Trader Joe’s Peanut Satay Noodles and Sauce

September 18, 2006 | Reviewer: Abi

Trader Joe's Peanut Satay Noodles and Sauce

Price: $1.99
Serving: 1/2 package, 5.8 oz.
Calories: 300
Fat: 23%, 15g
Sodium: 21%, 500mg
Protein: 7g
Carbs: 12%, 35sg
Fiber: 4%, 1g

for taste
for horrible nutritional value

Trader Joe says: Trader Ming’s noodle boxes were inspired by the noodle carts on the streets of Bangkok, Thailand. In Bangkok, people enjoy all kind of wonderful fods from street vendors. In a way, the streets are really just one big open air cafe. We have imported three great flavors from Thailand and now you have an easy way to eat these noodle dishes.

Trader Joe's Peanut Satay Noodles and Sauce

Abi says: While all you vegans out there may be hip-hip-hooraying for Trader Joe’s three new ’soba in sauce’ offerings, the rest of the noodle-eating public should do without these dishes. Sure, the sauce is edible, they cook up in two minutes, and no refrigerator or freezer is required. Unfortunately, you’re spending $1.99 on some pretty mediocre noodles in sauce. I’d eat this meal in desperation, but knowing that instead of consuming a box, I could eat a Lean Cuisine and a Dove Dark Chocolate Bar, I’d go with the chocolate-including option. If that doesn’t convince you, then think about the pool of oil that I encountered at the bottom of my noodle box. Ew.

Stay tuned for reviews of the Kung Po noodles and Pad Thai, coming Thursday and Friday. As of writing this review I haven’t tried those meals. Who knows, they may be insanely delicious.

comments

24 Responses to “Trader Joe’s Peanut Satay Noodles and Sauce”

Marvo on September 19th, 2006

Well at least they come in a cool box.
smash on September 19th, 2006

I ate one of their other boxed noodle dishes, pad thai, and it was totally disgusting. I’m so disappointed. I guess I should stick with their delicious indian food instead.
Heather on September 19th, 2006

Oy! What must you think of us vegans and our low standards, Abi? I gotta stick up for my peeps. Just because we don’t eat meat or animal products doesn’t mean we are completely devoid of tastebuds. I, for one, wouldn’t have even considered eating this product. Just cause it’s vegan doesn’t mean I’ll pounce. Unless, of course, the choice is between say, something like this product, and that nasty pretzely-hot dog thing I tried. But only then.
Georgia on September 19th, 2006

The peanut on was horrid, I must agree, but as I type this I’m eating the Kung Po… The flavor is… better…
Abi Jones on September 19th, 2006

It was really easy to be vegan when I was at home and cooking a meal of my own. I could eat all sorts of great things. The trouble came when a) I wanted cheese, and b) I needed a convenience item or two.

So, it isn’t so much that vegans have poor taste, but that manufacturers throw the label ‘vegan’ on something and think that makes up for horrid nutrional values or bland flavors.
YS on December 10th, 2006

I liked the Satay and Kung Pao ones a lot. I haven’t tried the Pad Thai flavor yet. I’m actually rather pleased by the ingredients and the taste. First of all, most easy-to-prepare foods usually have a ton of odd ingredients with chemical names, but the TJ’s noodle boxes consist of relatively simple ingredients like peanut, soybean oil, corn starch, red chili, pineapple, etc. I didn’t realize they were vegan until after I purchased them, and if I were still vegan, these would definitely be a staple in my pantry. The noodles’ texture wasn’t the greatest, though.

Being East Asian, I would like to think that I am generally more critical of things called Kung Pao, but all in all, I would rate this product positively.
Bett on January 29th, 2007

Seriously, folks, from a traveling vegan - these aren’t too bad, given my time and space constraints and the quality of some of my other choices. One’s standards are wrought from the available options, at least if one is realistic.

Suggestion for improvement: I throw a baggie of peanuts and one of a mix of Trader Joe’s frozen broccoli and corn in my little freezable lunch cooler (the one that says it’s like a little portable fridge from Bed Bath and Beyond) and when I open up the noodle box I throw those in on top along with a handful of peanuts. I pour the sauce over all of that, then nuke the whole thing for an extra 30 seconds, and it tastes a lot better. As for the pool of sauce at the bottom, well, just leave it on the bottom. There’s so much oil in food that you don’t see, that I think freaking out about a little that you do see is unrealistic. At least in this case it drains out and doesn’t end up in you.

Remember, I’m speaking from the perspective of someone who is travelling carrying tons of heavy textbooks plus lunch and dinner, including a big salad to split between the two meals, and trying to keep it light. If you want expensive food that sucks and contains buckets of oil, try some of the vegan options from the pub/cafeteria/”health food” bar at my school.

By the way, I believe the parent product for this is Kame’s version of the same thing. Ingredients are almost the same, according to the ingredients for the Kame version on the Amazon website.

Cheers!

Bett
Tim on February 20th, 2007

I use these as the base for a full meal by adding:
1. any combination of any vegetable around, esp bok choy, garlic etc.
2. Add Tofu or peanuts..

