The Ultimate Ranking Of Instant Ramen Brands
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Do you believe in love at first sight? How about in an instant? Sure, instant ramen may conjure nauseous memories of dorm room days when the 60-cent package was all that could be budgeted for, but there is still something to celebrate about the extremely salty and incredibly satisfying meal. Instant ramen has a larger, almost noble, part of global cuisine history. After the Second World War and the bombing of Japan, the island was struggling to feed itself. Businessman Momofuku Ando sought to provide a cheap and instant version of a nationally beloved dish: ramen.
By the end of the '50s, Ando had perfected his recipe, which evolved into a still much-celebrated brand by the '70s: Cup Noodles. In the following 50 years, instant ramen has become a global phenomenon as many people enjoy the convenience of the quick dish, whether they are in a pinch or looking for comfort food. Instant noodles have since further evolved, and now include different styles inspired by various cuisines. We've compiled the ultimate ranking of instant ramen you'll want to eat, as well as those to avoid when looking for your noodle fix.
14. Cup Noodles pumpkin spice flavor
Some foods seek unabashed shock value, and Cup Noodles' pumpkin spice variety is a perfect example. As manufacturer Nissin commented upon the flavor's release, sometimes it's worth crossing into the absurd with food. Granted, bringing pumpkin spice and instant noodles together feels like a TikTok challenge or a plan to inspire some buzz online. Heinously, the packaging suggests topping the noodles with whipped cream to complete the meal.
Nonetheless, some consumers did venture into the Cup Noodles foray into fall fun, coming back with answers, and more importantly, reviews for those who would rather not fork over money for the controversial flavor. One reviewer for The Takeout maintains that while the pumpkin spice flavor is meant to be goofy, it is a good way to reflect on what exactly does (and doesn't) make pumpkin spice good. They comment that the pumpkin spice noodles strike a churning middle point between a pumpkin curry and PSL. Beyond that, the reviewer notes a confusing licorice aftertaste and savory notes of onion.
When it comes to enjoying instant ramen, you're better off skipping Cup Noodles pumpkin spice in favor of something better. However, given that the brand re-released its fall noodles in 2022, those with a hankering for fusion cuisine are advised to keep their eyes peeled during PSL season.
13. Public Goods ramen
On the other side of the instant ramen spectrum is Public Goods, a brand that aims to create sustainable and organic alternatives to classic household amenities, including comfort food. Sadly, its take on instant ramen misses the mark, however slightly.
Public Goods instant ramen is made from organic wheat noodles that haven't been deep-fried, which gives it a slightly healthier edge. The noodles have a soy sauce-leaning flavor, and the brand promises that just like any other instant ramen, the dish will be ready in minutes. However, it tends to lack the bold flavors that other instant ramen meals are known and loved for.
At the date of writing, a five-pack of Public Goods Noodles costs $10.95. For those looking for a way to indulge in a late-night snack with better ingredients and an organic spin, this is definitely the way to go. But in the grand cosmos of instant ramen, the goal is to get as much bang for your buck with a mélange of flavors and ingredients. There are certainly better alternatives out there to get your fix more deliciously and innovatively.
12. Mike's Mighty Good vegetarian ramen
Some instant ramen falls into the vegetarian or vegan category when the ingredients don't contain any animal products, even when the intention isn't to create a plant-based item. Mike's Mighty Good vegetarian ramen, however, seeks to make a vegetarian option for instant ramen fans while providing an artisanal alternative. The brand has some pretty big goals and promises, claiming that its instant ramen contains less salt than the average over-salted product. It's also non-GMO and made with organic noodles. The brand emphasizes its high-quality ramen broth as a major selling point, and all in all, this should be an elevated instant experience.
While reviews remain generally favorable, one reviewer on Amazon notes that the actual recipe falls short of its lofty aims. They comment that the broth spice doesn't dissolve particularly well and remains a bit gritty well after cooking. The customer also notes that this product is on the pricier side, with a six-pack costing about $20 on Amazon at the date of writing.
11. Samyang hot cheese ramen
Cheese and ramen? Wait before disparaging this as it isn't just a gimmicky combination! The pairing of cheese and ramen is rumored to date back to the Korean War when American soldiers brought cheese rations to the peninsula. Locals, enjoying the newly introduced cheap food, began to tinker with it and incorporate it into local dishes, such as ramyeon, a Korean equivalent to ramen. Given that it's been around for so long and carried over generations, there might just be something to this cheesy noodle combo.
