Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup, Pork Flavor – Japanese-Style Instant Noodles, Quick & Easy Meal for Kids, Students & Busy Families – 3 Oz. (24 Pack)

I’m a big fan of Maruchan’s Pork Ramen. The broth has a nice pork flavor with a little sweetness, and it’s ready in like three minutes—perfect when I’m hungry and don’t feel like cooking. I actually bought these for my daughter, but I ended up keeping a few for myself because they’re just that good. I’ve thrown in some sliced pork before and wow, it tastes amazing. You can add whatever veggies you like too—it all works. Sometimes I make it with a lot of broth, sometimes just a little, depending on my mood. Either way, it hits the spot and doesn’t cost much.

Let’s be honest, this isn’t trying to win awards or impress a ramen purist in Japan. Your nutritionist shudders at the mere mention of it, but that's not what we're here for. This is Maruchan ramen, and it knows exactly what it is. It’s cheap, delicious, fast, and consistently hits the spot we love the beef and pork. Perfect for busy days, late nights, or those “what’s for dinner?” moments when the answer is “this, obviously.” It’s been a household staple here for years and continues to be a reliable crowd-pleaser. No frills, no surprises just classic comfort. It may not be gourmet, but it absolutely earns its place in the pantry.

Love this flavor, but they don't make enough of it. You have to wathch the price, wish you could use put orders on amazon when the price is the same as walmart. Hate profiteers who take the scasity for for a chance to make a profit.

Yummy 😋

In the pantheon of quick and convenient meals, instant ramen occupies a place of distinction. A staple for many in need of a fast yet satisfying meal, it often provides the perfect balance of simplicity, comfort, and affordability. Today, we delve into a particularly budget-friendly iteration: Instant Pork Ramen. Priced modestly, this ramen promises a quick culinary escape with its familiar pork-based broth, a savory offering in the crowded landscape of instant noodles. But does it live up to the challenge of providing depth, flavor, and authenticity, or does it fall victim to the pitfalls of its price point? **Packaging & Presentation:** The packaging is functional, perhaps even utilitarian. The primary focus seems to be on practicality, and one cannot expect the aesthetic flourishes of higher-end ramen brands. The ramen comes in a conventional plastic, which, while not particularly elegant, serves its purpose. The bold, garish graphics on the exterior provide the typical advertising tropes, with a picture of a steaming bowl of ramen that contrasts starkly with the reality of the product’s actual presentation. This, however, is no surprise—expectations of instant ramen seldom demand much from its external packaging. **Noodle Texture:** The noodles themselves are unsurprisingly mass-produced, with a uniform thickness that suggests the use of extrusion rather than hand-pulled techniques. Once hydrated, the noodles have a satisfying chew—neither overly soft nor too firm. They retain a basic, almost neutral flavor, designed to be a conduit for the broth rather than an experience in and of themselves. Their texture is adequately springy, and they maintain their structural integrity for the entirety of the preparation, without becoming soggy or mushy. However, one would be remiss to compare them to the ethereal, hand-crafted noodles found in gourmet ramen establishments. As an instant noodle, they perform admirably within the confines of their purpose. **Broth:** The most crucial element of this ramen experience is undoubtedly the broth, and here, the product offers a modest interpretation of what could be considered a "pork" flavor. The soup base is likely derived from a combination of powdered seasonings and flavor enhancers, with an artificial depth meant to evoke the rich, comforting qualities of a slow-simmered pork stock. Upon adding hot water, a thin, vaguely milky broth forms, exhibiting a faint brownish hue that suggests the presence of pork, though it lacks the complex layering one would find in a well-executed tonkotsu or even a basic pork miso. The taste is salty and savory, with a slight umami undertone, but the flavor of the pork is faint, almost ethereal. The artificial pork taste—likely derived from monosodium glutamate (MSG) and other flavor enhancers—dominates the broth, resulting in a distinctly manufactured flavor profile. It’s not unpleasant, per se, but the broth’s depth and richness are noticeably shallow. One could describe it as an approximation rather than an authentic portrayal of pork. In terms of seasoning balance, the broth is adequately salted, though it may prove too intense for those sensitive to sodium. There’s a mild, lingering tang from the seasoning, but it’s devoid of any discernible complexity, leaving the eater with little more than a fleeting, albeit satisfying, saltiness. **Pork Flavor Profile:** When it comes to the pork, expectations should be set low. The flavor is reminiscent of instant soup broths rather than actual pork. In many instant ramen iterations, the "pork" can sometimes appear as dehydrated chunks or processed slices, but here, the illusion of pork is sustained solely through the broth’s seasoning. It’s clear that this product is focused on recreating the essence of pork in an affordable manner, and while it may evoke a nostalgic sense of comfort, it does not deliver anything approaching the richness or authenticity of true pork-based ramen. **Value Proposition:** As a product that retails at a low cost, Instant Pork Ramen undoubtedly delivers on its promise of affordability. For the price, it provides a quick, easily prepared meal that offers a momentary sense of satisfaction. However, the experience it offers is hardly a culinary revelation. The pork flavor, though serviceable, is ultimately synthetic, the broth lacks the depth found in higher-end counterparts, and the noodles are basic at best. **Final Thoughts:** Instant Pork Ramen is undeniably functional and offers decent value for those in need of a budget-friendly, quick meal. However, it is not a product that will satisfy those seeking an authentic ramen experience or the nuanced, slow-simmered flavors of a traditional pork-based broth. It’s a serviceable choice for a college student on a budget or a person seeking a no-frills, low-cost option, but for the discerning palate, it is best left as a last resort when craving instant ramen. In conclusion, Instant Pork Ramen is a prime example of the maxim “you get what you pay for.” While it offers a semblance of pork flavor and delivers in terms of convenience, it lacks the sophistication, authenticity, and culinary depth that would elevate it beyond its status as a cheap, quick-fix meal.

Ramen Noodles. What can be said here? We all know this product quite well. Most everyone had eaten it, many have lived off it for a time during their life, be it in a college dorm or just in your own home during a pinch. I used to really like these myself but much less so as I get older but I happen to have offspring. He loves these, he is not in college (yet) he is just lazy! They are good noodles though and for some reason this pork flavor is hard to find in my area.

Everyone knows and loves ramen especially in a pinch. That’s why I always keep a case of it just incase of an emergency and need a meal. Listen it’s not a 4 course meal but it’s hot, tasty, & enough to sustain you till something else better comes along.

Taste good, was fresh.