Best Instant Ramen: Top 7 Noodle Brands Most Recommended By Experts

Ah, instant ramen noodles. Who can’t remember the joy of a steaming bowl of ramen, its savory aroma filling the air, promising a quick and satisfying meal? It is the ultimate college dorm staple and the perfect late-night study snack. Our list of the seven best instant ramen — according to the so-called-experts — has flavors and brands that can transport us back to those carefree days filled with laughter and noodle-fueled adventures.

Sure, these items might be high in sodium, but like so many of the best things in life, they are sometimes a treat. Once in a while, instant noodles can find their way into a quick meal that is delicious and satisfying. Even foodies love instant ramen, and here are a few of the most frequently cited reasons:

• Affordability: A single serving of instant ramen is incredibly budget-friendly, making it a delicious and economical option for any meal.
• Convenience: Instant ramen requires minimal preparation time, making it a perfect solution for busy schedules and quick lunches or dinners.
• Nostalgic Comfort: For many, instant ramen evokes memories of childhood lunches or college dorm meals, creating a sense of comfort and familiarity.
• Ingredient Pantry Staple: Instant ramen is a versatile pantry staple that can be easily incorporated into various dishes, adding flavor and texture to soups, stir-fries, and more.
• Travel-Friendly: Instant ramen is incredibly portable and requires minimal equipment to prepare, making it a convenient travel food for adventures and backpacking trips.

Beyond these specific reasons, consumers often appreciate the ability to personalize instant ramen to their exact taste preferences, using their own culinary skills (or maybe lack thereof?) to add to the microwaveable mixtures. That said, we wanted know what foodies considered to the be the very best instant ramen options out there. To create our list, we scoured 10 top reviews to find the seven-most frequently recommended products. Let us know your favorites in the comments below!

The List: Best Instant Ramen Noodles, Per Foodies

 

1. Sapporo Ichiban

Sapporo Ichiban, the “number one” ramen in Japan, delivers authentic flavors with every slurp. Its wavy noodles and savory broth offer a delicious taste of Japanese comfort in every instant cup. According to All Recipes, “Compared to some of the other ramen we tested, Sapporo Ichiban’s offering is pretty simple. It doesn’t include any additional veggies or sauces outside the main seasoning packet. However, the included seasoning packet had the strongest chicken flavor of the ones we tried, and the noodles in Sapporo Ichiban’s ramen were also some of the most fluffy.”

The Strategist asserts, “These instant noodles from Sapporo Ichiban made [our] power ranking, falling somewhere near the intersection of ‘Better Taste’ and ‘Tastes More Like Thing’ on [our] matrix. They also happen to be the favorite instant noodles of Sheldon Simeon, the chef-owner of Tin Roof and author of ‘Cook Real Hawaii,’ who calls these noodles ‘crazy ridiculous.”’

Uproxx evaluates, “The broth of this ramen by former Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is super flavorful and oily, with a deep brown color and a fairly real chicken flavor, albeit fairly salty tasting. It has nice, thick noodles, which the packaging distinguishes as being ‘non-fried.’ The result is noodles that are super chewy with a similar texture to restaurant ramen.”

2. Nongshim

Nongshim, a South Korean food company, has established itself as a global force in instant ramen. From Shin Ramyun’s fiery kick to Black Shin Ramyun’s rich seafood essence, Nongshim’s diverse range of instant ramen experiences continue to delight palates worldwide. Wirecutter explains, “Like most noodle producers, best-selling Korean brand NongShim makes many varieties. But of the few I tried; the Spicy Pot-au-feu Flavor was the best. It has a winning combination of a complex, spicy broth, substantial dehydrated vegetables, and toothsome noodles. I couldn’t stop eating these.”

Mashed offers, “When you choose Nongshim ramen, you shouldn’t expect the dirt-cheap prices you’ll find for brands like Maruchan or Nissin Top Ramen. Instead, you’re going to pay a bit more for these noodles. Luckily, though, it’s 100 percent worth it.”

