We may have seen them as the cheap college student staple or our childhood pantry’s quick lunch, but instant noodles are steeped in more than just hot water and seasoning. They’re also steeped in historical and cultural significance.
Instant noodles date back to 1958 with the introduction of instant ramen. Originally designed to help curb world hunger, they’ve since burgeoned into a substantial industry. With their wide varieties, diverse origins, and cultural significance, these noodles make for a delicious meal or snack otg recipes.
When most people think of instant noodles, Cup Noodles are the first thing that come to mind. In 1958, instant noodles were invented by Taiwanese-Japanese inventor Momofuku Ando to help curb post war food shortages in Japan. Since then, instant ramen noodles have become one of the world’s most popular foods, with flavors varying from region to region.
The world of instant noodles is vast and varied. Nearly every country, it seems, has its own version of the humble dried noodle packet: From Japan’s ubiquitous Cup Noodle and spicy Shin Ramyun from South Korea to Maggi in India and Top Ramen in America, they are a common thread and an unmistakable sign of “fast food.” With so many tweaks on the basic formula, it can be overwhelming to sort through all the options—which is where we come in. We’ve tried all sorts of instant noodle varieties from around the world, and here’s what we like best.
The humble instant noodle, the dried brick of frozen noodles that comes with a little packet of sodium-packed spice mixture, has a lot going for it even beyond the nostalgia for college days. For one thing, they’re cheap, convenient, and basically indestructible. A pack of ramen in your pantry is like an insurance policy against hunger. And ramen noodles, which have very specific origins and can be found in every grocery store as well as on top-notch restaurant menus all over the world.
The noodle isn’t too thin or too thick, and has a comforting bite. It’s topped with swirled beef slices and green onions, and is one of the best-tasting top ramens out there. The ingredients list on the Shin Black package includes beef extract and fat, and the broth does taste meaty. It was one of the only ones where other flavors, like garlic and mushroom, shone through the salt. The chili in the soup base, which is hot but not overpowering, turns the noodles a vibrant red. Discernible slices of garlic, large pieces of mushrooms, and green onions rehydrate well, actually taste good, and provide a nice textural contrast to the chewy type of noodles.
The Shin Black package includes beef extract and fat, and the broth does taste meaty. It was one of the only ones where other flavors, like garlic and mushroom, shone through the salt. The chili in the soup base, which is hot but not overpowering, turns the noodles a vibrant red. Discernible slices of garlic, large pieces of mushrooms, and green onions rehydrate well, actually taste good, and provide a nice textural contrast to the chewy noodles.
