See, if you give me the choice between a plate of steak and a bowl of quality instant noodles, I’ll go with the steak, because it would be silly of me not to. But the truth is, deep down inside, all I really want is the noodles instead. As a cup noodle aficionado, I consider it my job to discover and share unique cup noodle flavours with fellow enthusiasts. So without further ado, here’s what I’ve gathered!
Image credit: @natasham770501
Yes, there are legit rice cakes in this Ottogi Korean Rice Cake Ramen Bowl ($2.40). The rice cakes come in a separate packet placed atop a block of instant noodles. After softening the rice cakes and instant noodles in boiling water, drain the noodles and toss it in the spicy sauce. Fair warning, the sauce could very well give the famous Samyang a run for its money, so do remember to prepare a glass of cold water or milk on the side. Get this if you have a high spice tolerance and want your meal to be extra springy, courtesy of the chewy rice cakes.
Get it from:
Image credit: Shine Korea’s Website
It’s fascinating how many flavours cup noodles can come in, with another one of them being this Ottogi Jabchae Bowl ($2.90). If you aren’t already aware, jabchae is a salty sweet Korean dish consisting of stir-fried glass noodles tossed in vegetables. I’d encourage you to add in some meat, such as beef slices, to really bring out the flavour in your meal. The chewy vermicelli noodles are also fragrant from the addition of sesame oil.
Get it from:
Shine Korea
Address: 175 Bencoolen Street, #01-10/11, Burlington Square, Singapore 189649
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6238 8897
Website
Full list of outlets
With mala chains popping up all over Singapore, it’s safe to say that we are addicted to these numbing Sichuan spices. You can now easily satisfy your chilli cravings with MYOJO’s Mala Xiang Guo Bowl Noodles ($1.80). Do remember to drain the boiling water as these noodles are meant to be eaten dry. Empty out the sachet of special seasoning paste for that familiar kick of Sichuan spices.
Get it from:
Image credit: @rg428
The Maruchan Akai Kitsune Udon ($3.40) hides a tasty surprise within its packaging. Its largest garnish is, in fact, a giant slice of deep-fried tofu! The tofu is seasoned and hydrates nicely in the warm, soy-sauce flavoured broth. Despite tofu tasting rather bland, the battered tofu here is very savoury – it’ll almost feel as if you’re eating meat! The udon noodles are also chewy and thick, similar to fresh udon you’ll find in restaurants.
Get it from:
Fish Mart Sakuraya
Address: 80 Marine Parade Road, #B1-84D, Parkway Parade, Singapore 449269
Tel: 6345 4714
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 10pm
Website
Full list of outlets
Meidi-Ya Supermarket
Address: 177 River Valley Road, #B1-50, Liang Court Shopping Centre, Singapore 179030
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6339 1111
Website
Image credit: @liangcourt
With the mentaiko food craze descending upon us all, the MYOJO Ippeichan Instant Fried Noodle Mentaiko Flavor ($3.90) is one yakisoba you shouldn’t miss. Apart from the pork-based yakisoba sauce, the cup also comes with a packet of mentaiko mayonnaise and preserved pollock roe to stir into your noodles. The end result is a buttery, umami dish with a slightly spicy kick.
Get it from:
Meidi-Ya Supermarket
Address: 177 River Valley Road, #B1-50, Liang Court Shopping Centre, Singapore 179030
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6339 1111
Website
Image credit: @plaaradise
Similar to the ramen with deep-fried tofu in point six, the Maruchan Midori No Tanuki Soba ($3.40) comes with a large garnishing of tempura atop a block of greyish buckwheat noodles. The soup is seasoned with bonito shavings, making it very flavourful. The savoury tempura softens considerably upon soaking in hot water, falling apart and mixing into the noodles so you don’t have to bite into the tempura and slurp down the noodles separately, unlike with the deep-fried tofu.
Get it from:
Meidi-Ya Supermarket
Address: 177 River Valley Road, #B1-50, Liang Court Shopping Centre, Singapore 179030
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 6339 1111
Website
Image credit: @lina.khang
Calling all ma la fans! Let me direct your attention to the Samyang Fire Spicy Chicken Ramen Mala ($7 for four), which is bound to get you fanning your tongue in torturous bliss. The original Samyang chicken flavouring is present here, except now it comes with the addition of Sichuan peppercorn flavouring. The chewy instant noodles also come with a helping of mushrooms and carrots to add some variety. Unfortunately, you’ll most likely be unable to attain this as a cup noodle as the flavour is still relatively new.
If you can’t get enough of ma la, check out these ma la xiang guo spots!
Get it from:
Shine Korea
Address: 175 Bencoolen Street, #01-10/11, Burlington Square, Singapore 189649
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6238 8897
Website
Full list of outlets
While I can’t guarantee you’ll love all of them, I’m sure you’ll delight in the process of acquainting yourself with the flavours. If you aren’t feeling bold enough, pull a friend in with you and get #cupnoodleschallenge trending!
Featured image taken from Instagram user @liangcourt‘s post.
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