Here’s one I found at the Bellevue, Washington Uwajimaya. Pricy stuff – $3.39 for a bowl noodle? Wow. Hope it’s good! Looks like Donbei is a style and tensoba is just a shortening of tempura soba. Let’s hit it!
The importer sticker.
All of the side panels (click image to enlarge).
This was underneath the lid (click image to enlarge). Looks like a contest – did I win? Anyone know about who/what the little musical character is? Check out the website.
Buckwheat soba.
Powder base.
Salty and almost lemony.
A tempura disc.
Has a definite seafood smell.
Finished (click image to enlarge). Added Urashima Sesame & Salt furikake. The noodles are very good – they have a nice strength to them and are square rather than round. I like them. The broth has a sweetness of soy and a nice comforting flavor. The tempura disc is crunchy and has a seafood taste. When it soaks up the broth, it lends itself to the other and has a nice heartiness. All in all, a great bowl of noodles. 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 4902105033746 – get it here!
Today marks the second annual The Ramen Rater’s Momofuku Ando Day! Who was Momofuku Ando? Well, if it weren’t for him, myself, tens of thousands of college students and millions and millions of people around the world would be hungry today. Momofuku Ando invented not only the instant noodle in 1958, but also the Cup Noodle which was introduced in 1971. The company he founded, Nissin Foods, still exists today and produces flavors of instant noodles for many countries in the world. Here in the US, Top Ramen and Cup Noodles are prevalent while in Japan more local flavors like Shoyu (soy sauce) or Shio (salt) can be found. In the Philippines, there are flavors like Bulalo and Sotanghon, and in India Curry and Masala are available. Here’s a short piece about Mr. Ando and the invention of instant noodles from Nissin’s website. I should also mention there will be a special Show Your Noodles to see today as well!
The folks at Nissin Foods USa sent me a big box of samples a couple weeks ago and inside was this little gem from Japan. I have seen this before online but never anywhere in the USA. This is called Raoh and it is one of Nissin’s more premium Japanese products. In honor of Momofuku Ando day, I have done up a video review that you can see below.
Here’s the special Momofuku Ando Day celebratory video! Check it out then look below for more!
Here are the details from the side panels.
The veggie packet.
Looks like some nice stuff – green onion I recognize but not sure about the other things.
Dry powder packet.
Looks like soup base powder.
Liquid soup pack.
Has a nice scent.
Check this out – a slice of pork! This is awesome – definitely something you won’t find here in the US.
Finished (click image to enlarge). Added sweet onion, green onions and hard boiled egg. The noodles were very nice – perfect chewiness and consistency. Reminds me of fresh ramen noodle varieties. The broth is strong and has a nice thickness. The broth is definitely rich. Has a deep soy flavor and nicely thicker than normal instant noodle broths. The slice of pork? It re-hydrates exceptionally well with a nice consistency and some fat – very decadent for an instant bowl of ramen I’d say. The veggies did well too – a decent amount. All in all, this is amazing stuff. I’d love to try all of the varieties of Raoh, that’s for sure. 5.0 out of 5.0 stars easy. Thanks to Scott A. over at Nissin Foods USA for sending this along with the other samples – awesome! UPC bar code 4902105214077
A tour around the Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama, Japan. I would love to go here someday. Here’s the official website and hours/price:
Name: CUPNOODLES MUSEUM (formal name: Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum) Address: 2-3-4 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0001 Japan Telephone: General information: 045-345-0918 / Chicken Ramen Factory reservations: 045-345-0825 (Reception hours: 10:00-18:00, holidays excluded) Museum hours: 10:00-18:00 (last admission 17:00) Holidays: Tuesdays (when Tuesday is a holiday, closed the following day), year end / new year holidays Admission: Adults: 500 yen (tax included) / high school age children and younger admitted free *Some facilities within the museum require separate admission. *Museum admission fee and facility usage fees are subject to change.
Last year’s Momofuku Ando Day video – Top Ramen Chicken Flavor!
Today is the last of the Sakurai Foods Meet The Manufacturer. I have enjoyed trying such a great range of products from Japan! We finish with the one that made this Meet The Manufacturer happen. I email lots of instant noodle manufacturers, trying to get Meet The Manufacturer interviews to happen. I hadn’t contacted Sakurai Foods before and gave it a shot. Here’s my re-review of their miso vegetarian flavor.
Back of the packaging (click image to enlarge).
The noodle block.
Powder seasoning.
The powder has a nice taste – miso and an almost buttery component.
Finished (click image to enlarge). Added onion, green onion, sweet corn, kizami shoga (pickled ginger and Urashima Sesame & Salt furikake. The noodles are good – soft and plentiful. The broth has a nice heartiness while light at the same time. Not an overwhelming flavor but delicate and balanced. Very good! 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 4960813312959.
Here’s the second of the two ARCHE versions that Sakurai sent samples of. Not sure if this is going to be a lot different, but we’ll check it out just the same.
The back of the package (click image to enlarge).
The noodle block. This and compact.
Only one packet – liquid base.
A dark colored liquid soup base.
Finished (click image to enlarge). Added thin sliced beef, onion, green onion, hard boiled egg, Krazy Mixed Up Salt and Urashima Sesame & Salt furikake. The noodles cook for six minutes – and come out nicely. The broth has a strong, deep flavor. Exactly the same as #954. 3.25 out of 5.0 stars. UPC bar code 4020943124300
Here’s the second of the two Bowls that Sakurai Foods sent. From what I gather from their website, these are their newest products. The bowls are recycles sugar came fibers! Has an interesting feel to it. Let’s check out this second bowl, this time, soy sauce flavor!
Here are the information panels from the sides of the bowl (click image to enlarge).
The noodle block. It has flour sourced from Hokkaido and potato starch.
The packet of powdered seasoning.
Tasty stuff – deep flavor as I’ve become used to with this brand.
The vegetable packet.
A very nice variety of vegetables.
Finished (click image to enlarge). Added green onions. The noodles are nice – again, a good chew and consistency. The broth has a nice soy taste and delivers a nice warmth. The veggies and other bits are great – thew nori (seaweed) is especially good and gives a seafood taste that weaves throughout the meal. Excellent! 4.25 out of 5.0 stars.UPC bar code 4960813332612
A drive around Minokamo Gifu – looks like a really interesting place!
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