Little Cook Seafood Tomyam
Weight: 170g
Price: B35
Calories: Not specified
This cup of noodles’ main feature is dubbed a “retort pouch” (sic) and seems to be a victim of a bad internet translation. What it contains is seafood chopped up into unrecognizable tidbits, except for the strands of fake crabstick. Its originality is that rather than being desiccated, this stuff is bathing in a clear juice that doesn’t require refrigeration. The result, both the texture and taste, is more realistic than dehydrated shrimps but the seasoning—all two packs—let us down. Too bad; these noodles, firm and generous, deserved better.
Poldo Green Tea Chlorella
Weight: 120g
Price: B43
Calories: 261kcal
For the illusion of fresh taste opt for this green noodle. For Fuji enthusiasts, the broth tastes like the light miso soup you get at the chain restaurant. The green tea, though, was undetectable. The portion is huge but the calories are low—a great meal for weight-watchers.
Nissin Menshokunin Miso
Weight: 100g
Price: B88
Calories: 335kcal
If you don’t like your noodles with oily broth, definitely skip this one. But this instant miso ramen does taste almost like restaurant fare. The ramen was fat and firm and the accompanying miso paste did it justice, making for a broth that was rich and pleasantly oily. For veggies, you’ve got bits of corns, seaweed and cabbages and, unlike other brands, Nissin’s greens were crisp and tasted fresh.
Myojo Kakesoba Desse
Weight: 76g
Price: B73
Calories: 344kcal
Despite not being able to decipher the Japanese instructions, our bowl was simple enough to make. The result was a dark brown soup with bits of green and some unidentifiable little floating balls of something or other. While the noodles were a touch spongy and a slightly disconcerting brownish-gray color, they tasted OK. The soup was much better; meaty tasting, if a little bit salty. Now if only there was more floating around.
Ottogi Yuel Ramyon Hot Taste
Weight: 120g
Price: B35
Calories: Not specified
If you want some spice in your life then go for this fiery cup. It’s not the Mama burn, but a more subtle heat that gets you sweating. They also don’t skimp on the salt, so ready your bottle of Evian, before you blackout into dehydration. The noodles are soft, chewy, thick and filling. A good deal for a more sophisticated taste of spice.
Indomie Mie Keriting Goreng Special
Weight: 91g
Price: B16
Calories: Not specified
If you’re just looking on packing on the carbs without getting bloated on soup, then this wannabe mie goreng with wannabe veggies might just do the trick. The dehydrated vegetables, (really, really dehydrated) are made up of tiny bits of carrot and what could perhaps have been spring onions. Even with all the chilli and soy sauce, there is more emphasis on the sweetness than anything else. The noodles are chewy—so if you like your lunch to taste like dessert and feel like chewing gum, look no further.
Nong Shim Kimchi Flavor Mini Cup
Weight: 70g
Price: B38
Calories: Not specified
Don’t be fooled by the Korean characters on the cup, this red hot baby actually comes from China. If it doesn’t kill you, you’ll find the noodles thick and toothsome, and the reddish kimchi soup agreeably pungent. The portion was just right to get you full, but not stuffed. The chewy bits of mushrooms, however, definitely felt dehydrated. This, in fact, was the closest we got to an everyday classic Mama Tom Yum Koong—at six times the price, of course.
Where to Get Them
Foodland (www.foodland.co.th). Try Sukhumvit Soi 16 (02-204-2177) and Patpong Soi 2 (02-234-4558).
Tops Supermarket (www.tops.co.th). Try Sukhumvit Soi 24 (02-661-1630) and All Seasons Place (02-685-3900/-6) branches.
Villa Market (www.villamarket.com). Try Sukhumvit Soi 33 (02-662-1000) and Thonglor Soi 15 (02-712-6000) branches.
