Ramen Selections Tested
Taste testing and rating (0-5 stars) various ramen from the local Asian market and various online resellers. Only the best will make it into the camp food bin. Listed in order by best overall taste and texture with nothing added. Some rate better with add-ins like bullion powders, shrimp, artificial crabmeat, etc. See the notes below each picture for details.
Cooking method: put dry noodles and flavor packet contents into an insulated bowl with a lid. Add 2 cups of boiling water. Stir, and cover for 15 minutes before eating.
If desiring cooked egg in your ramen:
- A cooked egg: poach or fry an egg beforehand and add it after the 15 minute ramen soak time, or…
- A fresh raw egg: add boiling water and ramen noodles/flavoring, stir up those contents, then crack a fresh egg right on top of the ramen and hot broth (do not stir the egg in!), then cover the bowl immediately and let sit for 15 minutes. Stir the poached egg into the contents after 15 minutes
- Mudhole's choice
I was pleasantly surprised with this bowl of noodles, that honestly looked like the standard stuff. The noodles softened up fast, and the broth had a good full flavor with just a hint of spicy heat. While I didn't really taste "lobster", this has a nice mild "seafood" flavor in a mildly salty broth. The broth powder in the one included packet is red, but upon soaking, makes a medium brownish colored liquid broth. There are tiny bits of vegetables and "lobster". Overall, this was a very simple yet flavorful ramen without needing any add-ins. An extra half star was given because it's in a decent sized disposable bowl, so there's less clean-up when you're done eating.
- includes the standard thin wheat "instant" ramen noodles, and one packet of broth powder
- 4 stars with just what comes in the package
- 4.5 stars when adding 2 tsp of dried green onion
- 5 star potential with some protein add-ins like shrimp, artificial crab, and/or a poached egg
- Mudhole's runner-up
Mild oriental taste with included contents. A bit bland, with a hint of chicken flavor
- wide rice noodles. Great soft texture and good flavor absorption
- 3.5 stars mild broth with just included contents
- 4 stars when adding 1 tsp of Knorr chicken bouillon powder
- 4.5 stars when adding 1 tsp Knorr chicken bouillon powder and one raw egg (poaches when steeping)
- Mudhole's runner-up
Mild oriental taste with included contents. A bit bland, and doesn't really taste like beef
- wide rice noodles. Great soft texture and good flavor absorption
- 3.5 stars mild broth with just included contents
- 4 stars when adding 1 tsp of Knorr chicken or beef bouillon powder
- 4.5 stars when adding 1 tsp Knorr beef bouillon powder and one raw egg (poaches when steeping)
Mild broth intensity but fresh Thai flavor using just the broth and oil packets. Thin rice vermicelli is a fun texture, and takes on other flavors very well. Includes 3 separate flavor packets - broth powder/seasoning, packet of very spicy powder, and a small packet of flavorful oil. Very lightly salted broth, unless using the spicy packet. A very small amount of the spicy powder goes a very long way.
- Thin rice vermicelli noodles instead of regular wheat ramen
- 4 stars with flavor and oil packets only
- 4 stars with all 3 packets but very spicy
- 4.5 stars with flavor and oil packets only, and a small package of salad shrimp and/or artificial crabmeat (bought separate and kept refrigerated or frozen)
The Big Surprise award
I was very skeptical on this ramen option, after having gotten really tired of the dried seaweed taste in the add-in seaweed snack sheets I have tested. Well, I was very pleasantly surprised with this product. The beef broth was enough but not too strong or salty at all. The included seaweed packet was not skunky at all and added a clean taste and texture. I tested with just the included ingredients. The wheat ramen noodles were a bit more durable than regular grocery store ramen brands, with a bit if chew to them, but fully rehydrated and palatable after the 15 minute soak time. This would have been a good ramen to add an egg.
- includes: wheat based ramen noodle brick, 1 beef broth packet, 1 seaweed flake packet, and one tiny packet of sesame oil
- expect another half star higher rating with a poached egg added
Medium flavor intensity, but a clean brown broth with a light mushroom taste. Nice thick precooked and moist udon noodles in their own inner package. Also comes with a dried seasoning/veggies packet, and a packet of liquid brown broth concentrate
- 4 stars with just included package contents
- 4.5 stars with a tsp of Knorr beef powder,, and a tsp of dried green onion add-in
Build Your Own Ramen award
A perfect base udon noodle for making your own recipe. Noodles are thick and rubbery, packed in a sealed durable plastic pouch. 3 pouches per box. One pouch is listed as 1 serving, and it is a satisfying amount of noodles. Add your own broth powder, seasoning, freeze dried veggies, protein, and toppings for a build-your-own meal. These soften well in a 15 minute hot water soak, so no actual cooking needed.
