Momofuku Instant Noodle Review: Gourmet Ramen at Home?

Hey there ramen lovers! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the perfect bowl of noodle soup. From tiny hole-in-the-wall joints to Michelin-starred restaurants, I‘ve slurped my way through them all in search of ramen nirvana. So when I heard that culinary superstar David Chang was releasing a line of Momofuku instant noodles, I knew I had to try them.

I‘ve been a huge fan of Momofuku since my first bite of their signature pork belly buns years ago. Chang‘s empire has since grown to include restaurants, cookbooks, TV shows, and now – instant ramen. The idea of a quick and easy way to get my Momofuku fix at home was seriously enticing. But could an instant noodle capture the same magic as a steaming bowl served in their restaurant? I bought all three flavors and put them to the test to find out.

Spoiler alert: these aren‘t your average grocery store ramen. With chewy noodles, complex broths, and gourmet touches, Momofuku instant noodles are a cut above the rest. While not exactly cheap, I think they‘re worth the splurge for a restaurant-quality ramen experience at home. Intrigued? Grab a spoon and let‘s dive into the details of my Momofuku taste test!

A Brief History of Instant Ramen

But first – some context. Did you know instant ramen was invented in 1958 by Momofuku Ando, the Taiwanese-Japanese founder of Nissin Foods? Ando flash-fried fresh noodles to dehydrate them, creating a shelf-stable block that could be rehydrated quickly with boiling water. Brilliant!

His creation, Chikin Ramen (chicken ramen), was an instant hit in postwar Japan. It offered a cheap, filling meal to a population struggling with food shortages. Ando followed up with Cup Noodles in 1971, sparking an instant ramen empire that now spans the globe.

Today, over 100 billion servings of instant ramen are eaten worldwide each year according to the World Instant Noodles Association. It‘s become a cultural icon – a favorite of college students, a go-to lazy meal, the subject of countless Internet hacks. And in recent years, instant ramen has gotten a gourmet makeover with the rise of premium brands like Prima Taste, Nongshim, and now – Momofuku.

Overview of Momofuku Instant Noodles

Momofuku‘s foray into instant ramen shouldn‘t come as a surprise. Chef David Chang has been elevating humble dishes like pork buns and fried chicken sandwiches since opening his first restaurant, Momofuku Noodle Bar, in 2004. His culinary empire now includes over a dozen restaurants, multiple cookbooks, and several Netflix shows.

Chang‘s ramen, in particular, has earned cult status among noodle lovers for its rich, complex broths and springy noodles. So I had high hopes for his instant noodle line, which comes in three flavors:

• Spicy Soy: A tamari soy broth with gochugaru chile flakes, fried garlic and ginger. Described as "deep, savory and spicy."

• Tingly Chili: Inspired by Sichuan mala flavors with a chili oil-laced broth, Sichuan peppercorns, and shiitake mushroom powder. Billed as "spicy, tingly, and umami-rich."

• Savory Ramen: The mildest of the bunch with an "umami-forward" broth flavored with kombu seaweed, shiitake mushrooms, and sesame oil.

All of the noodles are air-dried, not fried, and made with organic wheat flour. The soup bases feature "real" ingredients like fried garlic, sesame seeds, and mushroom powder. Preparation is simple – just add boiling water and let steep for 4 minutes. At $3.60 per serving, they‘re definitely pricier than your standard cup noodles. But how do they actually taste? Let‘s find out!

Momofuku Instant Noodle Taste Test

For my official taste test, I enlisted the help of my partner (a fellow ramen fiend) and prepared all three flavors according to the package directions. We first sampled each broth and noodles on their own, then gussied them up with toppings like soft boiled egg, spinach, and bamboo shoots. Here are our thoughts:

Noodles (All Flavors)

Let‘s start with the noodles, since they‘re the star of any good ramen. I am happy to report that Momofuku‘s noodles are really excellent – springy, chewy, and fresh-tasting. They have a pleasant bite and wheaty flavor that holds up well even after sitting in the broth for a while. Definitely a step up from the often mushy, overcooked noodles you get with cheaper instant brands. A promising start!

Spicy Soy Broth

We started with the Spicy Soy flavor, which had a lustrous, brick red broth flecked with fried garlic and ginger. The aroma was really compelling – savory and slightly smoky with a hint of sesame oil. And the taste delivered on that promise. Deep, meaty soy flavor balanced by nutty sesame oil and a slow-building heat from the gochugaru flakes. The fried garlic and ginger added pops of flavor and textural interest.

The spice level was just right for me – enough to make my nose run a bit, but not overwhelmingly hot. My partner, who has a higher spice tolerance, still found it satisfying. We both agreed it was the most "restaurant-like" broth of the bunch – I could easily imagine being served this at a ramen shop.

