Top 10 Best Instant Ramen of 2024 [Unbeatable Taste]
- By Chris James
- Leave Comment
Ramen needs no introduction. They are collegegoers best friend and time-saver’s last resort. Being delicious, cheap, and filling – they are undoubtedly a blessing in disguise for those who need instant food.
Although price makes this commodity one of the best selling items across the USA, there are several other reasons for its never-ending popularity, just like Shirataki noodles. We will discuss these and the benefits that this product can provide to you. But first, let’s check out the top picks if you are on the lookout for the best instant ramen.
But before we begin, it’s worth noting that no two ramen tastes alike. There is a wide variety of flavors, types, and brands that may make you confused while you are out there searching for quality ramen available today on the market.
Enough said. Now is the time to dig into the world of some of the delicious instant ramen products that can be the solution to your hunger pangs without making you broke.
Here you go…
Top 10 Best Instant Ramen
1. Nongshim Shin Bowl Instant Noodle Soup
Key Features
- High quality
- Well-spiced
- Soft and chewy
- Ready to eat in minutes
For the love of spices, get this noodle soup from Nongshim, and you’ll be thanking us for sure. With a savory beef broth and fresh vegetables, it’s a combination worth indulging in every time you are craving some deliciousness sent from heaven.
And if you’re the type who cares for the planet, you will be glad to use these recyclable bowls, which can be cooked in the microwave. Go for these if you are on the search for bowl noodles that are low on sodium and contain no MSG.
2. Lotus Foods Millet and Brown Rice Ramen with Soup
Key Features
- Cooks in 5 minutes tops
- Low sodium
- No MSG
- Organic
Okay, we’re not the only ones who are the fans of Lotus Foods. If you are into food, you’d have heard of the brand and its amazing products. And this Millet & Brown Rice Instant Ramen is a testament to the awesomeness that the brand creates to satiate the hunger of tasty food lovers.
As the name suggests, these traditional Japanese-style noodles are made with millet and brown rice. So, if you are a fitness freak, you are going to enjoy a bowl full of these nutrition rich and easily digestible ramen.
3. Crystal Noodle Soup, Variety Pack
Key Features
- Ready in three minutes
- No MSG added
- 100% Vegetarian
- Flourless
They say, “Variety is the spice of life”. And that’s what this variety pack from Crystal Noodle proves. The package comes with one packet each of Hot & Sour, Spicy Sesame Paste, Vegetable, 6 Kinds of Mushroom, Spicy Tofu, and Savory Shoyu flavors. It’s like eating a new meal every day!
With 0% trans fat, these non-fried noodles are gluten free too. Plus, they are naturally low in calories and cholesterol as well. Taste and health. Both ticked.
4. Nissin Raoh, Soy Sauce
Key Features
- 0% Trans Fat
- 100% Vegetarian
- No MSG added
- Gets ready in 3 minutes
Nissin RAOH gets a lot of love for its premium Japanese ramen noodles. And why not? After all, the brand takes inspiration from the shops across Japan to bring you delicious noodles that taste as authentic as they can get.
Produced in a careful manner using a state-of-the-art, triple-layer process, these noodles are not fried, which makes them nutritious as well as delectable. While it’s hard to see past that, do note that these are gluten free too!
5. Maruchan Flavor Instant Ramen Noodles
Key Features
- Cooks in 3 minutes
- Value for money
- Perfect college gift
- Tastes great
Be warned: Once you eat this, you may not want to try anything else. Well, yes, it’s that good! And that’s no exaggeration. Perhaps, because Maruchan provides products that have authentic taste and texture of true ramen noodles. And to top it all, the soy sauce flavor does all the magic. Try it for yourself and be ready to stock them up.
6. Maruchan Instant Lunch Chicken Flavor
Key Features
- Fantastic flavor
- Ready in three minutes
- Good deal
- Great for both a snack or a meal
There’s another entry to the list from Maruchan and a well-deserved one! As it turns out, we can’t get enough of Maruchan. Can we? These are quick to make, and the best part is the yummy chicken flavor. It’s not too overpowering and not too subtle, yet intense and delightful — hands down one of the best selling instant ramen lunch flavors from the brand.
7. Indomie Mi Goreng
Key Features
- 390 calories per serving, i.e. one individual packet
- 100% Halal certified
- Quick to cook
- Contains Preservatives, Sesame, Sesame Oil, Soy, Soybean, Wheat
If you love the combination of soy sauce and sesame, you won’t be able to get over this bowl of heavenly tasting noodles. A type of instant noodle that’s enjoyed without soup, Indomie Goreng is your answer to hunger when you covet deliciousness to be served instantly. The perfect food for all times, this pack contains 30 individually wrapped packets of Indomie Mi Goreng noodles.