For those looking to combine a Korean tradition with a fiery twist, Samyang hot cheese and chicken ramen cannot be missed. The ramen is sold in a pack of five and combines stellar flavors of hot sauce, chicken, and cheese with seaweed flakes for a bit of umami. Simply put, this is a Korean ramen with a whole lot going on. Reviewers agree, and one customer on Amazon noted that the ramen had a spice level similar to Hot Cheetos.
For those that like it both cheesy and reasonably hot, the Samyang hot cheese and chicken ramen is the way to go! If you want to take it one step further, the reviewer noted that they amended the recipe by adding an additional slice of cheese and scallions to layer more texture and flavor to their jam-packed bowl.
10. Daisho ramen
Daisho hakata tonkotsu ramen is a far cry from the cheaper packages you'll find in the grocery store aisle, priced at $23.99 for a three-pack on Amazon. It may be counterintuitive to spend that much for instant ramen, but those who love it swear by it, and one reviewer on Amazon described it as similar to traditional ramen.
Ramen supplier NikanKitchen weighs in on the qualities that make this ramen so good, and it's all about the broth. The supplier notes that hakata tonkotsu is a specific style of ramen that uses pork bone broth, which gives the soup an extremely rich flavor. Daisho instant ramen uses soy sauce powder to create a similar effect as pork bone, effectively making it completely vegetarian.
The RahRah Ramen Review chronicles one blogger's exploration of all things instant ramen and praises Daisho for delivering a rich pork bone flavor with noodles that taste fresh. The blogger commends this ramen for being to just about everyone's liking and only takes off points for the unoriginal flavor profile. Brands don't always need to reinvent the wheel; sometimes they just need to make it really good.
9. Nongshim Shin black soup
Nongshim is Korea's biggest instant ramyun brand and is held in high praise for both its easy method and the comfort it delivers in one bowl. We'd be remiss not to bring it up when discussing some of the titans of the ramen world. The Nongshim Shin black is a celebratory ramyun that was concocted for the brand's 25th anniversary. The company intended for this particular version to be elevated and opted for a beef bone broth that makes the ramyun particularly flavorful. Red and green peppers give the soup a slightly spicy edge, presumably, to cut through the richness of the broth.
Although customers generally enjoy the ramen as evidenced by Amazon reviews, they don't really see the vision of the promised "premium" edge that Nongshim markets. A reviewer concedes that while the brand offers a larger volume of noodles than competitors, the flavor is a bit lacking and the spice doesn't have much intensity to it. If you find yourself with a bowl of Nongshim Shin black, try adding Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce for flavor and heat.
8. Cup Noodles seafood ramen
No one does it quite like the original, and Cup Noodles can be considered the granddad of instant ramen brands – though make no mistake, this brand is still alive and kicking. Among the vast array of Cup Noodles flavors, its seafood variety is worth digging into, especially as it cites it as one of its best-selling flavors, right alongside the original. That's saying a lot if you can keep up with the OG!
At the date of writing, Cup Noodles seafood ramen is sold as a six-pack on Amazon for about $18. Some reviewers give the variety the high praise of being just about the best instant seafood ramen to be bought, though they warn that it has an extremely fishy aroma. Those living in dorm rooms or shared apartments should keep this in mind when cooking. Nonetheless, even the original creator of instant noodles can continue to branch out, and Cup Noodles' seafood ramen is an excellent product.
7. Nissin Top Ramen chicken
The Nissin Chicken Top Ramen was intended, or at least marketed, as a slightly healthy alternative to classic chicken flavors from the brand. Nissin describes its Top Ramen as having both no MSG and less salt, although one package still contains as much as 1590 mg of sodium. For reference, that is about the average amount of salt The Institute of Medicine recommends for total daily intake, according to The Life Span Organization. Suffice it to say, even when enjoying healthier ramen alternatives, keep in mind, that they often still contain high levels of salt and additives.
Top Ramen is extremely price-conscious, and on the date of writing, a five-pack of top ramen ran about $7.50 on Amazon. As one reviewer on Amazon observes, top ramen takes comfort food to a new level. For an extra boost, try adding vegetables for a healthful edge to this dish. When it comes to ramen, Top Ramen chicken is a certified classic and something to keep by your side in sickness and in health.
6. Maruchan lime chili shrimp ramen
Maruchan is another giant of the instant ramen game and has been on the global market for almost as long as Cup Noodles. For seafood lovers, it would be a crime to talk about ramen without mentioning Maruchan's lime chili shrimp ramen in our selection. Priced on Amazon at an astounding $5.76 for a 24-pack at the date of writing, Maruchan remains the most economical choice on the list. Not to mention, it combines a more complex flavor profile with the citrus notes, heat from the chili, and light notes of the shrimp.