Tingly Chili Broth

Next up was the Tingly Chili variety. If the Spicy Soy was a comforting hug, this broth packed more of a punch with its vivid orange color and slick of chili oil on top. The scent was heady and inviting with notes of soy sauce, sesame, and Sichuan peppercorn.

And wow, that first slurp! Intensely savory and spicy with a pronounced ma la (numbing spice) effect from the peppercorns. The chili oil added a roasty, almost smoky element while fried shallot and shiitake powder provided an earthy backbone. I found myself slurping faster and faster, alternating bites of noodles with spoonfuls of broth to prolong the pleasant burn.

My partner, who loves spicy food, declared this his favorite of the three. The only downside – after so much heat and tingly numbness, it was hard to taste much else afterward! This is definitely one for spice lovers.

Savory Ramen Broth

Finally, we came to the Savory Ramen. Billed as "a classic ramen base," this had the mildest flavor profile of the three. The broth was a light golden color with visible flecks of kombu seaweed and sesame seeds. Aroma-wise, it was more delicate with a light ocean breeze scent from the seaweed and a nutty undertone from the sesame oil.

Flavor-wise, this one was all about subtle, comforting umami. The broth tasted clean and softly savory with a pleasant, briny kick from the seaweed. Ginger and white pepper notes came through on the finish, adding a gentle warmth. While decidedly less bold than the other two flavors, I found it satisfying in that classic ‘chicken noodle soup‘ way.

With toppings like sweet corn, jammy egg, and a pat of butter (trust me on this one), the Savory Ramen really shines. It‘s the variety I‘d reach for when craving something nourishing and restorative. One small quibble – I wish there was slightly more seaweed flavor, as it tended to get lost behind the salt and sesame. But overall, a solid everyday option.

How Does Momofuku Compare to Other Instant Noodles?

Of course, Momofuku isn‘t the only gourmet instant ramen on the market these days. To see how they stacked up, I did a side-by-side taste test with two other popular premium brands: Prima Taste (Laksa La Mian and Curry Wholegrain La Mian flavors) and Nongshim (Shin Ramyun Black).

Here‘s a quick rundown of my comparison:

Brand	Noodle Texture	Broth Flavor	Overall
Momofuku	Springy, chewy, fresh-tasting	Complex, nuanced, well-balanced	The clear winner for both noodles and broth. Tastes the most "restaurant-quality"
Prima Taste	Similar to Momofuku – good bounce and chew	Intense, aromatic, but can be a bit one-note and salty	Delicious, bold flavors but broth lacks nuance compared to Momofuku
Nongshim	Decent bite but not as springy as Momofuku	Spicy, meaty, but lacking depth	Satisfying heat but broth is less complex. Noodles are just okay

Momofuku was the unanimous winner in my house. While all of the brands offered tasty, much-higher-quality ramen than your standard grocery store options, Momofuku edged them out with its super fresh-tasting noodles and multilayered, balanced broths.

Are Momofuku Instant Noodles Worth the Hype?

So, after all that taste testing, would I recommend Momofuku instant noodles? In a word: absolutely.

For starters, the noodles alone are fantastic – chewy and bouncy with an almost fresh-made quality I haven‘t found in other instant brands. And the broths manage to pack an impressive amount of flavor and complexity into each sip. From the smoky-spicy Tingly Chili to the subtle oceany notes of the Savory Ramen, each variety had something unique to offer.

I also appreciate the attention to detail in Momofuku‘s ingredient lists, like using fried alliums, seaweed powder, and mushroom powder to build layers of flavor. Those toppings – while not strictly "necessary" – elevate the experience and make it feel more special.

Now, I do think there are a few potential downsides to consider. The most obvious is the price – at over $3 per serving, Momofuku instant noodles are definitely a splurge compared to your 50-cent supermarket ramen. They also require a bit more time and effort to prepare than your standard microwave cup of noodles. And while delicious, they‘re still a far cry from the transcendent bowls of ramen you‘d get at Momofuku Noodle Bar itself.

But for an instant noodle? I think Momofuku knocks it out of the park. These are the noodles I‘d reach for when I‘m craving a ‘treat yourself‘ moment – a gourmet alternative to my usual quick and easy meals. I‘m excited to see if Chang adds any new flavors to the lineup, as I‘d happily slurp my way through them all.

At the end of the day, only you can decide if Momofuku instant noodles are worth the splurge. If you‘re a ramen lover who appreciates superior ingredients and complex flavors, I‘d say give them a try. And hey, at just over $3 a pop, it‘s still cheaper than a plane ticket to New York for the real deal!

I hope you found this review helpful, fellow noodle slurpers. Have you tried Momofuku instant ramen? What did you think? What‘s YOUR favorite "gourmet" instant noodle brand? Share your thoughts in the comments below – I‘d love to swap ramen reccos with you!

Until next time, stay noodley.