I guess you could consider this my disclosure statement about how I rate things. I mention how much I like many things on this blog and of course, these are all of my opinion. I think the photos and descriptions I do go a pretty long ways as to letting you know what’s going on. Since it’s a food though, descriptions only go so far – so if I say something sounds really good and you don’t like it, sorry – I like it. Same works the opposite – I might not like something and you might like it. Glad you like it – I don’t.
So there is a scale I have from 0.0 to 5.0 stars I use. 0.0 is bottom of the barrel. Tastes literally like crap. Foul smelling, tasting and even producing a gag like reflex. It’s gotta be pretty dang bad to rank this low and very few do. On the other hand, 5.0 stars is perfection; making me want to make another bowl or requiring me to call someone up and tell them how amazingly wonderful these noodles are – and I;’m happy to report there are quite a few of these I’ve had! Probably one of the reasons the blog keeps going is that I generally like most of the things I review.
Things that negatively affect my review – spongy/nasty noodles or too chewy with the consistency of Asiago cheese – yuck. I’ve rarely given bean thread a good review so if you like bean thread, maybe pay more attention to what I have to say about the flavor. Way too spicy with no flavor’s a no in my book. Things that up the review can be a variety of things – starting off with noodles with a nice consistency and a tasty broth with good character. Maybe more veggies, maybe an interesting added ingredient. Things that absolutely do not affect the reviews are the packaging (although neat packaging might make me quicker to buy at the store), included forks (everything would get a zero if I also reviewed the forks as I don’t like to eat plastic) or the fact whether it be in a pack, cup, bowl, etcetera.
Some people think that my review process is flawed. “Hey, you’re adding things like meat or veggies or… EGGS!” Well, yeah! Don’t you? I dunno – I’m eating this as a meal – this ain’t no wine tasting people! I don’t get a mouthful, swish it and then spit it out. Although if it’s bad enough, I certainly won’t be finishing the bowl. I give the review based on the BASE PRODUCT – not the eggs, veggies or anything else. I add. There are some that won’t like this and my advice to them is to start their own review site, using their own system of ratings and criteria. Some will argue that ‘This isn’t scientific!’ and I will say to them that I never said I was a scientist – I’m just a guy who likes noodles and likes to share my opinion on them.
I thought I should put in a note about where my instant noodles come from. They come from many places – I buy them, awesome blog fans send them to me out of pure kindness (I send them some stickers for their trouble and make a point to thank them in the reviews of their noodles), retailers (who again I thank by putting a link to them in the post) and sometimes even big distributors and corporations send me samples. I was asked ‘isn’t that a conflict of interest?’ My simple answer is no. It doesn’t matter who or what you are, I have to answer to the highest power of all. My taste buds. If I don’t like it, it’s going to be reflected point-wise as well as my writing in the review. If I do like it, the opposite will occur and a more favorable amount of points and words get used. Pretty simple, really; if I don’t like it, I say so and if I do like it, I say so. Whether you or a big company send me a pack, cup or bowl of items or anything promotional with them, it’s all going to come down to if I like the taste or not. I do however really like getting anything noodle related and appreciate it!
I don’t accept money to give a better review to a product. Sometimes you’ll see links on the reviews to where you can buy the noodles or the garnishes I use to top them – those pretty much are all going to Amazon – I get a little pinch of moolah when people use those links to buy anything – which is most appreciated.
Not much more to say than that – I really appreciate those who come and comment and check out the site! I like friendly disagreement as well – as long as it stays kind – these are noodles.
Hans “The Ramen Rater” Lienesch
4/24/2012
I have an amazing ramen noodle recipe that i use all the time. My friends, and i have cook-offs all the time. You should do your own cook-off videos with peoples recipes so you can try them out.
You know that’s awesome! Tell you what – if you make some videos I would be happy to link them on the site! Or even better, if you made your own ramen website I would link you you – I think you’ve got a great idea and don’t think anyone’s doing it!
- The Ramen Rater