Are you looking for the best Japanese instant ramen? Well, check out this list of top instant noodles that are incredibly tasty and get ready in no time. Read further to know more about these Japanese cup noodles.
Satisfy your cravings for quick and delicious meals with our guide to the best Japanese instant ramen. Experience the convenience and authentic flavors of Japan's beloved comfort food, featuring a variety of savory broths and springy noodles.
Elevate your dining experience with these top-rated instant ramen options that deliver a taste of Japan to your table in minutes.
Which Is The Best Japanese Instant Ramen?
Nissin Raoh Tonkotsu Ramen is the best Japanese instant ramen. This instant ramen offers a rich and flavorful pork bone broth (tonkotsu) that rivals restaurant quality. The premium noodles have a satisfying chew, making it a delicious and close-to-authentic experience.
Best Japanese Instant Ramen: Quick Summary
| Best Japanese Instant Ramen | Flavour |
| Nissin Donbei kitsune | Soy flavour, topped with tofu (vegetarian) |
| Narikyu Dan Dan | Spicy, and creamy |
| Maruchan Midori No Tanuki Ten Soba | Buckwheat noodles, shrimp tempura |
| Nissin Cup Noodles Seafood | Creamy seafood with egg toppings |
| Nissin Raoh Ramen | Pork, umami |
| Nissin Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto ramen | Spicy miso with meat and veggies |
| Sapporo Ichiban Shio ramen | Miso, sesame |
| Nissin UFO Yakisoba | Saucy and creamy |
| Maruchan - Seimen Japanese Instant Ramen | Miso, meat and veggies |
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Best Japanese Instant Ramen
Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen
Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen is a popular brand of instant ramen that is known for its rich and flavorful broth. The broth is made with a blend of six different types of miso paste, which gives it a deep, umami flavor.
The noodles are springy and chewy, and the package also includes a packet of dried vegetables and a spice packet.
To prepare the ramen, simply add the noodles and vegetables to boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. Then, add the spice packet and stir until the noodles are cooked through.
The ramen is ready to eat and can be customized with your favorite toppings, such as shredded chicken, pork, or tofu.
Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen is a convenient and affordable way to enjoy a delicious bowl of ramen at home. The broth is flavorful and the noodles are cooked perfectly. The dried vegetables add a bit of crunch, and the spice packet gives the ramen a bit of a kick.
Overall, Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen is a great option for people who are looking for a quick and easy way to enjoy a bowl of ramen. It is flavorful, affordable, and easy to prepare.
What I liked:
- Rich and flavorful broth
- Springy and chewy noodles
- Convenient and affordable
- Easy to prepare
What I didn't like:
- High in sodium
- Contains artificial flavors
- May not be as authentic as restaurant-made ramen
Nissin Chicken Ramen
Nissin Chicken Ramen is a classic brand of instant ramen that has been around for decades. It is known for its simple, yet flavorful broth and chewy noodles.
The broth is made with chicken stock and soy sauce, and it has a mild, savory flavor. The noodles are made from wheat flour and they have a good bite to them.
The package also includes a packet of dried vegetables and a spice packet. The vegetables are carrots, onions, and green onions. The spice packet contains a blend of spices, including garlic powder, onion powder, and ginger powder.
To prepare the ramen, simply add the noodles and vegetables to boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. Then, add the spice packet and stir until the noodles are cooked through.
The ramen is ready to eat and can be customized with your favorite toppings, such as shredded chicken, pork, or tofu.
Nissin Chicken Ramen is a convenient and affordable way to enjoy a delicious bowl of ramen at home. The broth is flavorful and the noodles are cooked perfectly. The dried vegetables add a bit of crunch, and the spice packet gives the ramen a bit of a kick.
Overall, Nissin Chicken Ramen is a great option for people who are looking for a quick and easy way to enjoy a bowl of ramen. It is flavorful, affordable, and easy to prepare.
What I liked:
- Flavorful broth
- Chewy noodles
- Convenient and affordable
- Easy to prepare
What I didn't like:
- High in sodium
- Contains artificial flavors
- May not be as authentic as restaurant-made ramen
Nissin Donbei kitsune
Best Japanese instant ramen vegetarian
Nissin Donbei Kitsune is one of the best vegetarian ramen that has a rich flavour of soy and instant udon noodles. This is one of my personal favourites because of the soy flavour and added tofu. I love eating it on a rainy day.
The topping of deep fried tofu perfectly matches the udon and soy sauce combination. It resembles Osaka's specialty ramen and brings back so many memories.
If you’re a vegetarian and want to try out instant ramen, this is perfect for you! All you need to do is just pour some hot water and let it sit for about 5-7 mins to let it cook. It’s one of the best Japanese instant ramen in vegetarian options that I’ve ever had!