Consumer Report states, “The beef broth is fiery red and spicy enough to make us sweat. The heat forces you to slow down, but the fat, bouncy noodles don’t become waterlogged or lose their bite as they sit and wait for your taste buds to calm down. There are bits of shiitake mushrooms, carrots, green onions, and soy protein that tastes like beef.”

3. Nissin

Nissin, the iconic Japanese food company, is synonymous with instant ramen noodles. From their revolutionary Cup Noodles to the beloved Chicken Ramen, Nissin has revolutionized the way we eat. Tasting Table comments, “The best instant ramen brand goes to the company behind the iconic Cup Noodles: Nissin. Few may know that the world’s first instant ramen was chicken flavored and was invented by a man named Momofuku Ando at just 48 years old in 1948. A few years later, in 1971, Ando invented the worldwide phenomenon, Cup Noodles.”

Consumer Report adds, “The broth is bright yellow and oddly foamy, with flecks of green herbs. Similar to the Maruchan, this broth has a fattiness that coats the lips, but it’s not quite as good… The noodles have bounce and a bite, an almost al dente quality. The corn kernels are well-hydrated, sweet, and slightly snappy, which contrasts nicely with the salty soup.”

BuzzfFeed is critical of the original cup noodle but still rates it highly, “Maybe it’s been a hot minute since the last time I truly sat down to enjoy a Cup Noodle — college, realistically — but man, this was not the oddly satisfying Styrofoam cup of noodles that I remember… Still, since Nissin’s Cup Noodles were literally the first instant noodle on the market, I’m thankful for them!”

4. Maruchan

Maruchan, the iconic brand synonymous with instant ramen, has been warming hearts and stomachs for decades. Maruchan offers a quick and satisfying meal for any budget. Consumer Reports raves, “Maruchan ramen is a tasty lunch for less than a buck. You can’t even buy a bottle of water from a vending machine for that. The broth has a nice, chicken-y aroma with an equally enticing flavor that’s just salty enough. It has a schmaltzy fattiness that coats my lips, fooling me into thinking I’m slurping down a pricier bowl of matzo ball soup.”

Mashed details, “If there’s one brand of instant ramen that we are all familiar with, it’s Maruchan. This stuff is probably the kind that you’re most used to. It can be found in just about every grocery store, and it’s as cheap as can be. Sure, when you’re starting out in the ramen world, Maruchan may be where you find your footing. But that certainly doesn’t mean you should stay there forever.”

All Recipes exclaims, “There’s nothing particularly fancy about these varieties, but that doesn’t mean they don’t hit the spot. If you don’t have much change to spend but are still craving ramen, any of these classics will satisfy.”

5. Indomie Instant Noodles

Indomie reigns supreme as a beloved instant noodle brand in Southeast Asia and beyond. Its springy noodles, flavorful broths, and fiery Sambal chili sauce have solidified its place as a staple comfort food for many.  Bon Appétit praises, “These fried noodles are a sweet-salty, umami-packed treat thanks to not one but five ramen flavor packets: seasoning powder, seasoning oil, sweet soy sauce, chili sauce, and fried shallots. Know that this is not a brothy situation. After cooking, you drain the noodles and toss them in the various sauces and powders.”

Mashed describes, “Looking for something better than the standard stuff? In that case, Indomie may be the instant ramen brand you’ve been looking for. This ramen is still pretty basic, so you know you’re not getting something too far off from the classic Maruchan. But when it comes to flavor, a pack of Indomie is going to pack a bit more punch than the stuff you may be used to.

The Strategist elaborates, “As San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic Soleil Ho explains, this type of instant noodles — which includes her favorite, Indomie Mie Goreng Satay Noodles — is also known as dry noodles because ‘there’s no broth.'”

6. Mike’s Mighty Good

Mike’s Mighty Good offers a delicious alternative to traditional instant ramen. Their organic noodles and clean ingredients elevate the experience, delivering a flavorful and satisfying meal that even the most discerning foodies can appreciate. BuzzFeed claims, “Suspiciously similar to the Trader Joe’s version but with organic noodles (and more of them!) plus a slightly better-tasting broth, I can confidently say that this brand I’ve never even noticed before surprised me in just about every way.”

