The Best Instant Ramen [Taste Test]

The best instant ramen is flavorful, affordable, and easy to prepare. There’s no shortage of good instant ramen on the market, and that’s what makes choosing one so hard.

Whenever I hit the ramen aisle at 99 Ranch, I am struck with decision paralysis. The fact that a product exists that is so easy and versatile and flavorful absolutely blows my mind. Then, on top of that, there are so many styles and brands of instant ramen. I regularly partake in the wonder that is packaged ramen. My preferred method is cooking it on the stovetop and topping it with an air fryer soft-boiled egg, a ton of scallions, and a scoop (not drizzle) of chili oil.

A quick note before we get into the list: There is an almost infinite number of brands and flavors of ramen. So, we decided to taste the most popular, most searched-for brands that are available in America. That being said, I highly recommend doing your own research on the best store bought ramen by buying every type you can find at your local Asian grocery store.

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Best Standard

If you want the best version of classic, savory, salty ramen, grab a pack of Sapporo Ichiban Original Ramen Noodle Soup. It’s not spicy or zesty or different. In fact, it’s a little boring. But it’s boring in a perfect way. It’s warm and comforting and reliable. I would reach for this if I had a cold or if I was looking for a great base for toppings. It’s also delicious enough to eat by itself on a day when you feel incredible.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Vegetable

If you want a ramen that is vegan but isn’t inspired by meat, grab this Nongshim Soon Veggie Noodle Soup. It’s a veggie soup that brings vegetables to the forefront of the conversation in a spectacular way. An important thing to note is that this actually has a spicy kick. This is a huge bonus for me, but it did come as a surprise because it’s labeled mild. This ramen is not for spice-haters, but this ramen is definitely for me.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Vegetarian

This is the most flavorful vegan take on a meat-based ramen we tried. The broth is so rich and chicken-y, which is shocking considering it’s totally plant based. On top of its great taste, this ramen is high in protein, halal, and kosher. Additionally, Chef Woo products are made in the USA. We love that their ramen packs a big punch of flavor and the fact that they are on a mission to make “more sustainable food that’s truly accessible and affordable.”

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Spicy

Shrimp lovers, this one is for you! I can’t believe how complex and delicious the broth tastes. It’s giving 100% real shrimp stock, and we loved it. It’s shrimpy without being fishy (negative). On top of that, it’s nice and spicy. There’s also a little citrusy twang. If you put some real plump and juicy shrimp on top of this along with some thinly sliced scallions, you would be in shellfish heaven. I wasn’t expecting this bowl of instant ramen to be as good as it is, but I’ll never forget it because it’s some of the best store bought ramen I’ve ever had.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Best Cup Noodle Upgrade

I know, I know. You think this is “the best instant ramen” and you “can’t believe I put it so low on this list.” Well, that’s where it landed. Maybe it’s our fault for coming in with such high expectations—we thought it would take the top spot, but it didn’t. It’s very, very good. I mean, we gave it 9/10 sporks. The broth is savory, there’s a slight heat, and the noodles are thin and chewy. I found this to be a little one-note, but it is a very delicious note.

Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Restaurant Style

Nissin’s Demae Black Garlic Oil Tonkotsu Artificial Pork Flavor Ramen is like the soup you’d get from a cool ramen restaurant in Brooklyn. It tastes deliciously authentic but feels unique and elevated. The black garlic oil adds a savory umami flavor to the rich, salty broth. Nissin makes great ramen in general, but this black garlic oil tonkotsu version is next level. This is easily one of the best instant ramen noodle packets we tried.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Splurge

In this house, we love the Iron Chef franchise, so the Masaharu Morimoto instant noodles were an easy sell. His face is on the bag! The portion is large, which I love. If I’m eating noodles, I’m trying to eat a lot of noodles. The broth is buttery and meaty and soaks into the thin noodles. This would be an incredible base to dress up. Adding some pork belly, a soy sauce egg, and some corn would instantly turn this into a fancy dinner that you could serve to guests.

Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Most Flavorful

This is my favorite ramen we tried. The first time we tried ramen, MAMA’s artificial chicken flavor was my favorite. It’s definitely our #1 ramen, but now this tom yum version has topped it in my book. It is so unbelievably flavorful. The notes of lemongrass, ginger, and lime are pronounced. It has the perfect amount of spice. The shrimp flavor is subtle without being too fishy. This tom yum is better than some tom yum I’ve had at Thai restaurants. Buy this! Eat it! It’s incredible!

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Chicken

I don’t know how I have lived my entire life without trying MAMA Instant Noodles. They are maybe one of the best things to ever grace my mouth. These instant noodles come with not one, not two, but three little flavor packets to add maximum deliciousness. They’re a little peppery, delightfully oily, and so, so savory. You do not need to add a single thing to these noodles. They are perfect as is. Oh, did I mention they’re vegetarian?! MAMA Instant Noodles will be a staple in my house moving forward. They are the best instant ramen noodles we tried.

Credit: Ryan Martin / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Everything about Jin Ramen Korean Style Noodles is wonderful, but the noodles are particularly spectacular, and that’s what makes it one of the best instant ramen brands we tried. These are restaurant-quality noodles. If you told me they were hand-pulled, I’d believe you. They are bouncy and tender and perfectly chewy. If you’re a noodle fiend, you simply must try this ramen. Don’t let me sell it short, though. The broth is also spectacular. It comes in hot and mild, and both are great.

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried: Nissin Original Cup Noodle, Nissin Hot and Spicy Chicken Noodle Bowl, Top Ramen Chicken, Top Ramen Beef, Chef Woo Ramen Express Beef, Mama Artificial Pork, Shin Beef Bone Broth, Indomie Instant Noodles Soup Special Chicken Flavor, Maggi Chicken Flavor, Immi Black Garlic, Jin Spicy, Maggi Asam Laksa, Sapporo Miso, Sapporo Shio, Nissin Original Cup Noodle, Chef Woo Braised Beef, Chef Woo Lemongrass, Chef Woo Chili Togarashi, Nissin Cup Noodle, Mike’s Mighty Good Ramen Chicken, Maruchan Instant Ramen, Dr. McDougal’s Vegan Ramen, Trader Joe’s Chicken Instant Ramen, Nissin Demae (assorted), Tapatio Chicken

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