The Best Instant Noodles to Satisfy Your Ramen Cravings

Instant happiness is a slurp away.

ramen instant noodle noodles mama a-sha asha taiwanese soup chewy soy spicy tom yum curry shin shim maruchan indomie mie goreng spicy soy sauce
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist

There is never a wrong time to eat instant noodles. Sure, it’s the optimal meal when you’re a broke college student or hungry and lazy at 2 am, but the shiny and crinkly packets have called to me throughout my life—regardless of the time of day, my age, or the amount of money in my bank account. Instant ramen’s wide appeal is the ease of which to make it and the surprisingly flavorful results that stem from a single packet or two of seasoning. 

If you’re as obsessed with instant noodles as I am (I’ve talked about instant ramen at length on Thrillist’s podcast, have written a handy guide on how to spruce them up at home, and have eaten more iterations of instant noodles than one probably should), but you’re over the styrofoam cups filled with dehydrated corn, peas, carrots, and bland chicken powder, then let me suggest some of my favorite instant ramens that capture the spirit of different noodle dishes from around the world. 

All these instant noodles can be purchased online, are non-perishable, and will sustain any noodle connoisseur who’s currently camping out at home. Your pantry and tastebuds will thank you.

Mama - Creamy Tom Yum

Mama is my go-to instant noodle brand because it’s what I grew up on. In Thailand, it isn’t surprising to have a meal made from Mama; sometimes the noodles are separated from the package and reinvented into an entirely new dish (see yum mama, a Thai noodle salad made from Mama noodles). Though all the flavors are nostalgic and delicious, my favorite has to be the Creamy Tom Yum flavor. It’s spicy, slightly thicker than typical Mama broth thanks to powdered coconut cream, and herbaceous due to the inclusion of makrut lime, lemongrass, and dried chiles. Though it’s spicy, the coconut feels cooling, resulting in a well-balanced and bright instant noodle that’s almost as good as your take-out tom yum. 

Price: $0.75 each at Bokksu Market 

Nongshim - Shin Ramen

The wonders and versatility of Shin ramen are not lost on me. For those who have never experienced the delight that is Shin Ramen, it’s spicy—enough to make my nose run a bit—and deeply savory in each bite. There are dehydrated slices of carrots, mushrooms, green onions, and chili flakes in each pack that blossom in hot water while the noodles are bouncy and chewy. To enhance this already wonderful instant ramen, throw a sheet of American cheese on a freshly made batch, watch it melt like a snuggly blanket over the noodles, and enjoy. The addition of boiled egg, scallions, kimchi, and sesame seeds help, too.

Price: $4.23 for a four-pack at Walmart

Indomie - Mi Goreng

Sometimes, when I don’t want to drink the sodium-rich broth at the bottom of a bowl of instant noodles, I’ll just make my noodles dry. Sure, that doesn’t make them any less salty, but it definitely changes the experience of eating noodles. Hailing from Indonesia and prevalent throughout Malaysia and Singapore, mi goreng is actually intended to be a dry fried noodle. Each pack comes with a soy sauce dressing, garlicky oil, and chili sauce. Sometimes, I fry an egg and gently lay it across the nest of noodles for a genuinely filling and delicious breakfast.

Price: $10.96 for a 10-pack on Amazon

Nissin Cup Noodle - Curry

Japanese curry is one of my favorite styles of curry. If you feel the same way, then get ready to buy a pack of these and instantaneously enjoy the wonders of instant curry ramen. The curry flavor of these Nissin Cup Noodles is so inviting and warm; it’s not spicy, but extremely aromatic and will definitely satisfy the Japanese curry craving you may have. I recommend throwing some shredded cheese on top for a curry cheese ramen and serving it with a side of chicken karaage or pork katsu. Preparation is as easy as any typical cup noodle—just add hot water and go.

