Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Shin Ramyun - Hot and Spicy and That's About It


Since we moved to our new house last weekend, my ability to cook an actual meal has been slightly diminished due to the fact that I can't FIND ANYTHING.

On the plus side, you are awarded with my first instant ramen review.

Shin Ramyun Hot and Spicy flavor certainly lives up to the billing. Klint typically puts the whole packet of seasoning in while I tend to go with three-quarters of the packet just so I can still feel my mouth after all is said and done. Regardless, this ramen flavor is spicy enough to induce sniffles in even the hardiest of souls.
Unfortunately, for the more discriminating ramen eater, there's not much flavor other than spiciness. No beef flavor, no crappy shrimp flavor, nothing. Even the freeze-dried vegetable packet doesn't add much other than color.

You'll notice in the picture that I do go the extra step and add a poached egg to my ramen. It's all about balancing this oh-so-nutrious meal with protein.

As for the noodles, they're pretty standard ramen noodles. Since the soup is so spicy, the noodles absorb the hotness too. Generally you'll have to settle for eating the noodles by themselves since the soup is not really worth drinking. That is, unless you're Klint and you'll eat anything as long as it scorches your tongue and burns a hole in your stomach.

Rating: 6/10

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28 comments:

Sandi Lin said...

One of my favorite parts of this ramen is that it is circular in shape, which fits nicely into the bowl when you're microwaving.
What's your egg technique? Looks like you put it in the bowl first. I like to either fry it separately or microwave it separately (if I don't feel like washing pans).

Vicki said...

Microwave?

I'm hardcore and cook this on an actual stove.

Anonymous said...

I was turned on to this ramen when I was stationed in Korea. I've found it to be a great hangover cure as well as the only known cure for the common cold. It is hot and spicy, but that's the way I like it. I actually add extra crushed red chili peppers to mine. It's much better than those whimpy ramens you get at 6/$1. A great inexpensive meal! Enjoy!

tallasiandude said...

I heart these noodles.

And I actually like the broth (I don't usually put the whole spice packet in either), but I guess I have a fairly high tolerance for spicy and I don't need it to be beefy or chickeny, especially since it never really tastes like what they're pretending to be anyway. (Sorta like how "grape" candy never really tastes like grapes.)

Foodnerd takes it to the next level by adding veggies, which has recently been chinese cabbage or daikon radish. Me -- I just go with the poached eggs.

Mmmm, spicy ramen and egg. I'm actually cooking some up right now as I type. :)

Anonymous said...

Poaching an egg in noodles is a very common way of making a instant noodle meal more substancial in the east.

Personally, I like to drop in an egg and, just as it's poaching, stir it around to break it up. This has 2 effects - creating 'strips' of egg eventually and slightly thickening the soup base.

Doesn't work if you're microwaving it, obviously

Anonymous said...

I just came across this ramen during my last shopping trip to Winco Foods. I added the entire spice packet - if you are used to eating very hot food, it is only moderately hot - not enough to make my nose run or my eyes water. I detected a slight fish flavor in addition to the chili.
I will buy this ramen again and eat it just as it is without adding anything.

Anonymous said...

This ramyun used to be hotter but the spiciness somewhat dwindled..I don't know why, but probably Nongsim wanted to make it more acceptable to wider variety of people...and it works, i guess, to see this posting. but I liked the previous flavor better.

Anonymous said...

How can you give it a 6/10... Shin Ramyun is god's creation...

Unknown said...

I've been adding this BBQ pork (like you get at a chinese restaurant) that they sell at Trader Joes. That and half an egg and you're golden. Delicious, though like you say, mostly just spice.

Anonymous said...

The way i love to make this is by, stir frying some leek, then adding the noodles, water, flavour packs to the wok, gives the broth a very nice flavour with the leek. poach an egg inside and viola, cheap but good student eats.

Anonymous said...

