Sadly, my best ramen source Noodelight went out of business over the pandemic. However, many of my favorite noodles I learned to love for their various attributes can still be acquired elsewhere. I will help you locate and distinguish ramens you are likely to love! There is no replacement for actually trying them yourself, and of course you are welcome to try all of them- or pick a few that sound like you will actually prefer them and go from there.
The links below the pictures are affiliate links, so if you’re interested please purchase through those! Also, take a look at my post on ramen related gifts for your ramen loving friends. (Link below.)
Healthy Ramens!
Viteramen is an extremely impressive product, stats wise. Each ramen round packs a mean 23 grams of protein!! The protein is both plant based, and complete. Now, I have only tried the plain noodles because the flavor packs are a bit on the pricey side- I’m sure I would get addicted and then have another expensive habit. But the noodles themselves were too interesting not to try.. Now because of the nutrient density of these noodles, the texture is going to be different then what you are used to. They are probably the chewiest, bounciest noodle I have ever encountered. Rather pleasant, but sometimes I just want delicious deep fried noodles.
Asha ramen really deserves a mention. In spite of, or perhaps because of the simple, healthy cook style and ingredients- it really tastes fabulous. It deserves a stove top experience, and tastes much better as a soupless noodle also. It’s not quite as thick a noodle as buldak or even shin black, but it does have a nice bounce if you don’t overcook it.
The company also deserves an honorable mention because they are a small business in the U.S. who prides themselves on paying living wages to their employees. Definitely worth giving them a try! Maybe some day I will try their flavor packs too- until then, let me know in the comments what you thought if you do!
I find that ramens with a soup booster pack (usually an oil) tend to be better for some reason, and that’s definitely true of this one. They are a little on the pricier side, yet they keep selling out because they are loved.
This is a really lovely noodle for the soak in boiling water method of cooking. It is a bit delicate so I wouldn’t recommend much heavier duty cooking methods. The “tonkatsu” is in quotations marks likely because no actual pork is present in this, as far as I can see from the ingredients list (which you can peruse on amazon.) In my opinion, that is a credit to its name because it somehow packs an amazing flavorful punch despite being vegetarian, with sesame, garlic and onion being the dominant flavors, yet some how rich and deep in a way I usually only expect from meaty broths.
These two are my go-to flavors anyway, and some of the others in the variety packs weren’t worth mentioning to me so take that for what it’s worth. These are also a soak style ramen.
Ok, I promise I won’t just make the whole list Menraku flavors. But this one deserves note, and is different enough from the tonkotsu to mention it. The “soupless” style ramen has such an interesting, layered flavor I am not sure quite how to describe it. It has a smidgen of spice, but my 3 year old has eaten and enjoyed it if that gives some perspective. available in the variety pack anyway, though spicy miso, spicy sesame and the like are also really good.
This is by far my favorite instant pho so far. It is made in a facility that processes wheat, so even though the noodles are rice it wouldn’t quite work for the truly extreme celiacs sufferers amongst us. For the gentler gluten sensitivities, this is perfect. Or for people who just enjoy the variety of rice noodles, of course! This is also better suited to the soaking in boiling water per the instructions, rather than stove top or microwave cooking.
Shin black is another favorite, but you need a little more time for this one because the noodle is really hearty and chewy- you should cook it on the stove. I love to use the tik tok ramen hack with these ones (egg, kewpie, mince garlic, stir with boiling broth. Add green onions, maybe cilantro for a Ren August twist, and there you have it. Rich creamy broth for days with just the right spice… I digress.) Shin Black is a little gentler spice level than Shin red, but still has a nice kick.
These are another heartier, bouncier noodle that really deserves stove top attention but unlike shin black they are meant to be made “soupless.” Taste with care- have a glass of milk on hand if you can.
Buldak ramen is… not for the faint of heart. When I say this will probably give you heart burn, I mean it. This isn’t just white american spicy, this is actual spicy. For this brand I actually do suggest the variety pack, they are similar spice levels in my opinion though some claim the carbonara, cheese and corn varieties take some of the sting out. I’m not the one to ask because I have to use half the spicy paste pack even if I add a bunch of neutralizing things like cheese and egg and cream. I actually really liked the tomato flavor also, though I added additional tomato sauce to mine because I am a hoe for tomatoes.
For the adventurous among us, a ramen variety pack could be just the dopamine mine needed. A bit of a gamble, but hopefully the surprise won’t disappoint. Comes in either regular or spicy versions.
(Spicy)
(Largest size)
Ramen Additives!
Plus it’s vegan and gluten free, so even your food restriction ramen lovers can enjoy. I will probably be gifting some of my loved ones this sauce this year.
Chili oils can pump up even the most basic ramen, or really any soup. (In fact, I may be a fanatic but I swear by putting it on just about anything savory- eggs and corned beef hash most recently, and many more.) If you and your ramen loving friend haven’t tried this one yet, please do. In fact, I give you permission to buy yourself a bottle right along the one you get for your friend. I first encountered it as a very well thought out christmas gift from a family member- they did a lot of research so I didn’t have to, and this was the chili oil that came out on top. This gift really has continued giving, and even as I buy new bottles for myself I remember who first introduced us.