This evens out the fat content, and is a delicious full meal grains, vegetables, and non-animal flesh protein…..Yum.
Tim
Mr.Joshua on February 27th, 2007

That’s why there are millions of food choices, ’cause we all like different things.
I think you are W A A A A Y off base with your assessment of these little boxes. I’ve tried them all since they were placed in the Trader Joe’s Fearless flyer. I think the Satay(peanut) is awesome with the Pad Thai in second.
oh yeah, one more thing. I’m a devout hard core carnivore with occasional vegetable tendencies.
j'aime on March 5th, 2007

I couldn’t finish the Satay. It was pretty gross and bland..and just processed-tasting. I wished there were some sort of chunks…veggies, tofu, something. Nothing weird in there? what’s DL-A-Tocopherol? I concede that it’s cheap and doesn’t need refrigeration..but if i want something cheap and bad for me, Ramen beats this stuff for taste.
AL on March 20th, 2007

Let’s see…..reasonable amount of saturated fat and calories…..taste is a matter of choice….I like the taste…..high in protein…..no holesterol…satisfying…..cheap (compared to Lean Cuisine and a Dove Bar)….It’s hard enough to find food to eat when your at work that is not high in fat and choloesterol. These are extremely easy to make and you don’t use any plates. I see what people eat at work, It’s either food that will stop your heart or rabbit food. Look around….for those who count calories….this is a very good bet.
Abi Jones on March 20th, 2007

I have to address the most egregious comment here first.

AL - This meal is a horrible bet for people who are on diets. This only has a reasonable amount of fat if you eat half of the box. I don’t think anyone out there is just eating half of the box. And this is definitely not high in protein, considering each 300 calorie serving. Stay away if you’re looking to lose weight.

YS - Noodle texture is always an issue. And when you’re eating a product with such stark ingredients, both of them have to be really high quality to make a positive impression.

Brett - You’re right, this meal would be considerably better with some broccoli and peanuts. My mouth is watering just reading about your additions. I moved to Texas as a vegetarian and it was definitely a difficult period in my life.

Tim - Your ideas area also great.

Mr. Joshua - Thanks for adding your comments, it is always good to know if I’m way out in left field.

j’aime - Your comment wins. Yes, yes, yes.
JT on March 24th, 2007

Somebody out there is eating the SATAY noodles, because Trader Joes can’t keep it on the shelf, and they tell me the manufacturer can’t keep up with the demand…. So I guess I’m weird , but I like the flavor A LOT, and am one of the few who thinks its great. GO out a grab a box, time to chew!
Bengt on April 15th, 2007

This stuff ROCKS! I have 15 boxes in the pantry now. The peanut sauce is true to the satay flavor in Bangkok (aroy - delicious in Thai), and it doesn’t get any easier to prepare. The nay-sayers are weenie cry-babies.
Bengt on April 15th, 2007

I think this would be even better to put some nice grilled chicken breast in there, to be like a chicken satay with noodles. Excellent!
JAN on May 4th, 2007

TO MAKE THE PEANUT SATAY NOODLE DISH TASTIER, YOU CAN MIX THE NOODLES TOGETHER WITH THE TRADER JOES GLAZED CARROTS PREPARED AS DIRECTED, ADD CHOPPED CILANTRO, SLICED GREEN ONIONS AND SOME PEANUTS. FOR MORE EXCITEMENT, YOU CAN SERVE IT IN THE CHINESE STYLE CONTAINER AND EAT WITH CHOPSTICKS.
nomad on May 24th, 2007

j’aime, DL-A-Tocopherol is Vitamin E.

Personally, I’m pleasantly surprised by the noodles. I have found that the noodles are better the day after it’s prepared (i.e. when I eat the other half). Also, I add veggies and a little meat to complete the meal.

Much better than packaged ramen, which is just noodles in a salt bath IMO.
HM on July 9th, 2007

FWIW, I separate the noodles in a sieve whilst rinsing them with water, then return them to the cardboard box and pour the sauce over them before “cooking” in the microwave. Add Sriracha sauce to perk up the spiciness. Bachelor nirvana.
AWall on September 11th, 2007

Well I seriously have to disagree with this review. I love these things. They’re cheap, not too bad for you, delicious, and easy. I’m in high school and can literally make this during passing period and have the only good food in the cafeteria (sodexho… *shudder*). It could stand to have some meat in it, though.

Anyway just so everyone knows, the average adult burns 1500 kcalories a day if they just stayed in bed all day! Teenagers and young adults are more. So you really shouldnt worry about this, especially if you aren’t eating it three times a day.
IB on March 9th, 2008

Is it possible to heat/cook this without the use of a microwave? If so, how? Thanks.
IB on March 10th, 2008

Never mind. Just threw the sauce and noodles in a sauce pan (with nothing extra) and heated it up. It did taste good, but everyone is right…you do need to add something to it. So, I added broccoli and carrots. However, peanuts would have made it twice as good. I love Thai noodles with peanut sauce and peanuts.
Cher on March 16th, 2008

These noodles are good and inexpensive! I also love that they’re vegan. That’s great!
amber on March 26th, 2008

oh my goodness. I don’t know what you’re talking about, honestly, because I find these noodles DELICIOUS. I mean, yeah everyone can have their own opinion, but I just finished a box of these noodles like 1 minute ago and man. so good. and I dont think that was a pool of oil I think it was just excess peanut sauce. which is pretty bomb, if you ask me.
sheila on May 4th, 2008

i LOVE the peanut satay noodles!! they are the best! the other 2 flavours are nasty tho. i love these peanuts so much i want to move back to virginia just because they have a trader joe’s. i moved to florida. no trader joe’s. i miss the peanut satay noodles so bad. i want to have my mom send me a box of like 30 of them. does anyone have a recipe that i could make that tastes just like it? cuz i’d rather make it fresh and plus i’d add less salt. but yah, they are delicious. you are crazy if you don’t like them. they are my 2nd favourite dish on the planet and it isn’t from a restaurant, just 2 bucks.my other fave dish is also asian, it’s lemongrass chili tofu. but that costs me like $11 from a restaurant, also back in va. and no, i’m not asian. i just love thai food.