A better Ramen

[W8lkinUSA]

To reduce pack volume, go to a local oriental grocery store and buy some Soman noodles. These are packaged like spaghetti (strait strips). Use a vacuum sealer and the package will be tight and strong to withstand breakage.
Example

I'll second this. Gallon-sized freezer ziploc bags probably work fine for backpacking storage.

I've been slowly transitioning to buckwheat noodles with excess Mama seasoning packets as I work on my own recipe for variety. While not nearly as good as instant ramen, it's supposedly healthier.

[W8lkinUSA]

This was found at my local Asian market. Probably costs $8-16 and tastes fine if not overcooked.



EDIT:
While on the topic of noodles, here's something fun.
http://countryandahalf.com/japanese-noodles/
http://countryandahalf.com/korean-noodles/

There's no hard fast rules for noodles. Why not use Italian noodles with Asian seasoning packets if you prefer the flavor of Italian noodles?

[oldwetherman]

Wow! I always thought all ramen was pretty much the same. I've got to get more in touch with my taste buds!

[Alligator]

Simply Asia brand Japenese ramen noodles. It is a box of 4 bricks of ramen. The noodles are plain so you can add your bouillon and veggies plus whatever else you like. I'm pretty certain I got the box at Walmart.

I'm really liking Better than Bouillon brand seasoning bases. They come in a jar.

[Dogwood]

The Ramen Rater
https://www.theramenrater.com
Wayne

He rates mostly based on taste. hard to find most of his pics other than at Asian stores.

Other brands offered here are easier to find and aren't just so heavily rated on taste.

Be mindful of the spice packet of some cheaper brands as they're mostly off the charts sodium, some sugar and other cheapest ingredients.

You could get better or different by throwing the spice packets away and spicing up yourself. I like doing that with Edwards&Sons freeze dried miso packets. Tons of ways you can go with Ramen. Might consider arame or wakame seaweed which reconstitutes fast(crumbled sheets of Nori can work as well, if you go this way there's soy sauce Nori so you can get that flavor and salt without carrying separate soy sauce packets), some dried shiitakes(found even in Dollar Stores), green onions, PB or a nut butter, seed butter like tahini from sesame seed(I buy in a can transferring to a squeeze tube), chili or sesame seed oil, some sesame seeds, dried shrimp, sprouts or greens, etc . You might mix with broccoli slaw and some peanuts or almond slices and PB too. add chunked chicken if that's yo thang.

[Dogwood]

Interesting. I’ve only seen Lotus Ramen in better supermarkets.
For folks like me, Costco may as well be on the moon. Or actually 100+ miles away in the DFW area.
I am partial to the Japanese noodles made in Australia and sold in east Texas. I’ll dredge up the brand name.
HAKUBAKU Noodles
http://www.hakubaku.com.au/en/
Wayne

Target carries Lotus as well as some Wally Worlds.

[Dogwood]

Costco has good prices on bulk packaged Lotus ramen. Lotus has noodles made from buckwheat, millet,..

[Venchka]

Target carries Lotus as well as some Wally Worlds.

Remember where I am. One supermarket might have 2-3 flavors of Lotus products on the shelf. But. The soba and udon Noodles are nearby. Along with SE Asian rice noodles that cook “instantly”. I won’t starve in the woods.
I will investigate Target. However, they are off the beaten path for me.
Wayne

[Dogwood]

get on your pony and get outta the sticks pony express to a store

SOBA buckwheat(Gluten free) noodles are like $2-3 even in the TX train forest area

[Venchka]

get on your pony and get outta the sticks pony express to a store

SOBA buckwheat(Gluten free) noodles are like $2-3 even in the TX train forest area

I know that. They are in the fridge. We’ll think of something nice to do with them.
We like the Sticks.
Wayne

[Just Tom]

Is this the Lotus ramen referred to I assume? How does the price compare to Costco?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lotus+ram...nb_sb_ss_i_1_8

Yes, my Costco has them in 12 brick packages only. I don't have a receipt laying around, but I think it is in the 9 dollar ballpark. Which is much cheaper than I saw at the grocery store for the same brand.