Price: $11.38 for a six-pack on Amazon

Paldo - Jjajangmen

Some black bean instant noodles come with a powder pack, but Paldo’s version of jajangmyeon—Korean-style black bean noodles—contains a saucy, liquid black bean sauce to glaze over all the noodles. Packs are large and hearty, with a sauce that is subtly sweet, sticky, and rich. It’s not a restaurant-level black dish, but it is a non-perishable item that will satisfy any craving for black bean noodles; just julienne some cucumbers to sprinkle on top.

Price: $11.94 for a four-pack on Amazon

A-Sha - Knife Cut Sesame Oil Scallion

A-Sha, the Taiwanese instant noodle brand, has taken the world by storm. You can find their noodles in Costco and indulge in the variety of collaborations they have, which include adorable Sanrio noodles, Momofuku, and a partnership with BT21 that arrived last year. If a bouncy texture that tastes restaurant-level is what you're looking for in an instant noodle, you have to try A-Sha. My particular favorite are the crinkly knife cut noodles, which comes with a mild but delicious sesame oil and scallion sauce that pairs perfectly with a heaping scoop of chili crisp

Price: $13.99 got s five-pack on A-Sha

Maggi - Masala

I’m told that Maggi masala noodles are a staple in every Indian household, but perhaps that should change to every household. These tangles of noodles—which can be served in varying levels of soupy consistency, depending on one's preference—contain the enticing perfumes of cardamom, coriander, clove, nutmeg, fenugreek, cumin, and more essential spices that make for a well-seasoned anytime snack. To be honest, Maggi seasoning sauce is a staple in my household, so their noodles are 100% trustworthy in my book.

Price: $24.89 for a 12-pack on Amazon

Maruchan Gold - Soy Sauce 

For far too long, people have judged instant ramen, categorizing it as bland or too simplistic. I am certain these people have never had Maruchan Gold’s soy sauce-flavored instant ramen—reminiscent of the ramen stalls in Tokyo where one can get a cozy bowl of ramen with the push of a button and a handful of yen. The soy sauce is salty without being abrasively so, and the flavors of garlic, ginger, and bonito shine through. Plus, for being dehydrated and instant, the noodles are curly and spring back between each bite. I’d throw in some rings of green onion and a soft boiled egg to complete the dish.

Price: $8.98 for a five-pack on Saqra Mart

Prima Taste - Singapore Curry La Mian

If you're a fan of curry soups, you have to try these curry-flavored noodles from Singaporean brand, Prima Taste. The noodles themselves are chewy and springy, but the main draw is the well-spiced and aromatic curry soup base. It's full of creamy coconut flavor with subtle sweetness and also happens to be halal certified. I like mine served with bok choy, shrimp, and added chili oil for more spice, but if you're the type to order mild curries while out this is the perfect warming broth for you. 

Price: $14.98 for a four-pack on Amazon

Myojo Ippei - Yakisoba with Mayonnaise

This yakisoba, or Japanese stir fried noodles, comes together in under five minutes but its gloriously rich and savory. The wheat flour noodles are sticky while the sauce, paired with a packet of creamy mayonnaise, coats each strand perfectly. If you're looking for dry noodles as opposed to soup, this is a great option. Spruce it up with slivers of bacon, cabbage, and pickled ginger if you want a fuller meal. To be perfectly honest, the packet of mayonnaise included isn't enough for me, so I'll definitely also pull out my full-sized bottle of Kewpie mayo, too.

Price:$3.49 each on Weee!

Samyang - Hot Chicken Carbonara

When it comes to Samyang, I tend to go for the creamier flavors, like cheese and carbonara, because they tend to be slightly less spicy than their original chicken ramen. That's not to say their original isn't good—it just can be slightly punishing. Instead, the carbonara has deep and rich flavor, a satisfying amount of heat that isn't too abrasive, and wonderful chewiness in the noodles. If you are a fiend for heat, though, Samyang is not to be missed.

Price: $8.99 for a 5-pack on World Market

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Kat Thompson is a senior staff writer at Thrillist. Follow her on Twitter @katthompsonn.