Uproxx relates, “The fried garlic flavor of this ramen’s broth really comes through in a nice, unctuous way, and there are even flecks of dried garlic swirling around. The chicken notes round the flavor out for a creamy mouthfeel and mild, comforting taste.”

Tasting Table reviews, “Mike’s Mighty Good Ramen is a solid choice for people that are health-conscious but also love meat, since there are chicken, pork tonkotsu, spicy beef, and miso flavors available, which all average about $3 a serving. The downside: Depending on your appetite and stomach, the portions are considered by many to be too small for the price.”

7. Jin Ramen

Jin Ramen delivers an authentic taste of Korean comfort food in an instant. Its bold flavors and satisfying texture make it a favorite among ramen enthusiasts. Sporked compliments, “Everything about Jin Ramen Korean Style Noodles is wonderful, but the noodles are particularly spectacular, and that’s what makes it one of the best instant ramen brands we tried. These are restaurant-quality noodles. If you told me they were hand-pulled, I’d believe you. They are bouncy and tender and perfectly chewy.”

Uproxx assures, “The preparation of this ramen is also somewhat unique, as it comes with a packet of dried vegetables and small beef pieces that are added to the water as it heats up, then the noodles and seasoning packet are added together and boiled for 4 minutes. The result is well-rounded ramen that left me feeling extremely impressed.”

Consumer Report articulates, “These noodles are bouncy and chewy. The broth has a beefy seaweed aroma and has a kick to it despite being the mild version. It’s not screaming salty to me, even though this ramen has the highest amount of sodium of the bunch.”

How To Make Homemade Ramen Bowls

Want to make your own ramen dishes at home? It’s not an instant treat, but you can certainly put in the work and come out with your delicious concoctions. Making homemade ramen involves several steps, from preparing the broth to assembling the final dish. Here’s a basic outline to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Broth: Chicken, pork, or vegetable stock.
• Ramen Noodles: Fresh or dried.
• Protein: Sliced pork, chicken, beef, or tofu.
• Toppings: Boiled egg (halved), green onions, nori (seaweed), bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, mushrooms.
• Flavorings: Soy sauce, miso paste, salt, or sesame oil.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Broth

• Basic Broth: Simmer chicken, pork bones, or vegetables with aromatics like garlic, ginger, and onion for several hours. Strain and season with soy sauce, miso, or salt.
• Quick Broth: Use store-bought stock and enhance it with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a bit of miso paste.

2. Cook the Ramen Noodles

• Boil the noodles according to package instructions until just cooked (usually 2-4 minutes).
• Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.

3. Prepare the Protein

• Meat: Marinate and grill or pan-fry slices of pork, chicken, or beef.
• Tofu: Press to remove excess water, then fry or bake until crispy.

4. Prepare the Toppings

• Boil eggs to your desired level of doneness, usually soft-boiled.
• Slice green onions, nori, and prepare other desired toppings.

5. Assemble the Ramen

• Place cooked noodles in a bowl.
• Pour hot broth over the noodles.
• Add your protein of choice and arrange toppings like boiled egg, green onions, nori, and others.

6. Final Touches

• Drizzle a bit of sesame oil or chili oil for an extra kick.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

Feel free to experiment with different broth flavors, noodles types, proteins, and toppings to create your own unique bowl of ramen. Homemade ramen is versatile, so you can adjust the ingredients based on your preferences and what you have on hand. Enjoy your ramen adventure!

You might also be interested in:

• Best Pasta
• Best Frozen Mac and Cheese
• Best Fast Food Mac and Cheese
• Best Gluten-Free Pasta

Sources:

• All Recipes
• The Strategist
• Uproxx
• Wirecutter
• Mashed
• Tasting Table
• Consumer Report
• Bon Appétit
• BuzzFeed
• Sporked

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.