Made By: Nissin USA
Tools Required: Microwave, Spoon & Chopsticks
Large Meal Size (580 calories per package)
Rating: :)
(available online through
buyasianfoods.com)
For today's review, I will be sampling one of Nissin USA's "Souper Meal" products. As near as I can tell, the marketing strategy here seems to be the same as with those Hungry-Man frozen dinners, or the Burger King Triple Whopper with Cheese--that is, that we understand that manly men have manly hunger and so we are going to provide curiously large portions of food designed to satisfy a curiously large appetite. When I think of it that way, it almost seems like a challenge; I may be a girly girl instead of a manly man, but my chopsticks and I are ready to take this thing on!
The bowl has three included seasoning packets along with the noodles: there is a powdered soup base and a packet of dehydrated stuff which I presume is the promised "Vegetable Medley," and then there is a pack of liquid seasoning labelled "Finishing Touch" which appears to contain soy sauce and some kind of oil. We add the first two packets to the bowl, fill with lots of water, and microwave uncovered for four-and-a-half minutes; then, right before serving, we add the Finishing Touch, which may be the corniest name for a flavor packet ever. The noodles don't appear to have cooked completely evenly, some of them are more glassy-looking than others, but at least none of them seem undercooked. I also notice a lot of herb flecks throughout, and our Vegetable Medley looks to be corn, cabbage, carrots, and maybe some mushrooms (although those might be the artificial chicken bits instead).
The broth has a nice hearty chicken and herb flavor; as far as ramen products go, it might be one of the better chicken broths I've tried. The noodles are all right, I guess; they are a little firmer than what one would expect from a Top Ramen, but they don't seem to have a lot of substance either. Overall, I would rate them as pleasant, though the phrase "quantity over quality" seems to come to mind.
Speaking of the quantity, I think I would say that the portion is probably a bit larger than it needs to be--out of curiosity, I measured the empty bowl once I was done eating, and learned that I had just eaten over three cups of soup. On the other hand, I really didn't have any trouble finishing the whole thing, so maybe it isn't that unreasonable after all. I will probably steer toward more sensible portions most of the time, but I imagine for someone with an extra-hearty appetite, this could be just the thing. :|
I like the Nissin Souper Meal, but I find it works better if you a. add some of your own fresh, sliced vegetables to it, and let the noodles sit after cooking for a few minutes, turning the soup over with a spoon occasionally, until the noodles absorb some of the broth and become more substantial.
ReplyDeleteTwo things II would like to know: a. what is in the "Finishing Touch" packet exactly, and b. why this is listed as two servings, as if you're going to eat half of it and then say "Whoa, that's just enough" and put the second half in the refrigerator for later. Really?