Shin ramyun is the best ramyun created! The flavor and the spicyness is PERFECT! I can eat about 5 right now, because I'm so hungry thinking about it.

Anonymous said...

The Gourmet Spicy flavor is hell, almost literally...

Anonymous said...

you can find a good selection of korean ramen at ramenklub.com. plus they have ramen videos where people can share.

Anonymous said...

The only Ramen that actually fills me up! The noodle cake is huge. Nothing really compares to the great Shin Ramen.

Anonymous said...

i think you're biased in your ranking, just because you can't handle the spicyness doesn't mean you should degrade this higher quality ramen with such a low score.

You put maruchan's cup-o-noodle at .5 pts higher...

On a couple notes,
Shin Ramyun has dehydrated vegetables (mostly cabbage for it is a kimchi ramen, meaning it is going to be spicy. Personally, I think it captures the kimchi flavor to a tee). Also, although this ramen is a little more expensive than most, it is also larger than most, for you do get a good size of noodles. And lastly, the noodles used are of better quality. They are round and thicker then maruchan's crappiness.

This ramen is great for those who are ok with spicy foods. For if you don't like it that spicy then you can always just use half a packet of seasoning and save the rest. Then later you can always buy more noodles and use the left over powder!

And adding veggies and an egg and meat (if you can afford) always make the experience better! Personally I love celery and sprouts and an egg in this particular ramen :)

Anonymous said...

LOL cook noodles in the microwave. so american and stupid

Anonymous said...

hey i cooked ramyun in microwave b4! it's not stupid

Anonymous said...

Honestly who cooks these noodles in a microwave thats the worse then you could do!!

It is customary that me and my family occasionally make large pots of soup with this..

Boil the water, dump in the packaging and throw everything you can in it! Brussel sprouts, chicken, pieces of bread, celery, carrots, and you've got yourself an amazing soup!

Unknown said...

Love this noodle!, I cook mine with fresh carrots and napa cabbage. I also enjoy it with parsnips. Makes a great quick hearty meal. yummy!!!!!

Anonymous said...

i've been browsing through your ramen photos and it is clear to me that you add too much water. A little less water will make a BIG IMPROVEMENT in flavor.

Anonymous said...

NOT BEING BEEF FLAVORED IS A PLUS!! It's kimchi flavored with extra spice. Kimchi flavored basically means fermented cabbage with spices since you seem to think it has no flavoring. Try adding some seaweed and actual kimchi to it as well for extra awesome.

Anonymous said...

^ and rice

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Anonymous said...

How can you not drink the broth?! It's great! Also, at over 1000mg of salt per half package, it's a heart attack waiting to happen.

Unknown said...

Shit score to be honest, this ramen is the best ever hands down, I mean tbh I've never had gourmet restaurant ramen, I'm sure that's the only thing that could possibly top this though. You can't take the heat and you're probably not cooking it right to where the noodles fully absorb the flavor. Too much water or boiling too long screws the flavor and messes upp the noodle consistency. My only drawback is price, 2.00 a pack fro frys in az, in alabama it was 90 cents a pack at my local korean store.

Jeff said...

I don't know what you people are eating, but the Shin Ramyun made in Korea and the Shin Ramyun made in the USA (says right on the package, but not in the picture in the post) are absolutely NOTHING alike! NongShim USA really screwed things up. Not as spicy, not as flavorful. I can't find the real Korean Nongshim stuff where I live (not even on amazon!). Nongshim USA SUCKS! I LOVE real Korean NongShim Shin Ramen. I only get it these days because my sweet sister-in-law sends a lot over every year (She feels my pain). Other brands can be trusted (Paldo, for example), but don't trust that NongShim USA will be the same as the stuff you ate while living in S. Korea for 10 years! (haha... well, at least do some homework and figure out what you are REALLY eating).

Anonymous said...

among us

Anonymous said...

I eat this Ramen with poached egg add in leaks, and at the end when it's in he bowl a pad of real butter