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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
If you want the short answer: the Sapporo Ichiban Chicken 24-pack is the safest bet for most people, and the Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black 16-pack is the one to grab if you want a deeper, richer broth. Everything below sorts nine real pantry options by flavor, noodle texture, broth style, and how many bowls you actually get per box — so you can pick the right one without guessing.
I’m Min — the founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Some packs are light chicken sippers, others are fiery Korean heat bombs, and a few are stir-fry noodles you drain and toss in sauce instead of soup. This breakdown of the best asian ramen compares broth type, noodle thickness, spice level, and pack size side by side.
Our Picks at a Glance
![[SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Chicken Flavor (24 Pack)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51lJmub-EiS.jpg)
How To Choose The Best Asian Ramen
First-time buyers often assume all instant ramen is the same product. It isn’t. A Japanese chicken noodle and a Korean beef bone broth noodle are as different as two soups get, and the pack count on the box changes how you store and use them. Here is what actually decides whether you will love what you bought.
Soup Or Stir-Fry — Pick Your Style First
Some packs are built as soup: you boil the noodles, keep the water, and stir in a seasoning packet to make a broth. Others, like Mi Goreng style noodles, are stir-fry: you boil, drain the water completely, then toss the noodles in sauce and seasoning oil. Both are good, but they are not interchangeable. If you want a warm bowl of broth on a cold night, buy a soup pack. If you want saucy, savory noodles you can top with a fried egg, buy a stir-fry pack.
Noodle Texture Decides Repeat Buying
Noodle texture is the single biggest reason buyers reorder the same brand. Thin noodles cook fast but can go soggy if you walk away. Thick, chewy noodles hold their bite in hot broth and survive a few extra minutes on the stove. Air-dried and never-fried noodles tend to stay firmer than standard fried instant noodles, which is why so many reviewers mention texture right alongside taste.
Match Spice To The People Eating
Heat level is the other big fork in the road. Mild packs suit kids, shared meals, and anyone who wants savory without burn. Spicy Korean packs run hot, but almost all of them ship the heat as a separate packet — so you can use half, taste, and add more. If you are feeding a mixed household, a variety pack with different spice levels solves the problem in one box.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Pack Count | Broth / Style | Spice Level | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavor★ Best Overall | Everyday light chicken bowls | 24 pack | Chicken soup | Mild | Amazon |
| Mi Sedaap Mi GorengBest Value | Quick saucy stir-fry noodles | 30 pack | Stir-fry (drained) | Mild to medium | Amazon |
| OTOKI Jin Ramen MildTop Performer | Mild Korean beef bone broth | 18 pack | Beef bone broth soup | Mild | Amazon |
| ICHIRAN Take-Home Kit | Restaurant-style tonkotsu at home | 3 count | Pork bone broth soup | Medium | Amazon |
| Sapporo Ichiban Tonkotsu | Creamy pork-style broth lovers | 24 pack | Tonkotsu soup | Mild | Amazon |
| Samyang Hot Chicken Variety | Heat seekers and flavor sampling | 11 pack | Multiple (soup and stir-fry) | Hot | Amazon |
| Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black | Rich spicy beef bone broth | 16 pack | Beef bone broth soup | Medium to hot | Amazon |
| FUDOBOX Variety Pack | Gift boxes and brand sampling | 15 pack | Assorted | Varies by pack | Amazon |
| Indomie Mi Goreng | Stocking a big pantry | 60 pack | Stir-fry (drained) | Adjustable | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Chicken Flavor (24 Pack)
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 850+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The chicken bowl that tastes like a real Japanese bowl, not a salt lick.
This 24-pack is the box that quietly empties over a winter. Each serving is a 3.5 oz (99.2 g) block of thin Japanese-style noodles with a chicken-flavored soup base, and you get 24 of them. That is the whole pitch — a light, savory, not-too-salty bowl you can make in three minutes and not regret an hour later.
The reason people keep rebuying this specific box is the balance. The chicken broth reads clean rather than heavy, which makes it easy to eat on a sick day or a late night without feeling weighed down. The noodles are also sturdier than the price suggests — they hold their bite and don’t collapse into paste if you leave them a minute too long. A lot of people treat it as a base and start building: sliced meat stirred in during cooking, a soft egg on top, whatever is in the fridge.
