# Best flavor of instant (ramen) noodles, or favorite prep method **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 28, 2018, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627 "2018-01-28T01:12:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/21 "2018-01-28T16:10:42Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Where do you guys buy Indomie? From what I can tell, it is an Indonesian company and I’m not sure which store would sell it. > > I contacted the company for help finding their products, but they seem to speak Indonesian so I’m not sure if it’ll work. > > Amazon prime sells them, but I don’t know if its good price and I don’t know if I want to commit to 30 packets. Just speaking for myself, an Asian market in the north Houston suburb where I live. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/22 "2018-01-28T16:17:44Z")
Does anyone just add the block of noodles to the water without breaking it up first? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/23 "2018-01-28T16:26:11Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Does anyone just add the block of noodles to the water without breaking it up first? Always. And when it softens I “unfold it” but I never break into smaller pieces. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/24 "2018-01-28T16:29:54Z")
Do you guys really like this stuff or is it a budget-stretching thing? My kids like the stuff (usually just Maruchen chicken). I will eat if there’s literally nothing else in the house for some reason. I just buy the 12 packs and don’t consider the price. My friend who used to rent my couch would get 12 for a dollar, but that was 20 years ago and I never resorted to such measures. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/25 "2018-01-28T16:36:49Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > Do you guys really like this stuff or is it a budget-stretching thing? My kids like the stuff (usually just Maruchen chicken). I will eat if there’s literally nothing else in the house for some reason. I just buy the 12 packs and don’t consider the price. My friend who used to rent my couch would get 12 for a dollar, but that was 20 years ago and I never resorted to such measures. Both. I started eating them because they are cheap and easy to make, but now I want to figure out which ones actually taste good. I’m going out to buy more kimchi flavored ones today. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/26 "2018-01-28T18:01:01Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > Do you guys really like this stuff or is it a budget-stretching thing? I like it well enough. We mainly buy it for those “Eh, nothing easy to eat in the house and don’t feel like really cooking” nights but if no one liked the taste we wouldn’t be buying it. It is better if you dress it up in some way although some of the things I read people doing with it would detract from the “cheap & easy” benefits in my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/27 "2018-01-28T18:05:01Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > Do you guys really like this stuff or is it a budget-stretching thing? My kids like the stuff (usually just Maruchen chicken). I will eat if there’s literally nothing else in the house for some reason. I just buy the 12 packs and don’t consider the price. My friend who used to rent my couch would get 12 for a dollar, but that was 20 years ago and I never resorted to such measures. I can get Top Ramen Oriental flavor for $.40 apiece on sale if I watch the ads. I started buying ramen in college because they were cheap; add frozen veggies for a decent cheap meal. I have kept buying them because they are cheap and I can add veggies and stuff for a decent cheap meal. Seriously, I can make some awesome food starting with a base of ramen noodles. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/28 "2018-01-28T19:04:30Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > > [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > > > Do you guys really like this stuff or is it a budget-stretching thing? > > I like it well enough. We mainly buy it for those “Eh, nothing easy to eat in the house and don’t feel like really cooking” nights but if no one liked the taste we wouldn’t be buying it. It is better if you dress it up in some way although some of the things I read people doing with it would detract from the “cheap & easy” benefits in my mind. This. Sometimes I just don’t feel like cooking. Or Mrs. L.A. wants to make something for dinner. It’s quick, easy, and tasty. (For a certain value of ‘tasty’. 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![jerez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/29 "2018-01-29T08:20:08Z")
I keep a few packets of shrimp ramen in the pantry and a bag of peeled shrimp in the freezer. Nice, light go-to dinner about once a month. ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/30 "2018-01-29T16:31:24Z")