What I liked:
- Vegetarian
- less time to cook
- Amazing flavour
What I disliked:
- nothing
Ratings:
- Texture: 8/10
- Taste: 9/10
- Affordability: 8/10
Related: Best Japanese Convenience Store Food
Nakiryu Dan Dan
Best instant ramen Japan - Michelin star
Nakiryu Dan Dan is an award-winning ramen noodle that’s worth trying at least once. Nakiryu is one of the very few shops that has won a Michelin star award. The Nakiryu Dan Dan instant ramen is scrumptious with notes of spiciness and creaminess.
I've had Dan Dan ramen only once but the taste of it still lingers on my tongue. I love the taste, it's something you've never had before.
The noodles are thin and the broth is thick which makes for a perfect combo. This best Japanese instant ramen is a little expensive but it’s definitely worth the money. Add dry ingredients first and then the wet to cook the Nakiryu Dan Dan ramen.
What I liked:
- Flavour of spice and cream
- Thin noodles
- Thick broth
What I disliked:
- No value for money
Ratings:
- Texture: 9/10
- Taste: 10/10
- Affordability: 6/10
Maruchan Midori No Tanuki Ten Soba
Best Japanese instant ramen for shrimp flavour
Maruchan’s midori no tanuki ten soba is a must try as it belongs to the best Japanese instant ramen brands. It has buckwheat noodles that’s light brown in colour with a full shrimp based tempura. It’s the best snack to enjoy during the cold season.
This ramen is decently priced and worth it. You can also add toppings such as boiled or fried eggs with pieces of meat to enhance the flavour. If you love seafood, this is going to be your favorite. It's my go-to snack during winters.
The only thing I didn't like about this instant ramen is that the noodles's texture isn't great and takes a lot of time to cook properly.
What I liked:
- Easy to make
- Seafood based
- authentic flavour
What I disliked:
- Noodles texture isn't good
Ratings:
- Texture: 6/10
- Taste: 8/10
- Affordability: 9/10
Nissin Cup Noodles Seafood
Best Japanese instant ramen for seafood flavour
Nissin Cup Noodles come in various flavours like tomato chilli, curry, soy sauce, seafood etc. This seafood flavour is definitely the best out of all. The creamy seafood flavoured broth with egg, crab, squid, and shrimp toppings taste delicious.
Another seafood-based ramen that I absolutely love is this cup noodles. I love the broth especially as it's super delicious.
The best part about this ramen is that it’s fairly healthier than the rest as it has no added MSG and has reduced sodium as well. The noodles are thin and flat that go along well with the broth and seafood topping. It’s definitely one of the best Japanese instant ramen noodles.
What I liked:
- Seafood based
- Delicious broth
- Thin and flat noodles texture
- Affordable
- Comparetively healthy
What I disliked:
- nothing
Ratings:
- Texture: 9/10
- Taste: 8.5/10
- Affordability: 9/10
Related: Kid Friendly Japanese Food
Nissin Raoh Ramen
Best Japanese instant ramen for pork flavour
Nissin Raoh ramen is one of the best flavours I’ve ever tasted. The ramen when completely cooked doesn’t look as appealing but it tastes amazingly delicious. The rich, creamy, and white pork bone soup with noodles is heavenly.
If you love pork, you're going to love this ramen. I also add veggies to make this ramen more interesting and it goes so well with the pork broth.
It’s tonkotsu served with thin and firm noodles with a slightly umami flavour. It’s one of the most flavourful instant ramen where you can literally taste and differentiate between different flavours. These Japanese instant noodles are available online for purchase.
What I liked:
- Pork bone soup
- Thin and firm noodles
- flavoursome
What I disliked:
- No value for money
Ratings:
- Texture: 9/10
- Taste: 9.5/10
- Affordability: 7/10
Nissin Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto
Best Japanese instant ramen for spicy miso flavour
Nissin Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto ramen is a collaboration between a restaurant and 7-Eleven convenience store. Tanmen Japanese instant noodles are extremely famous for their spice and flavourful balance of veggies and meat in miso paste.
I have these noodles only once in a while as I find it way too spicy for my liking.
I love this Japanese ramen as it's not bland. It’s super aromatic and doesn’t feel like it's “instantly” made. It’s apparently one of the spiciest instant ramens so if you can’t handle spice, I’d advise you to avoid it. If you can handle spice, it’ll be the best Japanese ramen you’ve ever had.
What I liked:
- Easily available
- Spicy flavour
- Contains vegetables
What I disliked:
- Extra spicy
Ratings:
- Texture: 8.5/10
- Taste: 7.5/10
- Affordability: 8/10
Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen
Best Japanese instant ramen for miso flavour
Sapporo Ichiban Shio ramen will not disappoint you because you’ll definitely feel like it has the taste of authentic Japanese ramen. The noodles are deep fried and the broth is made with miso that is perfect for an evening snack.
