Nissin Demae Ramen Five Spices Artificial Beef Flavor

Made By:  Nissin Foods (Hong Kong)
Required to prepare:  Saucepan & Range, 500cc water
460 calories per package

(Available online through Amazon.com)

One thing about making the transition from unemployed to self-employed is that there are more demands on time--just because there is a lot of work to do for the business doesn't mean there's suddenly less housework to make up for it.  So where does the Ramen Butterfly turn when she wants a quick and easy lunch?  Instant noodles to the rescue!

Today's rescuer is this Five Spices Artificial Beef Flavor ramen from Nissin of Hong Kong.  For those unfamiliar, the five spices in Chinese five-spice can actually vary a little, but the main flavor note is always a cinnamon-clove-anise blend of some sort.  (It's actually not that far removed from an American pumpkin-pie spice blend.)  It's an interesting flavor, but one that can be overpowering if used irresponsibly, so we'll see how it translates into a ramen flavor.

Inside the package we find a very typical block of ramen, and two seasoning packets--a soup base, and a small amount of seasoning oil (which has kind of a french-onion thing going on).  We boil our 500cc [2-1/4 cups] of water, add the noodles and cook for three minutes, then add the flavorings and serve!

The noodles have a nicer texture than I had remembered Nissin Demae noodles being; they actually have a very pleasant mouthfeel.  The broth is a very nice balance between a beef broth and the five spice flavor; the five-spice is definitely noticeable but it isn't too strong.  Being a Nissin Demae product, there are of course no vegetables or faux-meat bits to review, but those can be a distraction as easily as they can be a feature anyway. I would have to say that out of the three Nissin Demae products I've reviewed so far, this one is probably my favorite!  I certainly wouldn't mind having this one again. :)

Doll Instant Noodle Shrimp Wonton Flavor

Made By:  Winner Food Products Ltd. (Hong Kong)
Tools Required:  Saucepan & Range, Water, Bowl & utensils
440 calories per package

(Available online through Amazon.com)

I like to try to find flavors that sound unique and interesting, but often, I choose certain products to purchase and review simply because they amuse me.  This Doll brand ramen is a Shrimp Wonton flavor, which sounds sort of interesting, although I don't really know how "wonton" would translate into a soup flavor and I expect it to just taste like shrimp.  But, the emblem in the bottom corner declaring "Yummy" is sort of funny to me, and when I flipped the package over to discover that the maker is Winner Food Products, it became a must-try.  A Winner is you!

Anyway, inside the package are a block of slightly-thinner-than-average ramen noodles, and a single dry soup base packet.  It seems a bit basic, but you can't always judge the flavor by the number of seasoning packets, so I'm keeping an open mind.  Instructions are to add the noodles to 500ml (roughly 2 cups) of boiling water, simmer for three minutes, then stir in the soup base and serve.  Nothing out of the ordinary there, so we are ready to move on to the tasting!

First, though, I can't help but notice that for an imported ramen, these have some seriously plain-looking broth.  I stirred a bit and did eventually see a green herb flake lurking in there (dehydrated leek, according to the ingredient list), but otherwise it is just pale noodles floating in pale broth.  Well, you can't always judge the flavor by the color of the broth, either, I guess.

The flavor of the broth is actually quite good!  It really does have a taste that is reminiscent of fried wonton among the seafood notes.  It's a pretty accurate rendition of a wonton soup flavor.  The noodles don't have a bad texture either; being as thin as they are, they don't stay as firm as some, but they don't seem soggy or sticky.  I am pleasantly surprised, and I thoroughly enjoyed these noodles.  Looks like they really are a Winner after all!  :D

Nissin Demae Ramen Curry Flavor

Made By:  Nissin (Hong Kong)
Tools Required:  Saucepan and Range, Bowl, Spoon & Chopsticks
Meal Size (450 calories per package)
Rating:  :D

(available online through Amazon.com)

Happy (U.S.) Presidents Day!  This is the day when we Americans pause to remember the long-past days when we actually had a likeable, effective President or two.  To mark the occasion, I probably should have chosen a patriotic, Made-in-the-USA domestic product, but instead I'm taking advantage of the day off to take care of some unfinished noodle business.  A while back, I did a pair of reviews of curry-flavored noodles, and this one got left out, so we are finishing the curry trilogy today!

Inside the packet, we find a very typical-looking brick of noodles, and a single yellow foil packet labelled "Soup Base".  The instructions say to boil 2-1/4 cups (500ml) of water, cook the noodles for three minutes, and then add the soup base right before serving--fairly straightforward stovetop directions that everyone should be familiar with.  After a quick stir, lunch is served!

As near as I can tell, Nissin Demae is the Hong Kong division's analogue to the domestic "Top Ramen" brand.  The noodles are about the same texture, which means they are a bit soft by imported-noodle standards.  They also share the trait of having broth that is completely unadorned by veggie bits or visible seasoning flecks.  The aroma is basically just straight curry powder, but the flavor is very reminiscent of a Japanese-style curry (like you might make with S&B's Golden Curry Mix).  In addition to the curry seasoning, there is a nice savory chicken flavor in there as well.  There doesn't seem to be any chili heat in this at all, it is strictly a savory, mild flavor.

I am actually quite pleasantly surprised; after the first two curry reviews I think I was expecting another rendition of Thai-style curry, and this turned out to be something altogether different--Japanese curry has practically nothing in common with Thai curry except the name. So while the quality of the noodles are probably on par with normal domestic ramen, the flavor was quite nice and seems fairly unique.  I'm looking forward to having this one again sometime! :D