Pork Maruchan is my favorite but many stores don’t have it. I add the whole brick to the pot, then “unfold” and separate the noodles as they cook. Drain off all water in a colander and shake/toss lightly to get the noodles especially dry. On my plate, add half the powder (or a single whole packet when making two packs) and stir. I am married now and seldom eat ramen anymore but occasionally I crave it. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/31 "2018-01-29T17:47:57Z")
I mix one package of oriental flavor and one of chili flavor. I add frozen mixed vegetables while cooking and cut up pork. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/32 "2018-01-29T17:58:12Z")
It’s very easy for work, and just something different. I like the beef/roast beef. What I’ll do is get some deli (or even pre-packaged) roast beef and cut/tear up a few slices and add it to the soup. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2018, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/33 "2018-01-29T21:15:20Z")
Garden-variety Maruchan chicken flavor. I don’t deviate much: bring a bunch of water to a boil, put in the unbroken noodle brick, boil for three minutes, dump out _most_ of the water, mix in the flavoring and eat. I used to dig the Baked Ramen that some company, I think it was Campbell’s, used to make way back when, but I haven’t seen it in 20+ years. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/34 "2018-01-30T05:19:16Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Where do you guys buy Indomie? I find it in big-city supermarkets. My Mariano’s is near Chicago’s Chinatown, so that might be why they carry it, but I think I’ve seen it at other grocery stores around the country. ---
**Author:** ![toast\_pakora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@toast\_pakora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toast_pakora)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/35 "2018-01-30T05:43:09Z")
eh, I toss out the flavor packets, too salty. Actually I’d rather just buy the noodles in the clear cellophane packages. If I’m making fried noodles, then I use the sauce pkt that I’ve bought in the Indonesian supermarkets with chopped veg and chicken. If I’m just making a mugful in the microwave, it’s butter and parma cheese. Sacrilege, I know. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/36 "2018-01-30T15:14:52Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > Do you guys really like this stuff or is it a budget-stretching thing? I mean it’s not as good as a ramen restaurant, obviously, but if you even put a slight bit of time and effort into it you can have a really tasty meal. Of course if you just want something quick and easy, it’s good for that as well. Personally I liked the Nongshim the best. Indomie is pretty tasty as well. Both easy to get from Amazon if you can’t get to an Asian store. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/37 "2018-01-30T16:08:35Z")
If you can’t stand the flavor packets (and I can understand that), just throw in a can of chicken broth instead. Or whatever liquid you prefer. Or just cook the noodles and not have a broth with it. I buy ramen when it’s on sale for the noodles themselves. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/38 "2018-01-30T16:17:46Z")
[Sapporo Ichiban chicken](http://www.ramenplace.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/800x600/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/s/a/sapporo-ichiban-chicken-front.jpg) is a default supermarket purchase and is _much_ better than Top Ramen or Maruchan. Personally I like [Nongshim Neoguri](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51WpgloTHJL.jpg) (spicy seafood) but it’s not for everyone. I’m a big fan of the [Nissin Donbei kitsune udon bowl](https://www.theramenrater.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014_10_24_1509_001.jpg). Thicker noodles than normal ramen (you’d never mistake it for real, fresh udon noodles) and a simple soy sauce broth but with a slice of fried tofu. Also a big fan of the [fresh udon bowls](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1071/7482/files/image_5.jpeg?v=1488830814); I usually buy either the JFC or Shirakiku brand. General tips: a few drops of sesame oil will really improve both the flavor and texture of the whole dish. If you have them, a dash of chili oil, fish sauce, and/or mirin can really perk it up too. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/39 "2018-01-30T17:27:32Z")
Once I was introduced to adding an egg, I have never made ramen without one. If I have fresh scallions available, I’ll add them, but if not, it’s ok. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627/40 "2018-01-31T03:05:25Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Does anyone just add the block of noodles to the water without breaking it up first? The question you _should_ be asking is “What kind of sick, evil, alleged human would ever break up their block o’ ramen?” Monsters! That’s who. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-flavor-of-instant-ramen-noodles-or-favorite-prep-method/807627.md?page=3)