Here is the honest catch: the packet is high in sodium, so the move is to use half the seasoning and taste before adding the rest. And 24 pouches take up real cabinet space, so if you are tight on pantry room, plan where it lands first. Compared to the ICHIRAN 3-count kit, this is the everyday house noodle — you get 24 bowls instead of 3, but not the restaurant-style pork broth delivery ICHIRAN chases.
Best overall for most kitchens: a 24-pack of light, savory chicken ramen that stays springy and takes whatever you throw in the pot.
The strengths
- Not-too-salty chicken broth that reads clean, not heavy
- Noodles hold their texture instead of going soggy quickly
- 24 servings per box, so it lasts a full season of late-night bowls
- Takes add-ins well — meat, egg, veggies, all of it
The trade-offs
- Seasoning packet runs high in sodium — use half to start
- A 24-pack needs real shelf or cabinet space
- Mild chicken profile only; if you want heat, this is not the box
Grab this if: you want a dependable, light chicken ramen to keep in the pantry and don’t need spice.
Pass if: you want a big savory pork or beef broth bowl or a stir-fry — the Samyang and Mi Sedaap picks below are the better forks.
2. Mi Sedaap Mi Goreng Instant Stir Fry Noodles (30 Pack)
Thirty saucy, savory stir-fry noodles for the nights you want something you have to actually toss in a pan.
This is the pack for people who want the saucy Southeast Asian style rather than a clear broth. Mi Goreng means fried noodles: you boil the block for a few minutes, drain the water completely, then stir-fry the noodles with the seasoning and oil packets for another minute or two. The result is a glossy, deeply seasoned bowl that tastes nothing like instant chicken soup — and the whole pack is Halal certified.
What wins buyers over is the flavor — that blend of traditional spices and seasonings gives this a rich, savory kick rather than a one-note salty taste. It also lands simple enough that kids can make it themselves, which is a big reason it gets reordered in households with teens or after-school appetites. People top it with a fried egg or leftover protein and call it dinner.
The reality check: this is not a soup. If you want broth, buy the Sapporo Ichiban or Shin Ramyun instead. And a 30-count box is a commitment, so budget the cupboard space. Compared to the ICHIRAN 3-count kit, you get thirty bowls instead of three — but a stir-fry, not a pork bone soup.
Where it shines: Flavor leads the way, with the saucy, savory seasoning the standout — it is why people call it their drink-and-share favorite.
Where it fits: Family kitchens that want a fast, saucy, no-broth noodle that even the kids can make.
This one beats the rest for: cheap, saucy stir-fry noodles with real seasoning depth in a 30-count box.
skip it if: you are set on soup — grab a broth pack instead.
3. OTOKI Jin Ramen Mild Korean Instant Ramen (18 Pack)
Korean beef bone broth that simmers thirteen hours, then lands mild enough for the kids.
The head-turner here is the broth: beef bones slow-simmered for 13 hours, which is the kind of step you do not expect from a packet noodle. You get 18 individual servings at 4.23 oz each, ready in about four minutes. Thick, springy Korean noodles hold their texture in hot broth, which is exactly what you need for a beef bone base this rich.
The flavor soft-sells itself. It is savory and gentle rather than fiery, so it works for a mixed table — plenty of buyers make it for the whole family, kids included, and load it up with eggs, dumplings, or vegetables for variety. It reads as a comfort bowl, not a challenge. Compared to the Shin Ramyun Black 16-pack below, this runs the milder side of Korean ramen — same savory lane, less kick.
Flavor notes
- Beef bone broth base, smooth and savory rather than sharp
- Thick, firm noodles that hold their bite in the hot broth
- 18 servings per box, all individually wrapped
One thing to know: this is a stovetop noodle, not a microwave one. Buyers report they get the best results cooking it on the stove, so if you want a 60-second microwave lunch, look elsewhere. Otherwise, this is the most family-friendly Korean pick in the lineup.
Buy it for: a mild, rich Korean beef bone broth that the whole family can eat — kids included.
Hold off if: you want microwave simplicity or serious heat.
4. Official ICHIRAN Take-Home Ramen Kit (Pork Bone Broth, 3 Count)
The restaurant bowl shipped home — three servings of real tonkotsu, no plane ticket required.
This is the pick for the person who has eaten at a tonkotsu counter and wants that same bowl at home. You get three servings per box, each with a liquid soup concentrate, a pack of dried straight noodles, and a pack of red pepper seasoning — enough for three real bowls. The kit is imported from Japan and built around the same pork bone broth style the restaurant is known for.
