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In the not too distant past, instant ramen had a reputation for being overly-salty, budget-friendly dorm room fare. But thanks to a food trend focused on high-low pairings, the debut of several instant noodle-centric restaurants, a boom in interest for international cuisine, and viral TikTok recipes that showcase how to spiff-up packaged noodles, ramen is in the thick of a renaissance.
If you ask George Formaro, chef-partner of Orchestrate Hospitality in Des Moines, Iowa, it’s about time. “Ramen might start as a humble, convenient food, but it delivers quick comfort in the same way a bowl of boxed macaroni and cheese does. There’s a kind of magic in how a simple package can feel so satisfying, especially when you’re craving something warm and familiar.”
He’s so fond of ramen, in fact, that he tells us “ramen isn’t just food. It’s a passion, a story, and sometimes even a reason to get out of bed in the middle of the night. There are so many choices if you go to the right place!”
It’s clear we’ve entered the golden age of instant noodles. This increase in demand has led to a spike in supply, and you can now find ramen in a wide variety of spice levels, flavors, and brands. So how is a noodle-lover supposed to narrow things down? We called in a panel of pros to help us do just that.
Our Panel of Ramen-Rating Chefs
- George Formaro, chef-partner of Orchestrate Hospitality restaurants in Des Moines, Iowa
- Lauren Grant-Vose, recipe developer and founder of Zestful Kitchen in Minneapolis
- Sammy Mila, recipe developer, food stylist, and owner of Crème Bakery in Des Moines, Iowa
- Lawrence Weeks, executive chef and owner at North of Bourbon in Louisville, Kentucky
Qualities of the Best Instant Ramen
Whether they snack on ramen after a shift, feature it on the late-night snack menu at their restaurants, or develop soup recipes using the packaged noodles in the mix, our chefs have sampled a wide array of instant ramen brands. The following features make the best stand out from the crowd:
- The noodles are air-dried noodles rather than fried. All four of the chefs we polled agree that air-dried noodles deliver the best bite. “Most very affordable, super-quick instant ramens feature fried noodles,” explains Lauren Grant-Vose. “If you love them, keep enjoying them, but for a more nuanced ramen experience, I seek out air-dried noodles. They have a bouncier texture that I love!” Lawrence Weeks agrees, and jumps in to note that fried ramen noodles tend to “go from perfect to overcooked quickly.”
- They aren’t over-the-top spicy. A bit of heat is welcome, but when it becomes overwhelmingly spicy? “That’s a no-go for me,” Formaro says. Sammy Mila agrees, and notes that she’s looking for a snack—not a “Hot Ones”-style spicy food challenge.
- The flavor is balanced and savory. Whether the flavor is miso, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or soy, ramen is meant to be a salty, umami-filled experience. So Formaro says, “I steer clear of any brands that are too sweet,” which can happen since some brands include a fair amount of sugar in their formulas.
- They’re from a trusted brand. Mila admits that she gravitates towards instant ramen from brands that have been around the block; They have stood the test of time for a reason. She’s less likely to invest in the trendy releases because “I trust these established brands,” Mila says.
The Best Instant Ramen Brand, According to Chefs
Earning the gold medal from three out of four chefs, the best instant ramen brand on the market is NongShim’s Shin Black.
Target / Allrecipes
This classic instant ramen is affordable (clocking in at around $2.29 per two-serving package at supermarkets), widely available (including in bulk at Costco), and “nuanced and balanced in flavor,” Grant-Vose confirms. “You taste more than just MSG—which I love, but I want to taste more than just that. And this ramen features super chewy, bouncy noodles that hold their shape.”
Besides those springy air-dried noodles, the broth is what really makes this ramen shine, Mila adds. “The broth flavor is the main component I evaluate, and I think Shin Black really nails it in terms of complexity and mouthfeel.”
With garlic, ginger, anchovy, beef extract, and a packet of dehydrated vegetables to mix in if you like, Shin Black’s beef broth is as close to restaurant-quality ramen as you’ll find in the instant noodle market, the chefs agree. In fact, it’s so delicious that “this instant ramen that completely changed my view and is a constant in my cupboard,” Formaro says. “Even if I don’t use the entire spice packet (which can pack quite a punch), the ramen still has a ton of flavor. Just a little bit of that seasoning goes a long way, making it versatile and customizable.”
Two other brands are worthy of an honorable mention:
- Momofuku Noodles: These quick-cooking noodles from chef David Chang’s brand are available in five flavors: soy and scallion, spicy soy, tingly chili, sweet and spicy, and spicy chili. No matter which you choose, they’re also budget-friendly (at about $2.60 per package) and include “noodles with a fresh texture, due to the air-dried method,” Weeks says. The noodles themselves are made simply with flour, salt, and water, and are boldly flavored, he adds.
- Ichiran Instant Ramen: Inspired by the recipe featured on the menu at a New York City and Japanese restaurant icon, Ichiran is what Grant-Vose turns to “when I want restaurant-quality ramen, but still want to stay home.” Although it’s pricier, around $10 per package, it’s more than worth it to be able to slurp the rich, flavorful, deeply-complex broth, she says. Try it in vegan or pork tonkotsu varieties, and don’t skip the brand’s “original red spicy seasoning” that comes in a separate flavor packet.
Whether you stock up on Shin Black in bulk (psst…we spotted it recently at Costco), Momofuku, Ichiran, or stick with the tried-and-true brand you’ve relied on since you were enrolled in Psych 101, just know that the pros are right there with you.
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