Re-Review: Nongshim Mupama Tangmyun Noodle Soup

I’ve wanted to re-review this one for a while. Just has a kind of weird name, ya’know? Here’s what the Nongshim site says about it:

Mupama Tangmyun is a hearty Noodle Soup with a separate package of freeze-dried vegetable seasonings so there is no need to add additional vegetables.

It says at the bpottom to improve it, add your favorite vegetables. But as always, I’ll give it a try as packaged and then pile some things on.

The back of the package.

The big ol’ noodle block – looks tasty!

The seasoning packet.

Lots of powder.

A vegetable seasoning packet perhaps?

Interesting little tasties…

Finally, the large vegetable packet.

A lot of veggies and a nice variety too. I don’t think I’ll add more. But then again I am hungry… Hmm…

I asked for a mean angry face – looks like I got one! Top Ramen Chicken with a slice of cheese and some kamaboko for the boy.

Finished. Added an egg, a slice of cheese and a little squirt of Sunchang Gochujang . The noodles are your standard Nongshim – wider than most and a nice texture. The broth is very veggie – not spicy though. The veggies were decent – and extremely plentiful. I gotta say, it’s all about vegetables in this one. Not bad. 3.5 out of 5.0 stars.UPC bar code 031146157600 – get it here.

Here’s a Mupama Tangmyun commercial.

This guy shows how to make the best instant noodles.

#745: Nongshim Jinjja Jinjja (Really Really) Ramyun

Here’s something really new and very different from a lot of the instant noodles I’ve reviewed before. Jinjja Jinjja translates to “Really Really” (Spicy Spicy) – and I suppose in this review we’re going to find out how really really spicy Jinjja is! I should say that I sampled this one at Nongshim America while I was down there, so I have tried it before – but not a while bowl of it. I found out that the flavor comes from boiling pork bones for a long time, black beans and peanuts! It also turns out that the wheat flour used to make these has some red pepper powder added to them – heat in the noodle as well as from the dry seasonings! Let’s give this a try!

Here’s the back of the package. As you can see, it’s in Korean – it will be available in the United States soon. On Nongshim USA’s facebook page, they’re asking for suggestions as to what to call this in the states!

The big round noodle block – ready to rumble!

Here’s the heat – big red packet full of powder!

Took a pinch to taste before cooking – yeah this is spicy that’s for sure! Has a nice flavor to it too.

Here’s a packet that I imagine will have the peanut component to it.

Indeed it does – a nice peanut flavor and very fine powder.

Finally, the vegetable packet.

A myriad of thin, light and colorful veggie flakes.

Finished. Soon as it was done, my nose was happily greeted by the peanut smell. Then I dug in! First, the noodles: nice. They’re a little chewy and a perfect gauge to them. Not crumbly, not stiff – just right. The broth: first off, it’s spicy. Really really spicy! Underneath the heat lies a complex flavor of saltiness and spices that balance very nicely. Usually I’ve found that with instant noodle varieties that are about heat are not so much about flavor – this one is spicy as well as tasty. The veggies are there and in a decent amount. I would think this would be great with a little shredded pork, an egg  and some extra veggies as well – and I think next time I may try it with a slice of processed cheese. This is good stuff – my lips are happily burning! Bottom line: If you like it spicy, you’ll be pleased! 4.75 out of 5.0 stars! UPC bar code 8801043017916 .

Here’s a TV commercial for Jinjja Jinjja – the two men are ‘cultwo’ – famous comedians Kim tae-kwyun and Jung Chan-woo.

Another Jinjja Jinjja commercial.