The noodles are the standout: dried rather than fried, thin, straight, and firm — designed to release less starch into the water, so the broth stays clean instead of going cloudy. The soup concentrate carries the umami weight, and the togarashi pepper pack lets you dial heat to taste. That is the trade-off worth knowing: the pack is small, so this is a treat box, not a pantry staple.
Where it loses a step is at the cupboard maths. Compared with the Sapporo Ichiban 24-pack, you get three bowls here versus twenty-four — a big gap in servings. The pork bone broth depth is higher, though, so most people treat this as a weekend or special-occasion pick and keep a larger pack as the everyday noodle. Sodium is on the higher side too, so 2½ cups of water instead of 2 is a common adjustment to soften the salt edge.
What earns its spot
- Pork bone broth concentrate made from ICHIRAN’s top secret recipe
- Dried, never-fried straight noodles that stay firm and slurp cleanly
- Includes 3 noodle packs, 3 liquid soup bases, and 3 spice packs
- Imported directly from Japan — the restaurant experience, boxed
What to weigh first
- Only 3 servings per box — much smaller yield than the 24- and 30-count picks
- Broth runs salty if you use the full 2 cups — go 2½
- The red pepper pack is medium heat, not fiery
Perfect for the tonkotsu purist who wants the restaurant bowl at home and is fine keeping it as an occasional treat.
Not the pick if: you want a big everyday pack — a larger noodle box below is the smarter pantry staple.
5. [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Tonkotsu Flavor (24 Pack)
Creamy pork-style broth in a twenty-four-pack — the tonkotsu shortcut for a pantry shelf.
If ICHIRAN is the restaurant ticket, this is the everyday version of that tonkotsu craving. Sapporo Ichiban’s tonkotsu flavor builds a milky chicken-and-pork broth with roasted leeks, garlic, spices, and sesame seeds, then pairs it with the brand’s springy noodles. You get 24 pouches, each ready in three to four minutes, so a bowl of creamy, savory broth is always three minutes away.
The broth does the heavy lifting. It reads rich and traditional — like the pork tonkotsu you would find in Fukuoka — without needing a 13-hour simmer or a restaurant visit. Buyers add shrimp, nori, tahini, or a seven-minute egg and honestly describe it as filling. The other thing people notice: the noodles do not go mushy fast, so this is a forgiving pack if you get distracted mid-boil.
The honest limit is the seasoning packet. Sodium runs high per serving, so half a packet is the smarter first move, then taste and adjust. The ingredient list also draws mixed notes, mostly around unidentified spices in the blend. Compared with the ICHIRAN 3-count kit, you get 24 bowls instead of three, and a creamy pork-style broth instead of the liquid concentrate version.
The broth is the draw: milky, savory pork-and-chicken base with leeks and sesame — the reason people call it their favorite flavor.
The texture is the bonus: sturdy noodles that hold up to a loaded bowl of add-ins.
Reach for this when you want creamy pork-style broth in a big everyday pack without the imported premium price feel.
Look elsewhere if: you need low sodium out of the packet — the seasoning runs salty and wants a half-packet start.
6. Samyang Spicy Hot Chicken Ramen 11 Flavor Variety Pack
Eleven Buldak flavors in one box, chopsticks included — a heat tour without the commitment.
This box is for anyone who has seen Buldak noodles everywhere and wants to taste each flavor before committing to a full pack of one. You get 11 different flavors — Original, 2X Spicy, Tom Yum, Cheese, Carbonara, Yakisoba, Cream Carbonara, Quattro Cheese, Rosé, Jjajang, and Habanero Lime — plus 11 pairs of bamboo chopsticks so you can eat each one properly.
You control the burn because every pack ships the spicy sauce separately. Using half the sauce packet is a common move for people who want flavor without the heat. That adjustability makes it a smart household pick even if not everyone is a chili-head, and it also makes an easy gift — college care package, sibling, coworker, anyone who likes a challenge on a Tuesday night.
The catch is prep effort: Buldak noodles take a couple of extra steps compared with a plain soup pack — boil, drain, then stir in the sauce — so it is not a one-pot dump-and-wait job. And if you want a mild bowl, do not buy a spicy variety pack. Compared to the Sapporo Ichiban chicken 24-pack, you get 11 bowls instead of 24, but a heat range from mild-cheese to 2X Spicy instead of one mild profile.