One reviewer praises Maruchan for pulling this flavor off with aplomb. They compliment the ramen for functioning as a good flavorful base that allows the consumer to taste all of the promised flavors. But, the reviewer also recommends adding a twist of lime and extra hot sauce to play off of the existing flavors.
5. Nongshim kimchi ramyun
Both kimchi and ramyun are staple dishes of South Korea, and it seems only natural that the two would be combined in one mouthwatering bowl. The ramen company Nongshim even claims that kimchi ramyun is Korea's national dish. For those looking to have a taste of one of the more interesting international cuisines, kimchi ramyun is certainly a great introduction to Korean comfort food.
Nongshim's kimchi ramyun is somewhat expensive for instant noodles, and at the date of writing, costs about $15 for a pack of four on Amazon. Described by one reviewer as their favorite easy noodle dish to whip up at home and a great lunch for busy days, it's apparent that the brand's kimchi noodles are worth the slight investment. The reviewer suggests modifying the ramen with mushrooms and fresh vegetables. We'd venture a bet that an extra dose of fresh kimchi would further enhance the enticing flavor of this ramen dish.
4. Neoguri spicy seafood ramen
As one confused reviewer on Amazon confirms, the Nongshim's Neoguri spicy seafood ramyun is both spicy and chock-full of seafood. This means, that when slurping on these noodles, you get exactly what you ordered. If spice and seafood aren't a part of your palate, this is not the instant ramen for you. If this flavor profile is up your alley, then look no further because you may have just found the perfect product to try.
At the date of writing, a pack of 16 goes for $37 on Amazon, which could be a bargain depending on your local grocery store prices, as customers mention in reviews. For those who favor bold flavors, the Nongshim Neoguri spicy seafood ramyun is a great investment. To build on the dish's tasty foundation, try adding a bit of kimchi to further enhance the nuances and flavors, as well as layer on more texture.
3. Nongshim shin original ramyun
The Nongshim ramyun company is known for many different flavors, but there is no messing with the original one. One Amazon reviewer describes the original ramyun as an instant ramen staple that anyone would be advised to try at least once, and we'd have to agree.
From bottom to top, or better yet from the base to any toppings you sprinkle on, this ramyun has a magnificent broth and spicy, yet rich flavor. The reviewer notes that this is the only instant ramen they feel the need to add some additional salt to. That being said, upon checking the product's nutritional contents, it is worth noting that this particular product contains 1840 mg of sodium per package, which is a large proportion of the recommended daily intake. At the time of writing, a 20-pack of the original ramyun flavor is available for about $31.50 on Amazon.
2. Samyang spicy hot chicken buldak ramen
Samyang is another Korean instant noodle brand that's capitalized on the ongoing instant ramen craze. As its overseas export increase, we're starting to see a lot more stellar content from a rising star in the ramen market here in the States. One of the brand's bestsellers is its buldak spicy chicken ramen. If buldak sounds familiar, you may better know it as a viral TikTok brand that has garnered a lot of attention. Both eager TikTokers and viral mukbangers have long challenged themselves to enjoy the spicy noodles as much as possible.
As one may be able to tell by the ramen's name and challenge, Samyang's spicy hot chicken flavor is an unapologetically spicy dish that doesn't hold back. That being said, there's more to it than being extremely spicy. On the Walmart website, the spicy chicken ramen has overwhelmingly positive reviews and comments noting that the ramen delivers on heat, flavor, and quality. Not to mention, for a trending ramen product the price is relatively low: A five-pack at the date of writing was about $7 at Walmart.
1. Itsuki kyushu tonkotsu
Still, there is one instant ramen brand that just hits differently. As described by NikanKitchen, Itsuki kyushu tonkotsu pork flavor ramen delivers the flavor of decadently rich pork bone broth instantly. Interestingly, this particular ramen is nonetheless vegetarian and contains no actual pork or pork by-products.
At about $9 on Amazon for one two-serving pack at the time of writing, Itsuki ramen is slightly pricier than other brands. But as one reviewer praises, the portion size is good and the ramen is of a high quality they fell in love with upon first taste. They further complimented the speed at which the ramen is ready to eat and the rich taste that defines good tonkotsu ramen. Another reviewer weighs in that Itsuki is a reputable instant ramen brand that consistently crafts high-quality products. In addition to pork, the reviewer notes that the ramen has aromas of miso and fish that contribute to a deeper flavor.