Menraku Tonkotsu Ramen, 2.9 Ounce (Pack of 12)

**BEGIN UPDATE 9/08** Just received my 2nd case of 12 in a little over 3-wks, but then again I've been sharing, 1/3 for sharing w/my taste-buddies while the remaining 2/3's have been for my own taste-buds. I added little steamed won-tons today but it was more than this soup needed, maybe tomorrow a sliced hard-boiled egg; keeping it simple is the best way to enjoy this bowl of ramen wherein the broth is superior. I will let you know if I ever get on to trying the other flavors as I'd originally hoped. Thanks for reading. **END UPDATE** If you ever enjoyed add-hot water and wait bowl-type instant ramen, this has, in my humble opinion, the best tasting broth, no-contest of this type that I've ever had since "Cup Jorick" came along early 70's. Fast-forward, for the last year or so I've enjoyed the "Nong Shim Big Bowl Noodle Udon" (still do!) since it isn't SPICY at all, allowing me to add spice if I choose to change it up, add steamed won-tons, char siu - you get the idea. "Menraku Tonkotsu Ramen" while the noodles are on par w/instant ramen of the bowl variety, here it's the RICH BROTH, that immediately upon tasting, is set apart from the usual within the category. Other reviewers here who have also enjoyed have picked up the same flavorful aspects: buttery, a bit of garlic, a rich-tasting broth like you could only get home-made or in the best kept secret asian restaurants. I look forward to trying the other Menraku varieties: Shio Ramen, Miso Ramen, and Shoyu Ramen, all very basic flavors that can be lost causes in the wrong hands but I am convinced on this experience alone, though "Tonkotsu" ramen may be my new, all-time favorite, that I will enjoy the others as well. Wondered about "Tonkotsu"(pork-bone), not to be confused w/"tonkatsu"(breaded pork cutlet), as the broth didn't convey much pork taste though it could be usual Japanese subtlety at play here. I got this on WED and I've had one each day since. I should get another case soon as I know I'll be sharing. Currently living in a dorm? Buy the case. Stash it however you're best able or split the case w/others. It's quick, easy and great value. Amazon Prime got it here in two-days!!! The only thing left to say is "Itadakimasu!"

Very convenient and much better than other brands.

Hi, Japan native here. Do you hate the sad, sucky cup ramen you get at your local grocery store that's less than a dollar each, which taste like things you probably shouldn't put in your body, because somewhere along the way you've found out what they're supposed to be like? Well, for around a quarter of the price of a restaurant ramen (They're like $10 here and these things should be something like two fiddy), you really can't do much better. These are tonkotsu ramen. Basically, the creamy pork broth you're most likely going to have when you go to a proper ramen place. Japan's had some hard time exporting the good cups over to the US since there's some weird laws about importing foreign meat or something, and I recall this company specifically tried to circumvent it by emulating pork bone broth without using pork, and... Looking at the ingredients, I don't see pork, yet I taste good ol' pork broth! And garlic! Holy crap! They might not be explicitly vegetarian (I am NOT the person to ask) but it's impressive they've gotten the flavor down so well considering there's no actual pork. Portion size wise, two of these (I got their other flavors, which I also recommend) will be a decent sized meal, but I'm a big boi and I'm sure people less rotund than I will be satisfied with just one. Also, they don't go too crazy with toppings, so it can benefit from canned corn or whatever you want to toss in. Compared to the stuff I (dearly) miss from Japan, these are a solid C+ tier. For reference, I rank the "chicken" and "beef" flavored cups you get here at a solid F. You're eating less noodles by volume-to-cost, sure, but I actually stay sated much longer with these than the cups by a large margin. Not to mention the difference in quality. TLDR: Japproved. Try'em at the price point of ~2.50 a pop.

I'll preface this review with the clarification that my five star rating is based on my opinions given the nature of the product- as a pre-packaged ramen. It's certainly no substitute for a "real" bowl of tonkotsu ramen. I'm a hardcore Sapporo-style ramen fan but the closest noodle shop with tonkotsu ramen is a bit out of my way and eating there requires some planning. Preparing the soup for homemade tonkotsu ramen is a long process that can take days, depending on the recipe, and I've never been motivated enough to finally try it myself from scratch because the time and effort is just too daunting for me. I dislike prepackaged ramen as a general rule, especially ramen of the "instant" variety that only needs the addition of boiling water and rehydration. I decided to give this product a shot since I've never had a prepackaged ramen that promised the flavor of a tonkotsu broth, which is rich and unctuous, and most instant ramen broths just resemble a clear bouillon. For a prepackaged instant ramen, I have to say that I'm really impressed with how well the flavors and texture of "real" tonkotsu broth are represented. No, I'd never mistake it for the real thing and if it were the real thing then I'd consider it below mediocre but for what it is, I consider it outstanding and I'll be re-ordering. Note: This is very salty (1680 mg sodium), heavy (21 g fat) and more caloric (410 calories) than most prepackaged ramen, which is already considered to be bad for you, but that's true of many "real" tonkotsu broths and as an occasional lunch while I'm at at work and stuck at my desk, I'm okay with that and adjust the rest of my foods that day accordingly. I wouldn't be willing to waste my sodium, fat or calorie budgets on any other instant ramen I've ever had.