Ramen Experience: Week Three

Please excuse the tardiness of this post. Daniel and I were busy having a splendid time in Ventura, followed by a not so splendid time beginning summer session at SJSU.

Ah, but here we are again... ready and able to write about eating delicioso ramen! This week we tried Mama Pork Flavoured ramen. My first thought about this ramen was that it was quite unusual that this standard plastic-wrap packaged ramen advises that the ramen be prepared like a cup of noodle style ramen. Rather than boiling water and adding the noodles and soup base to the pot, one is instructed to add the boiling water to the noodles and soup base in a bowl and cover for 3 minutes. Interesting...

I soon realized why these instructions were provided when I discovered that the noodles are the same as those in cup of noodle style ramen; thin and lacking in the full robustness of the standard ramen noodle.

Now it should be known that I am a noodle lover. Typically, I enjoy the ramen noodles more than the broth itself, and often a small amount of broth remains after I have thoroughly enjoyed my noodles. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Mama Pork Flavoured ramen broth had a very nice and satisfying full-bodied flavor. The accompanying chili powder packet gives the broth an unexpected kick that makes the ramen especially enjoyable when one initially anticipates a more mellow pork flavor. I found myself straying from routine and made sure to savor every last drop of broth.

Mama Pork Flavoured ramen definitely exceeded my expectations. Or perhaps the cup of noodle style cooking instructions and the three accompanying packets (soup base, bean paste, and chili powder) made me a bit skeptical at first. Either way, the ramen was delicioso!

If you aren't afraid of a little spice paired with your pork broth, you will enjoy this ramen. Just be mindful of the chili powder flakes... if you sip too slowly they may stick to the back of your throat and catch you off guard.

3.5 out of 5 chopsticks!