Not gonna lie, this one surprised me in a good way. I'm always skeptical of any ramen broth packets that have red powder. To my surprise, the chile lime taste is perfectly balanced and not too weak or too strong. Not too sour or spicy, but full flavored with both of those tones. I did add about 25% more hot water above the fill line than the instructions called for, so maybe it would have tasted strong had I used the recommended amount. The water fill line just seemed too low. An initial sniff test after it soaked for a few minutes revealed a decent aroma, but nowhere near as appetizing as the actual taste
- 4 stars without any add-ins except just 25% more hot water
- Full flavor red broth, with tender and expanding standard "instant" wheat-based noodles
- Well balanced and satisfying chile lime taste. Tangy with just a mild amount of spice heat
- No significant taste of lobster at all. Maybe a hint of mild seafood flavor. Probably for the best, actually
- No need for any add-ins. After taste testing just the ingredients that came with this bowl, I added a poached egg and 2 tsp of chopped green onion and it was really delicious and very filling
- Easily a 2 serving meal for most, or or large serving for an adult. You're not left hungry
Has a moderate strength "oriental" flavored broth. Best described as a pork and vegetable broth. Typical wheat ramen noodle brick, and 1 foil packet of broth powder
- 3.5 stars with just the included contents
- 4 stars with 2 tsp of dried green onion
- good base for protein add-ins
Has a moderate balanced flavored basic chicken broth. Typical wheat ramen noodle brick, and 1 foil packet of chicken broth powder
- 3.5 stars with just the included contents
- 4 stars with 2 tsp of dried green onion
Has a mild basic "oriental" broth. Typical wheat ramen noodle brick
- 3.5 stars with just the included contents
- 4 stars with 1tsp shrimp or chicken bouillon
- 1 star with dried shrimps and seaweed
- 3.5 stars with just included contents
- Moderate taste intensity
- Mildly sweet like a light teriyaki
- Thick pre-cooked moist udon noodles in a separate sealed bag
Moderate strength broth, with a great chicken stock taste
- good ramen base for add-ins
Moderate broth strength. Lightly salted, and has a pleasant chicken/oriental broth
- good base ramen for using add-ins
I've been to way better parties. Mild spiciness, but considerably skunky taste and odor. A red-colored broth
- Not tasty enough to want to add any protein or bouillon
Mild strength broth. Nice thick udon noodles. Far too much seaweed taste, which makes these too skunky, like a dirty beach on a hot summer day. Nasty.
Ramen Add-Ins Tested
Ramen meals can easily be augmented to taste better and to have more nutrition by adding various extra items. Bouillon powders, dried vegetables and spices, and fresh proteins can make a significant difference in the enjoyment of your ramen.
Here are the add-ins that I have tested with the above ramen products, and that could work for your own ramen or camping meals:
Bouillon
Recommended portion: 1 teaspoon per 16oz of combined broth and noodles (usually 1 finished bowl of ramen and its broth)
- Knorr chicken granulated bouillon
- Knorr beef granulated bouillon
- Malher shrimp bouillon
Protein
Recommended portion: 2oz of shrimp or artificial crab, 1 egg
Recommended portion: 2oz of shrimp or artificial crab, 1 egg
- Eggs (poached/scrambled)
- Artificial crab/lobster
- Shrimp
If desiring cooked egg in your ramen:
- A cooked egg: poach or fry an egg beforehand and add it after the 15 minute ramen soak time, or…
- A fresh raw egg: add boiling water and ramen noodles/flavoring, stir up those contents, then crack a fresh egg right on top of the ramen and hot broth (do not stir the egg in!), then cover the bowl immediately and let sit for 15 minutes. Stir the poached egg into the contents after 15 minutes
Artificial crab
These small individual portions are really convenient to throw in the camping cooler. A good portion to add to ramen is 2-3 oz, added when the hot water is added to your bowl. Stir contents and cover your bowl for 15 minutes
Salad shrimp (frozen or fresh)
These small individual portions are really convenient to throw in the camping cooler. Any size frozen or fresh cooked shrimp will work. A good portion to add to ramen is 2 oz, added when the hot water is added to your bowl. Stir contents and cover your bowl for 15 minutes
Dried small shrimp
These small dried shrimp are peeled and deveined. They take a ton of time to rehydrate, and are way too tough to use as a soakable ramen add-in. I even tried boiling them on my stove for an hour, and they softened a bit but were still too chewy. NOT a good topping. They lost a lot of the fresh shrimp taste by being dried, too. Maybe fine in a simmered soup, but that's it. They need to be refrigerated or frozen after opening the bag, so just use frozen or fresh shrimp for your ramen, not these.
Chicken egg
Add either scrambled or pre-poached eggs to the finished ramen, or you can add 1 raw egg after adding the hot water to the ramen/broth and stirring first before adding the egg. The egg will poach during the 15 minute ramen soak time in a closed container
Umami seasoning powder
Makes a great broth substitute or enhancement. Has a salty "oriental" flavor, with some kick. The flavor hits my taste buds like a mild pork and mushroom tones with a little bit of zing.
- 1/2 teaspoon to broth with existing flavor
- 1 full teaspoon as a complete broth substitute
Knorr granulated chicken bouillon
Use 1 tsp per 16 oz of finished ramen and broth
Knorr granulated beef bouillon
Use 1 tsp per 16 oz of finished ramen and broth
Malher shrimp bouillon
Use 1/2 tsp per 16 oz of finished ramen and broth. Flavorful but skunky if overused.
Green onion (scallions) - freeze dried
Diced and freeze dried, not just dehydrated. Tender and delicate, with a full green onion taste. Rehydrates quickly in hot water. 1-2 tsp is a good portion. 10/10!
Toasted sesame seeds
Awesome on any ramen as an after-cook topping
Dried seaweed
Crumbles up well, and rehydrates almost instantly. Definitely a skunky seawater taste and smell. Very easy to get tired of, and overuse. Add sparingly, like only 1 sheet at most per bowl of ramen