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[OCDave]

Sapporo Ichiban. A Japanese roommate in college introduced me to the brand. Thirty years later I still go through a case per month. My kids eat the dry, noodle blocks as snacks as they are so good. Somewhat exspensive compared to other ramen brands but, for the premium price you'll get great noodles.

https://www.amazon.com/Sapporo-Ichib...XGKAFZC9PXX3ZT

Here is a more credible review: https://www.seriouseats.com/2013/09/...-flavored.html


Good Luck

[OCDave]

Sapporo Ichiban. A Japanese roommate in college introduced me to the brand. Thirty years later I still go through a case per month. My kids eat the dry, noodle blocks as snacks as they are so good. Somewhat exspensive compared to other ramen brands but, for the premium price you'll get great noodles.

https://www.amazon.com/Sapporo-Ichib...XGKAFZC9PXX3ZT

Here is a more credible review: https://www.seriouseats.com/2013/09/...-flavored.html


Good Luck

PS- I pay $ 0.79 per package at a local asian market but it sells for $1.25 per pack at the local supermarket. Even at the higher price, it is worth giving it a try.

[Venchka]

Yes, my Costco has them in 12 brick packages only. I don't have a receipt laying around, but I think it is in the 9 dollar ballpark. Which is much cheaper than I saw at the grocery store for the same brand.

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I checked Costco Online. No luck for the Lotus brand. You must live where ramen is popular.
No worries. I can buy a few locally from time to time.
In the meantime, I'm stocking up on Pad Thai from Backpacker's Pantry and Good To-Go. I scored a Backpacker's Pantry Pad Thai 2 serving meal today at Walmart.
Wayne

[Megapixel]

Mike's Mighty Craft Ramen is out of this world. Fried Garlic is unreal, as is the Kimchi flavor.

[Dogwood]

I checked Costco Online. No luck for the Lotus brand. You must live where ramen is popular.
No worries. I can buy a few locally from time to time.
In the meantime, I'm stocking up on Pad Thai from Backpacker's Pantry and Good To-Go. I scored a Backpacker's Pantry Pad Thai 2 serving meal today at Walmart.
Wayne

See, getting out of the sticks to a Walmart can provide opportunities for finding food. Who knew?

Now, go back to the Bat Cave in the sticks and enjoy the food. Who knew? What a country.

[W8lkinUSA]

I checked Costco Online. No luck for the Lotus brand. You must live where ramen is popular.
No worries. I can buy a few locally from time to time.
In the meantime, I'm stocking up on Pad Thai from Backpacker's Pantry and Good To-Go. I scored a Backpacker's Pantry Pad Thai 2 serving meal today at Walmart.
Wayne

Backcountry's Pantry has a bunch of discounts at the moment. I've just purchased an inordinate amount of stuff at ~30% off which includes my 20% first order discount and free shipping. Most of my order was originally 72% [off without discounts], but I reckon I had a total 70-75% savings with discounts.

[Venchka]

Backcountry's Pantry has a bunch of discounts at the moment. I've just purchased an inordinate amount of stuff at ~30% off which includes my 20% first order discount and free shipping. Most of my order was originally 72% [off without discounts], but I reckon I had a total 70-75% savings with discounts.

Thanks for the news!
Alas, I have more backpacking meals than I am allowed to keep in the pantry.
If I ever use up my current inventory, I'll remember that Backpacker's Pantry runs online deals!
Cheers!
Wayne

[Two Tents]

Indomie BBQ chicken is yum. You do the ramen noodles as usual but then drain and mix the five packs of seasoning and it makes a tangy, slightly sticky and sweet bowl of noodles
The bigger Oriental markets have an entire isle with nothing but noodles, soups and ramen

[Sarcasm the elf]

This is by far my favorite, although it is rice noodles and not wheat noodles.

EAD9F268-E8AA-4C4C-9C08-948A7A7F6FC5.jpg