Best Non-Traditional Instant Noodle

Hi All,

We have a comp going with friends about the best (tasty) instant noodle we can find and was seeing if anyone had any obscure instant noodles that they could recommend.
I'm looking for recommendations outside of the normal mi goreng, maggie etc that you buy off of the shelves at a Coles or Woolworths super market.

We have a few Asian supermarkets around us and my go to when I can find them is the Nissin UFO noodle bowl, so I am hoping for ideas like that.

Cheers in advance!

Comments

  • +3

    Ichiran. Not obscure, but harder to find than Nissin, Maggi, etc.

    • +1

      Surprisingly I’ve seen this at a few grocers in Melbourne. One on Bourke St (who also have the bowl version) and one at the Glen SC.

      Also available at a Japanese mart around the Crows Nest area in Sydney.

      • Yeah they're more widely available (Thai Kee IGA, Maruyu, Convein8 and MD Ranking stock them in Sydney CBD), but not as easy as grabbing some Nissin from the local Asian grocery shop down the road.

        They're pricey, but delicious.

    • I've only seen it at Miniso so far, cost about $10 a packet 🥲

      • Should get two in that packet? If so, that's actually cheap.

        • Why 2? I meant it's $50+ for pack of 5, I can't bring myself to buy it yet lol

          • @MeesusEff: The way you worded, it sounded like you found them for $10 for a box of two or five. And yeah $10 a serving is on the higher end; those prices are if you got the two servings set. It's $40-$45 for five in Sydney

  • +3

    Samyang Buldak spicy noodles are hands-down the best. Thought this was common knowledge.
    .
    https://www.samyangfoods.com/eng/index.do

    • 3 x Hot for the win!
      comes with a warning;
      Disclaimer: This product is used strictly at the purchaser’s risk. By purchasing this product, you understand the dangers associated with the consumption of extreme-heat products, and there-by release ChilliBOM from all liability in relation to damages or injuries resulting from the consumption or contact with this product.

  • +3

    Maggie curry masala from indian store.

    • +2

      This stuff is nice. Cook down some tomato and onion, then add the spice packs, water and the noodles…chef kiss

      Can also find it at Coles in the international aisle.

  • +3

    https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/827756/pri…

    I swear these used to be more like $4 everyday price . My two local Asian shops are currently still more expensive than woolies.
    These are by far the best 'non-traditional 2min' I've tried.

    I had this one too in JP some years back , you can get it locally from Calia. Overrated imo.
    https://calia.co/products/nissin-1-michelin-star-nakiryu-tan…

    • I had this one too in JP some years back , you can get it locally from Calia. Overrated imo.

      The broth is amazing. The noodle, not so much. Its still better than waiting outside their restaurant. I waited 90 minutes and I wasn't even impressed. My local train station ramen was better and that would cost me 300 yen.

      You can get these for cheaper too. The Asian grocer at Melbourne Central sells them for $7.95.

      • +1

        The Asian grocer at Melbourne Central sells them for $7.95.
        For $7.95 I'd prob get some again just for the memories of a better time.

        I only linked Calia because it's the most convienient for those who dont have access to this particular offering as they post.
        I've searched 5 asian shops in Brisbane and havent found this one, just the usuals.

        As for ramen in Japan - I felt so spoilt, like you could pick just about any random place and they would have an offering that would blow away chain stores like Hakataya 6 ways from Sunday.

  • +4

    Daiso have these ramen packets that honestly taste better than some actual ramen shops (I've only had the tonkotsu flavour one, so can't vouch for the other flavours).

    Heres the only images i can find of it
    https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.daisos…

    • Thanks going to try these if I can find them.

  • +1

    Nissin - Michelin Star Nakiryu Tan Tan Noodle

    not easy to get, its a michelin star instant noodle. usually get at 7/11 in japan
    damn its good, the soup is rich and spicy and fatty lolz

    https://traveljapanmarketplace.com/products/nissin-michelin-…

  • there’s these new (well, new here but I saw them in Asia a few years ago), where they come in a box (about the side of a loaf of bread) and you add hot water and leave them for a few minutes. But they’re like a whole meal, I’ve seen ones that have rice and fish and vegetables but there’s also ones that are like hotpot style flavour

    • Seen similar looking things here in Asian supermarkets. Somewhat expensive, not exactly sure how much food you're getting but it looks like a decent amount.

  • +1

    Nissin,
    black garlic tonkotsu instant ramen
    shoyu tonkotsu ramen

    most of the japanese 7/11 exclusive ramens

    • +3

      The Nissin black garlic tonkotsu is really good but I’d hardly call it obscure.