Why it earns its spot
- 11 different Buldak flavors — sample across the whole spicy line in one box
- Includes 11 pairs of bamboo chopsticks, one per pack
- Sauce packets separate, so heat is yours to set
- Makes a gift-ready care package for ramen fans
Where it stops short
- All flavors run spicy — this is not a mild pick
- Requires the multi-step sauce method, not a one-pot boil
- Only 11 bowls total, one per flavor
Best for the heat sampler who wants to try the whole Buldak range and loves a spicy bowl.
Look elsewhere if: anyone in the house wants mild noodles — you are paying for heat here.
7. Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black Noodles (16 Pack)
The one that tastes closest to a ramen shop counter — rich beef bone broth with a measured kick.
Shin Ramyun Black is the premium version of the Shin line, and the difference is in the broth: a rich beef bone base that carries a savory depth the everyday instant packet does not reach. You get 16 packs at 4.58 oz each, and the noodles run thick and chewy, holding texture well in hot broth.
What wins people over is the balance — this reads as restaurant-quality rather than packet-quality. The heat is noticeable but not punishing, so it is spicy without being a dare. Air-dried noodles keep their bite, and the separate dehydrated vegetable pack adds a real garnish step that most cheap noodles skip. The seasoning packet is split so you can build the bowl your way.
The trade-off is honest: sodium runs high per serving, and a few buyers wish it came without sesame for allergy reasons — worth checking the allergen line before buying if that matters to you. Compared with the OTOKI Jin mild above, this runs noticeably hotter and deeper; compared with the Sapporo Ichiban tonkotsu, the broth is beef-and-spice rather than milky pork.
The broth depth is the headline: beef bone base with a spice kick that lands measured, not extreme.
Prep is flexible: microwavable, though stovetop gets the most out of the noodles.
Buy it for: rich beef bone broth and a real Korean spice kick that stays balanced rather than blistering.
pass on it if: you need low-sodium or sesame-free — check the allergen line first.
8. FUDOBOX Asian Instant Ramen Noodles Variety Pack (15 Pack)
Fifteen assorted noodles, a set of chopsticks, and a friend who will thank you.
This box solves the problem of not knowing which noodle to buy — for yourself or as a gift. You get 15 different packs from a mix of Asian brands, plus a FUDOBOX chopstick and some cookies, designed to be sampled rather than stocked. Thick, thin, spicy, mild, sweet, sour, wet, or dry — the whole range is represented in one carton, and it works just as well as a care package for a college student or a gift for a noodle fan.
The obvious strength is variety: no two packs are the same, so you get to run your own taste test and find what you actually like before committing to a full case. The prep is simple — most of the packs are minutes-in-water instant noodles — and it comes with enough extras to feel like a treat rather than a pantry refill.
What to expect honestly: because it is an assorted box across brands, flavor varies pack to pack — some noodles land great, some are just okay, and that is the nature of a sample set. If you already know exactly which flavor you love, buy a full pack of that one instead. Compared with a single-flavor 24-pack like Sapporo Ichiban, you get 15 bowls of variety, not 24 bowls of a known favorite.
The case
Great as a sampling starter set, a dorm care package, or a gift for someone who loves trying new noodles. The variety is the point — it is the whole reason to buy this box over a single-flavor pack.
Ideal as a gift or a taste-test — 15 unknown packs to work through and pick favorites from.
Not the pick if: you already know your one favorite noodle — a single-flavor case is the smarter buy.
9. Indomie Mi Goreng Instant Stir Fry Noodles (60 Pack)
Sixty stir-fry packs, one cabinet, and a fried egg away from the best late-night bowl in the house.
This is the box for households that eat stir-fry noodles often enough to buy in bulk. You get sixty individually wrapped packets of Indomie Mi Goreng, each one 400 calories per serving and Halal certified (prepared according to Islamic dietary law). They are built for the drain-and-stir-fry method: boil three minutes, drain, empty the condiments into a cup, stir-fry quickly to coat the noodles, eat. Boil three minutes, drain, stir-fry with the condiments, and eat.