8. Dr. McDougall's Right Foods Ramen Chicken Soup with Noodles
Key Features
- No added oil
- Tasty, nutritious, healthy and convenient
- Plant-based
- Non-GMO verified
The perfect option for vegans, this cup from Dr. McDougall’s comes from trees in certified sustainably-managed forests. And they are as quick to make as excellent they are to taste. All That you need to do is to add water, wait for a few minutes, and you’ll be all ready to experience the best that this brand has to offer.
Who’d turn down a bowl of this soup made with organic steamed and non-fried noodles? And if you get to eat it on the go? Well, not me, for sure!
9. NongShim Soon Cup Noodle Soup
Key Features
- 0g Trans Fat per serving
- Registered with the Vegan Society
- Simple and easy to make
- Ready to eat in minutes
- Made In USA
Get ready to relish tonnes of goodness in one soup. This product from NongShim is made with 100% vegan ingredients. No meat or non-vegan component has been used to make this veggie noodle soup. And it’s so good that even meat lovers will enjoy it to the fullest. Thanks to the hearty flavors that the vegetable broth contains.
10. Nissin RAOH Ramen Noodle Soup
Key Features
- Japanese style
- Authentic soup base
- Cooks in four minutes
- Easy to make
- Restaurant quality
Another gem from Nissin RAOH, and this time we have the sumptuous Umami Tonkotsu flavor to savor. A style from Kyushu (southern Japan), Tonkotsu is a renowned flavor in Japan and the US as well. RAOH’s Umami Tonkotsu comes with several layers of flavors, including ginger, garlic, and onion. So, if your kind of soup is the one that’s rich and delicious, you must get this product to experience the superb explosion of taste and texture inside your mouth.
Instant Ramen Buying Guide
For all those who are always first in line to enjoy a hearty meal of ramen, finding a good product may seem like an uphill task. But this guide can be your ultimate savior when you are out there looking for the best instant ramen and don’t know where to start. Before you get deep into the discussion, first, let’s check the benefits that this gourmet meal can provide.
Benefits of Instant Ramen
Yes, it can be cooked in a jiffy. Yes, it’s a poor man’s boon. Yes, you can enjoy it with a lot of veggies and protein-rich ingredients to make the most of it. However, it does have some other benefits that you must check. Let’s begin.
- You don’t need to invest in any fancy equipment to cook it. As long as you have hot drinkable water, you can cook it in any pot. And if you get the cup ones, you are good to go just with water.
- It makes the perfect outdoor food when you need energy but don’t have options to cook a complete meal.
- You can get it in low-sodium varieties to keep your health in check. There are also options to have it without added MSG, which makes it even healthier than its traditional versions.
Things you must consider before purchasing Instant Ramen
To get the instant ramen that you won’t be able to resist, there are a few things you need to consider. Check them out below.
Flavors – It comes in a variety of flavors. While you can always try new dishes by adding your own ingredients, the choice of flavor has a lot to do with the overall taste of the meal. From Tonkotsu to Shio, Shoyu and Miso – choose the type of broth you like and enjoy it without any guilt trip.
Fat Content – There are two types of ramen – one that comes with fried noodles and the other one with non-fried. Usually, you will get the deep fried or dehydrated ones, which contain a lot of fat. The total fat and saturated fat content in instant noodles differ according to their drying process and the seasoning ingredients. That’s why, if you are too bothered about the amount of fat you consume, it’s essential to check the fat contents before indulging in this product.
Sodium Content – It’s no surprise that most of the variety of ramen contains high sodium. But then, you can also get several products with less sodium. Pick the lower sodium versions to have a meal that’s not only tasty but nutritious too.
FAQs
1. Can I eat ramen every day?
Yes, you can, but it isn’t advisable. As with any instant product, ramen too can lead to adverse effects on the health if used regularly. Too much consumption of this product is even linked with increased metabolic syndrome, high blood sugar, increased blood pressure, and excess abdominal fat. So, it’s best to eat it processed food items like this occasionally or when you need some quick meal without putting in a lot of effort.
2. Does instant ramen offer any nutrients?
Yes. It contains iron, manganese, and B vitamins. However, it doesn’t contain fiber, protein, and other important vitamins and minerals. That’s why it’s good to increase your intake of unprocessed foods to get a wholesome diet, rather than depending too much on processed foods like instant ramen noodles.
3. How can I make ramen healthy?
The solution is simple. First, pick a product that contains less sodium and no MSG if possible. Then, combine it with other ingredients to get a nourishing meal. From tossing a few veggies like spinach, carrots, broccoli, peppers, and zucchini, etc. to adding protein in the form of chicken, beef, pork, and fish – you can do it all. Try different combinations and keep on experimenting to get a tasty bowl of ramen that’s mouthwatering, healthy and gratifying.
Get a bowl full of the ultimate comfort food
Hear us out: You can transform the ordinary ramen into a much more flavorsome dish by experimenting with different flavors, accompaniments, and toppings. So, take a good look at this list and make way for the best instant noodles in your pantry. Prepare for the times when the hunger is high, and cash is low, or for the times when nostalgia hits you hard and takes you back to those college days when you binged on ramen.
