Maruchan Oriental Flavor Ramen

November 14, 2008 | Reviewer: Abi

Photo of Maruchan Oriental Flavor Ramen Price: 29¢
Serving: 1/2 block noodles + seasoning, 1.5oz. + water
Reality: 1 block of noodles + seasoning, 3oz. + water
Calories per package: 380
Fat: 22%, 14g
Saturated Fat: 36%, 7g
Trans Fat: 0%, 0g
Cholesterol: 0%, 0mg
Sodium: 74%, 1780mg
Protein: 10g
Carbohydrates: 18%, 52g
Fiber: 8%, 2g
Sugar: 0g
Weight Watchers Points: 4 per serving
Weight Watchers Points: 8 per package

Maruchan says: Nothing, which is too bad because I spent way too long clicking around their Japanese-only website.

Abi says: Ramen is a divisive topic, with strong feelings on both sides. I am a ramen lover and have rated this flavor of ramen five stars. My partner could live a lifetime without ramen, a decision that I don’t understand. The traditional flavors for American ramen range from one meat variety to another, with beef (red), chicken (orange), creamy chicken (yellow) and shrimp (pink) being the animal-based flavors I most often see at the supermarket. While each of these has a place (a fond childhood lunch was chicken ramen with chunks of hotdog), my favorite flavor in adulthood is definitely Oriental.

Why Oriental, the least descriptive and potentially most offensive flavor-name ever invented? Probably because it tastes least like I’m sucking on a bullion cube. I’m the same way when I’m ill: vegetable broth is awesome, chicken broth is not acceptable. Also not acceptable is the amount of sodium in these little packets. Ramen is a sometimes treat, not an everyday food.

While writing up the nutritional information for this item I was all ‘Hmmm, that’s some fat. But hey, trans fat free! And cholesterol free! Yeah’ and then I got to the sodium and realized that there would be no exclamations of pleasant surprise. Yes, if one eats the entirety of that sodium packet, that equals 3/4 of an adults daily sodium intake. But I don’t drink the ramen broth. Because it is too salty.

The flavor of Oriental ramen is the very definition of savory. It strikes the palate with such a strong sensation of umami. Because that’s all it is: pure umami. No chicken or beef or shrimp to confuse the tongue, just the zing of MSG, ah.

[Looking for some reviews of real ramen? Check out Ramen Ramen Ramen and Ramen Lovers. - Editrix]

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comments

4 Responses to “Maruchan Oriental Flavor Ramen”

Great Value Instant Beef Flavored Ramen Noodles : Heat Eat Review : We Review TV Dinners, Frozen Meals, and Microwavable Foods on November 30th, 2008

[...] it until just now. Then I realized that Wal-Mart ramen only comes in Beef and Chicken and I prefer Oriental Flavor Ramen. However, in these belt-tightening times (money wise, not actual belt-wise, I hate wearing belts – [...]
scaryice on June 1st, 2009

Oriental is definitely good because it’s different than the rest, like you mentioned. But I find that the best tasting Maruchan flavor is roast beef. Not regular beef (which I don’t like), but roast beef. I dunno what the different is, but it’s much better.
Danielle on October 25th, 2009

for years , as long as i’ve been an avid consumer of ramen , it has bothered me to no end that people drain the “water” off of their ramen. IT’S NOODLE SOUP. (soup being the key word…) the ‘water’ is the broth. where all the sodium filled flavour is. when people complain that their ramen noodles have no flavour …it may be because it’s been poured down the drain. to keep my comment relevant , the oriental flavour is one of my favourites , when spruced up with some citrus and seasonings – it can be kind of bland on it’s own.
Clark Bullen on January 23rd, 2010

If you like Ramen, you’ll love this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGKDIJnnFME