Whether on the Internet or in a warehouse retailer, the process of browsing the aisle of instant noodles can be daunting. Among all the possibilities presenting themselves to you, which of the many instances of bulk ramen do you commit to? The decision depends on a weigh-off of cost, flavor, noodle quality and general versatility. Not everything is created equal in terms of bulk ramen and not necessarily the cheapest is the best deal.
This manual breaks the clutter to compare the popular bulk ramen brands against the actual bang your buck parameter. This is not only about the price per package, but also the satisfaction per bowl, the possibility of cooking something better, and the consistency of the product. You purist, flavor adventurer, or budget minimalist can find a perfect bulk buy in your pantry with us.
The Leaders of the Pack
The Do It All: Nissin Top Ramen
Nissin Top Ramen is a common staple in the West, which can be found in large quantities. Its noodles are fairly, and taste are pleasant, and its taste packs, especially Chicken and Soy Sauce, are mild and make an excellent base to doctor up. The beauty of this is that it is very predictable and has a neutral, canvas texture so that one can be quite sure of it tasting well with their own additions.
The Low End: Maruchan Instant Lunch
Provided that the ultimate objective is the minimum of all costs per calorie, Maruchan is frequently the victor. The bricks are smaller and the flavor packets are more basic but the price is impossible to beat. This is the classic bulk ramen to use when the budget is very tight, when they are feeding a large group of people, or when they are mainly going to be used as a noodle ingredient in other recipes (such as stir-fries) and they can discard the seasoning packet.
Measuring Your Bang-for-Buck priorities
Cost Per Serving Analysis
The simplest measure is out-and-out economics. Division of case cost by the number of servings in each package gives the price per package. Maruchan will win this category nearly always. But look at the size of the noodle blocks; some of the high-end brands are larger, so you get more food with that upcharge.
The “As-Is” Enjoyment Factor
To what extent does the ramen taste good, according to what the package claims? This is an important factor when you often eat it plain. NongShim Shin Ramyun and Sapporo Ichiban receive a very high score here, offering a highly satisfying meal right off the package which justifies their greater price to many consumers.
The Culinary Canvas Potential
Is the brand a viable starting point to your own productions? This is where neutral flavoured and textured noodles such as Nissin Top Ramen are useful. Their mild taste does not contest with any added flavorings and thus they offer the best value to creative cooks who only use the packet as a base.
Noodle Texture and Quality
The texture of the noodle, be it firm, chewier, or soft, has a significant influence on the experience of eating. Other brands such as NongShim and Sapporo Ichiban source better quality wheat and usually have a better mouthfeel that holds up in soup giving these brands better overall value to those who value texture over intense flavor.
Conclusion
The perfect bulk ramen brand to you is a subjective formula, depending on your taste and product usage habits. To the extreme low-end consumer, Maruchan is the king. To the spice lover who only wants different flavors, NongShim Shin Ramyun is worth a penny. To those with a well-rounded palate, Nissin Top Ramen is an impeccable canvas. And to the more gourmet lover, Sapporo Ichiban provides an excellent flavor experience. Taking into consideration these qualitative factors and the cost, you can be sure that you have chosen the bulk ramen which brings just the best bang to your buck.