The pull is the flavor-to-effort ratio. The seasoning is savory and saucy rather than soupy, and the spice level is yours to set — the flavor packs let you choose how much heat to add, so it works for people who want a little and people who want a lot. It also takes add-ins beautifully — a poached egg, frozen vegetables, aromatics — so it doubles as a real dinner rather than a snack.
Two notes. First, the allergen line is not light — it flags preservatives, sesame, sesame oil, soy, soybean, and wheat, so check that before buying if any of those matter to you. Second, the calorie count is 400 per pack, which is high enough that this works best as a meal, not a between-meals nibble. Compared with the Mi Sedaap 30-pack above, you get 60 bowls instead of 30, in the same stir-fry style.
The wins
- 60 individual packets — months of noodles in one box
- Halal certified
- Adjustable spice via the flavor packs
- Takes a fried egg, frozen veg, or aromatics easily
The caveats
- Allergen line flags preservatives, sesame, sesame oil, soy, soybean, and wheat
- 400 calories per packet — a meal, not a snack
- 60 packs demand a real amount of shelf space
This is the one for: a household that has already decided they love stir-fry noodles and wants the bulk box.
Look elsewhere if: you have sesame or soy allergies, or you want a broth noodle.
Understanding the Specs
Broth Type — Soup vs Stir-Fry
Every pack here falls into one of two camps. Soup packs (Sapporo Ichiban, OTOKI Jin, ICHIRAN, Shin Ramyun) keep the cooking water and mix in a seasoning or concentrate to make a broth. Stir-fry packs (Mi Sedaap, Indomie) tell you to drain the water completely, then toss the noodles in sauce and seasoning oil — no broth at all. The distinction changes what you buy the noodles for. Soup is for a warming bowl on a cold night; stir-fry is for a saucy, savory plate you can top with a fried egg. If you are not sure which you want, that is the first decision to make.
Noodle Texture — Fried, Air-Dried, Never-Fried
How a noodle is dried decides whether it holds its bite. Standard fried instant noodles are the most common and cook fast, but they can go soft if you over-boil. Air-dried noodles (like the Nongshim Shin Black) tend to stay firmer with a cleaner bite. And the ICHIRAN kit uses dried, never-fried straight noodles — the maker notes they are formulated to release less starch into the cooking water, which keeps the broth smooth instead of cloudy. That difference is the reason some noodles survive a minute of distraction and some do not.
Pack Count — Stock vs Treat
The number on the box changes how you use the noodles, not just how long they last. A 3-count imported kit like ICHIRAN is a weekend treat — you make each bowl count. A 24- or 30-count pack is your everyday pantry noodle. A 60-count crate like the Indomie is a bulk buy you stop thinking about for months. Match the pack count to how often you actually eat noodles, and check the box for individual wrapping if you want to grab one at a time without opening the whole case.
Spice Level — Packet Control
Almost every spicy pack here separates the heat from the noodles — a spice packet, a sauce packet, or a red pepper blend that you add yourself. That means heat is adjustable even when the brand markets itself as fiery. The Samyang variety pack, for example, ships its hot sauce separately, and using half is a common move. Mild packs (OTOKI Jin, Sapporo Ichiban chicken) skip the heat game entirely. If you are feeding a mixed household, look for separate spice packets or a variety box with different heat levels, and taste as you build the bowl.
FAQ
Are instant Asian ramen noodles already cooked?
What is the difference between Mi Goreng and regular ramen?
How long do these instant noodle packs last in the pantry?
Can I make these noodles in a microwave?
Are any of these ramen noodles Halal?
How spicy is Korean ramen compared with Japanese ramen?
Is a bigger pack actually better value than a small imported kit?
What is the best way to add an egg or vegetables to instant ramen?
Do these Asian ramen packs contain sesame or soy?
Can I eat these noodles as a full meal rather than a snack?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most kitchens, the winner is the Sapporo Ichiban Chicken 24-pack — a clean, not-too-salty chicken broth, noodles that hold up, and twenty-four servings that get you through a whole season of late-night bowls. If you want a rich, spicy, restaurant-style beef bone broth instead, reach for the Nongshim Shin Ramyun Black 16-pack — it is the closest thing here to a ramen shop counter. And for a saucy stir-fry bowl you can top with a fried egg, the Mi Sedaap Mi Goreng 30-pack is the one to grab. Whichever style fits your table — light chicken, spicy beef, or saucy stir-fry — one of these nine will be your new default noodle.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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