently top-notch led us to give Nissin the top spot in this ranking.
Samyang 2x Spicy Hot Chicken Buldak Ramen, 5-Pack
On a chilly winter night, few things are more satisfying than a bowl of Momofuku Noodle Bar’s Smoked Pork Ramen. But there’s always their packaged ramen if you can’t bring yourself to leave home. The noodles, which are a collaboration with the well-known Taiwanese brand A-Sha, are air-dried rather than fried in Momofuku’s version, and they use ingredients like Sichuan peppercorns for ramen that is bursting with flavor. The Tingly Chili Wavy Noodles are my favorite variety; they have just enough chili paste to make you sweat. The Soy & Scallion has a sweet-leaning mixture of soy and sesame oil if you don’t like spice. —Kate Kassin, editorial operations associate.
If you’ve ever consumed a bowl of tonkotsu ramen from the Japanese chain Ichiran, you are aware of how flavorful and complex the broth is. I’m happy to report that, although not exactly like the restaurant, the brand’s ramen kit’s broth is superior to any other instant noodles I’ve tried. Firm noodles and their original spicy seasoning are also provided in the kit along with their renowned tonkotsu broth packet. I enjoy adding a few nori pieces, green onions, a soft-boiled egg, chunks of pork, and mushrooms. I almost feel as though I’m in one of the lone Ichiran stalls, blissfully enjoying each spoonful. Although this Japanese ramen costs about $10 per serving, I find it to be a worthwhile indulgence. —J. D.
I mention Shin Ramyun, my ultimate crush, when people inquire about my college sweetheart. When my roommate slid me a bowl late one night in the dorms, we connected. I gobbled it up, and as I did, my forehead began to shine. I was completely sucked in by the mouth-clearing, peppery broth and the springy, flavorful noodles. I still am. On the many days when I can hardly bring myself to cook anything at all, they are quick and filling. They only need hot water, but I frequently add any leftover vegetables from my fridge. —Jesse Sparks, contributor.
Making tonkotsu broth from scratch is time consuming. If you’re not up for 12 hours of (rewarding) work, Sapporo Ichiban’s consistently reliable tonkotsu flavor has won over many guests over the years. This Japanese instant ramen’s rich, creamy broth is much thicker and creamier than most others on the market, and its salty pork flavor evokes the flavor of long, slow-cooking marrow bones. Its the next best thing to homemade. When I’m in a bind, I keep several packages in the pantry for quick meals. When I’m entertaining guests, I’ll dress it up with some greens and shiitake mushrooms. —Gigi Wong, senior analyst.
When I was in middle school, I went through a phase where I cooked ramen almost every day after school. In particular, I made Nissin Demae Ramen with Sesame Oil, which comes in a red package with the recognizable little delivery boy hard at work. My brother and I would alternate “ramen duty” and we always had a cabinet full of instant noodles. Sometimes we’d add spinach, an egg, or little meatballs made of ground pork, but it’s also very filling on its own, thanks to the nuttiness of the sesame oil and the perfect amount of chewiness of the noodles. —K. K.
Mike’s Mighty Good Fried Garlic Chicken Ramen Soup
Tasting Notes:
This ramen’s broth has a lovely, unctuous flavor of fried garlic, and there are even tiny bits of dried garlic swirling about. The flavor is rounded out by the chicken notes, giving it a creamy mouthfeel and a mild, comforting flavor. But when I opened the packet, I was shocked to see the fewest noodles I had ever seen before—a tightly wound ball that you are supposed to drop into only one 5 cups of water.
However, it produced a surprisingly substantial amount that was filling (possibly because I plan to eat five packaged ramen meals today). While the noodles are good, they don’t have much bite or chew.
The bottom line:
With fewer organic noodles used, this craft ramen is undoubtedly more Westernized and modern. Nevertheless, I found the dish to be quite appetizing and filling.
Momofuku Soy & Scallion Noodles
Tasting Notes:
Famous restaurateur David Chang and his staff at Momofuku collaborated with A-Sha to create a line of noodles you can make at home. I followed the bare-bones version of Momofuku’s online instructions to convert them into ramen soup despite the fact that they were intended to be consumed dry. I only used the ingredients listed in the packet and one tablespoon of Momofuku Spicy Seasoning Salt to serve as a seasoning packet. The noodles, which are flat and wide with a great texture and fresh flavor, immediately won me over. The broth was tasty as well, though it might have benefited from some upscale additions and more spicy seasoning salt.
The bottom line:
Noodle quality is impressive, but given Momofuku’s reputation, I’m not surprised. Prepare to spend a little more time, money, and effort on the broth in order to make delicious ramen.
FAQ
Which brand of ramen noodles is best?
- Mama – Creamy Tom Yum. …
- Nongshim – Shin Ramen. …
- Indomie – Mi Goreng. …
- Nissin Cup Noodle – Curry. …
- Paldo – Jjajangmen. …
- A-Sha Momofuku Collab – Soy & Scallion Noodles. …
- Maggi – Masala. …
- Maruchan Gold – Soy Sauce.
What is the number 1 ramen in the world?
1 Ramen (Tsukemen) Tomita’s tsukemen is just as good as you would expect. It’s the pinnacle of tonkotsu gyokai (pork and fish tsukemen).
What is the most delicious type of ramen?
- Shoyu. Want. Photo: @ao._taku / Instagram. …
- Tonkotsu. Prepare for the most delightful food coma you’ve ever had.
- Shio. Sodium game strong. …
- Miso. Need. …
- Tsukemen. Dip ’em, dip ’em good. …
- Instant Ramen Noodles. Hey, there’s no reason you shouldn’t experiment a little with it!
Is Top Ramen or maruchan better?
Top Ramen noodles tend to have a stronger flavor and richer flavor when it comes to taste and richness of flavor, while Maruchan noodles tend to have a milder flavor, though the flavors are still quite distinct. The noodles in both dishes are the same; they are both bouncy and do a good job of retaining the sauce and broth.
