Thai Kitchen Simply Asia Spicy Kung Pao

April 4, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi

Price: $3 at Giant
Serving size: 1 bowl, 8.5 ounces
Calories: 310
Fat: 5%
Sodium: 20%
Protein: 8 grams

They say: Discover the world of Asian flavors with Simpla Asia all natural noodle bowl. Our heat & serve bowl combines pre-cooked noodles with a savory Asian sauce, vegetables, and a delicious topping. Innovative technology seals in the fresh taste of authentic Asian noodles for a quick and satisfying meal ready in just 2 minutes. No boiling required.

Abi says: This meal did not taste good. Even before I put it in the microwave, I knew I wouldn’t be satisfied. Granted, I should give all meals a chance. And I was a little heartened by the look of the meal after I added the peanut topping, but I couldn’t really get over just how little went into the meal. I could have sworn that I had to open four packets just to eat. The noodles were fine, but the sauce was bland and the vegetables non-existent. Sadly, I spent the lunch hour looking longingly at people with salads from Cosi. I prefer High Noon and even McDonald’s. Really, you know it isn’t worth the effort when you’re staring at someone else’s salad from Cosi. What a waste of $3.00.

comments

7 Responses to “Thai Kitchen Simply Asia Spicy Kung Pao”

Dave on November 10th, 2006

I totally agree. This was bad enough that I *want* to leave a negative comment in hope that it will save some other poor soul.

I had a slightly different version — 11.6 oz “take out” package, 410 cal, 5g fat, 29% sodium, 16g protein — that boasts “soy protien.”

Remarkably, I suspect mine was worse than yours: you failed to mention the peculiar vinegar odor. A co-worker commented that he thought from the smell that I was eating hot german potato salad (heavily seasoned with vinegar). In retrospect, I think the sauce is what ruined this meal.

One a plus note, the “take out” container is a cute idea. And the folding fork a very nice thought.
Jason on January 18th, 2007

This site has been somewhat therapeutic for me, thanks for the other comments on this dish.

My wife bought this for me on a whim cause it was on sale and presented it to me on ‘leftover’ night after a late return from work. Only one way to describe this one - awful. Do yourself a favor and throw this one out (save the roasted peanuts for your ice cream though).

I have to agree with the other comments on this one. Simply Asia Kung Pao noodles have got to be the most abomidable atrocity on any grocer’s shelf. And while I can’t stop laughing at the other poster’s quote regarding this dish being confused with hot german potato salad, he is dead on. Even BEFORE you put the sauce on something doesn’t smell right. In fact, the Kung Pao sauce that makes this dish a Kung Pao is was sends this bomb down the dispoal.

Anyone from Simply Asia reading this board? Here is a suggestion - put it back on a slo boat to china. Ick!
Oooska on March 8th, 2007

You guys are bloody crazy. When prepaired correctly, these noodles kick ass. You need to follow the directions and use *VERY* little water. The noodles are already precooked, and the two minutes in the microwave are needed to soften them up slightly, and the sauce boiling does that. Using more water than needed thins out the kung pao sauce and leaves it bland. I have no idea what Jason was talking about in regards to a vinegar smell, as there is no vinegar in the ingredients.

Being a poor college student, these noodles are essential when I can’t stomach the thought of downing more ramen noodles and need to treat myself to something ‘nice’.
robin on March 26th, 2007

i became positively ADDICTED to this noodle bowl. only problem is…ITS REALLY 620 CALORIES-the one bowl has 2 SERVINGS in it. i read the label wrong in the beginning and thought it was only 310 calories. then i wondering why i wasnt losing any weight.

i personally loved this one and the teriyaki one-this was my favorite tho.i guess i like alot of vinegar
Unbathed on May 7th, 2007

De gustibus non est disputandum. I like the taste, others don’t, so whee - more for me!

620 calories, less than 10% fat, vegan, cooks quickly, and even, what with the various packets, some play value. I like some assembly being required, compared to opening a can and dumping it in a bowl.
Dustin Sullivan on March 20th, 2008

I love this dish.

It does smell kind of funny to me and my wife says it smells awful, but I think it tastes really good.
Doug on March 24th, 2008

The noodles taste good when the directions are followed, if you add too much water they will taste very bad. As to the vegetables being non-existent, its a shelf storage meal. Its the only one to date that actually even had vegetables in it.