  • +2

    Nissin's Cup Noodle Curry flavor is the bomb. Used to have one after school every day, and later, after work, in Japan. And I bring a suitcase full of them every time I go back to Japan. You can now find them in most Japanese grocers and they are so good.

  • +2

    I really like the la mian laksa instant noodles, they taste pretty legit. Only very select Woolies and coles have them

    https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/827756/pri…

  • +2

    These are a bit different and a little on the expensive side, but perhaps marginally healthier. Definitely not what I'd grab for a spicy rich bowl of noodles, but an alternative option. I enjoy the chicken or beef ones.
    https://www.mrleesnoodles.com/au/shop/noodles

  • I'm looking for recommendations outside of the normal mi goreng

    I'm sorry, but instant noodles peaked with mi goreng in my books :)

  • Best Non-Traditional Instant Noodle

    McJobsons Haggis Noodles

  • +1

    The entire Kang Shifu range. There are so many awesome flavours you can probably have a different one for a month.

  • -1

    Best Non-Traditional Instant Noodle

    Here you go…

    • +1

      Cathy Mitchell would be proud.

  • +1

    Some of the Taiwanese ones are pretty good.
    Often overlooked for Japanese and Korean.
    Ichiban Delicious as example. It has 'real beef'.

  • Sadly, these chaps in Melbourne never post anymore, but I recommend their site https://www.ramenregretrater.com/

  • +1

    Wei li spicy beef flavour noodle.

    https://www.pinterest.ie/pin/783767141376940982/

  • Neoguri !
    Pick red for spicy, and orange for mild ~

    A little water (don't go crazy unless you want it to be a blander soup)

    Add egg for flair (generally towards the end, when the water starts boiling if you want the noodles to be al dente)

    Add mince, leafy greens and/or fish balls if you want it to be a bit heartier (cook first if you don't want your noodles to be soggy)

    $4-5.50 for a pack of 5 at the Asian Store

    Neoguri is the bar me and my partner use when going out and eating ramen/soup -
    Sadly, not many can make it. It's too good lol

  • there used to be a hot mushroom from a korean brand, I havent seen it at any shop the past few years and they are bringing in another type. I cant eat that spicy anymore so im not that fussed

    • there used to be a hot mushroom from a korean brand

      I know which one you're talking about as it's my favourite! Samyang Yukgaejang. Thai Kee IGA in the city sells them.

  • Have a look at the Japanese food import wholesalers, they have online stores:

    https://www.jfcaustralia.com.au/services/product/items/all/a…
    https://www.jfcaustralia.com.au/services/product/items/all/a…

    https://ichibajunction.com.au/products/list.php?category_id=…

    I saw this the other day: "Kore Zettai Umai Ya, Tonkotsu Shoyu" which translates to "This is absolutely delicious!, Pork-bone broth soy sauce". No idea if the taste matches the confidence in the label.
    https://shop-vic.fujimart.com.au/products/kore-zettai-umai-t…

  • Marutai

    It has a good range of different region styles of ramen, and tastes pretty good. So erm, actually this can mean the styles are quite traditional, but the ramen is more obscure outside Japan than the commonly known brands. It costs probably on similar level or slightly cheaper than Ichiran.

    I've seen them being found sometimes in Asian grocery stores, Thai kee IGA, maybe Tokyo mart? I've found their dates to be short/not too long in general, perhaps they are marketed more as legit ramen noodles/not instant (although it cooks rather instant).

    Edit: and online, of course
    https://snackaffair.com.au/?s=Marutai&post_type=product

    https://dokodemo.world/en/maker/632/

  • +1

    Thanks legends, I won the comp with Ichiran.

    • +1

      Did you like them yourself?

      • +1

        Yeah they were really good, had them last night for dinner in fact

  • I grew up with Malaysian instant noodles, you can find them easily in asian grocers:
    Maggi Assam Laksa (Blue) or Chicken (Green) with a poached egg and a teaspoon or two of salted butter. The chicken flavour is different to the Aussie Maggi Chicken (i don't know why).
    Maggi Kari/Curry (Red) with a tablespoon of milo and a fried egg
    Myojo Mee Poh Dry Noodles is just fantastic, Char mee is pretty good too.

    I was backpacking through South Korea and my hostel manager introduced this to me:
    SamYang Instant Ramen (Orange package) with a poached egg and a slice of Kraft Singles Cheese.

Login or Join to leave a comment