The notes of sesame make it better as you sprinkle it on top. You can also taste salt, onion and garlic flavour in the broth that goes pretty well with the noodles. The hidden notes of chicken in the broth makes it even better. This is one of the best Japanese instant ramen in miso flavour.
It's best to add a piece of meat because it adds more flavour to the ramen. I love this ramen as it's easily available.
What I liked:
- Easily available
- Flavoursome
- Authentic ramen noodles
What I disliked:
- not very healthy
Ratings:
- Texture: 8.5/10
- Taste: 9/10
- Affordability: 9/10
Nissin UFO Yakisoba
Best Japanese instant ramen for soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce flavour
Nissin UFO Yakisoba is one of the best tasting Japanese instant ramen noodles that you’ll ever try if you love different types of flavour blast. The noodles are not ordinary and are pretty chewy which goes well with the Worcestershire and soy sauces.
If you love your ramen thick, this is the best choice for you. I don't like this ramen as much as I like thin noodles in my ramen.
You can also taste cut crispy cabbages, pork, pickled ginger and seaweed. It’s extremely flavoursome and the entire pack is a treat. The perfect balance of sweet and savoury, and is definitely a must try.
What I liked:
- Sweet and savoury taste
- Added veggies
- flavour blast
What I disliked:
- A little too chewy
Ratings:
- Texture: 7/10
- Taste: 9/10
- Affordability: 8/10
Maruchan - Seimen Japanese Instant Ramen
Best Japanese instant ramen for miso, meat and vegetable flavour
Maruchan Seimen instant ramen has a perfect flavour of miso in their broth and the veggies and meat add power to this instant ramen. The noodles are slightly thick and chewy with a broth of red miso, and ginger.
I love the taste of this ramen and it also is extremely aromatic. It’s a perfect snack for winters as the piping hot bowl of ramen noodle soup is extremely soothing. It’s one of the best Japanese instant ramen in miso flavour.
What I liked:
- Aromatic
- Contains veggies
- Amazing Miso flavour
What I disliked:
- Thick and chewy noodles
Ratings:
- Texture: 7.5/10
- Taste: 8/10
- Affordability: 9/10
Nissin - Raoh Kojuku Koku Miso
This Japanese instant ramen noodles is definitely my favorite for its blast of flavors in the tongue. I love how the ramen noodles are not so thick and chewy that come well with a thick and spicy miso soup.
You’ll find four sachets in the instant ramen box that contains two dry toppings, and two soup stocks. It’s advisable to add the flavor sachets after 5 minutes of adding hot boiling water so that it's cooked well. The aroma of this Nissin noodles is so delectable. You can add a piece of meat if you feel like it.
What I liked:
- Spicy miso flavour
- A lot of veggies and other toppings
- Easy to cook
What I disliked:
- No value for money
Ratings:
- Texture: 8.5/10
- Taste: 8.5/10
- Affordability: 7/10
Best Japanese Instant Ramen: FAQs
Is instant ramen bad for your health?
Some instant ramen are highly processed and have great amounts of sodium which makes them bad for health. It’s not recommended to eat instant ramen daily but once in a while is okay. You can also choose healthier options of instant noodles that don’t have MSG or have reduced sodium content.
What is the most popular instant noodle in Japan?
Nissin Cup Noodles are the most popular instant noodles in Japan.
What kind of ramen do they eat in Japan?
There are four main types of ramen in Japan: miso, shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce) and tonkatsu (pork bone stock). All four types of ramen are widely eaten in Japan. You can also add pieces of meat, seafood, chicken stock, seasonings, etc.
Is Japanese ramen healthy?
Japanese ramen isn’t really healthy to be eaten on a daily basis. It contains a good amount of gluten, carbs, and fats that aren’t great for health. Instant ramen or cup noodles also contain preservatives that lead to problems like cardiovascular risks, obesity, etc.
What can you add to Japanese ramen to make it yummy?
You can add toppings like meat slices of pork, chicken, etc. to make it yummy. Many people also add veggies and stock with seasonings to enhance the flavour of Japanese ramen.
What is Japan's favorite ramen?
Japan’s favourte type of ramen is Tonkatsu ramen which has a milky, murky, and pork bone stock flavour. The prok bones are boiled on high heat for as long as 72 hours which makes this ramen so flavourful.
Is instant ramen better in Japan?
Yes, instant ramen is generally considered to be of higher quality and more diverse in flavor options in Japan compared to other countries. This is primarily due to the fact that instant ramen originated in Japan, and the country has a strong culture of ramen appreciation. As a result, Japanese instant ramen brands often prioritize using better ingredients, more authentic flavors, and more innovative packaging.
Japanese Instant Ramen Noodles
I hope you enjoyed some of our top recommendations for the best Japanese instant ramen. These instant ramen are delicious and so easy to make. It’s definitely worth having once in a while. Don’t forget to top it with your favorite toppings like egg, meat or scallions. Cheers!
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