Nongshim’s Shin Ramen Black Instant Noodles are a continuation in the evolution of the classic Shin Ramen loved by people all around the world. From households to Korean BBQ restaurants, Shin Ramen is so insanely popular that it can be found almost anywhere. Nongshim must have wanted to put a fresh spin on these noodles to continue competing in the global ramen market. These noodles have gotten an overhaul in several different areas. The broth is packed with a stronger flavor. The noodles are more dense and a bit thicker after the cooking process. And most significantly, this ramen now has a larger packet of dried flakes that contain all the extra textures and flavors that make this ramen visually complete. It really is a meal of its own!
Flavor:
The flavor has definitely gotten an upgrade when compared to the original Shin Ramen. The beef broth has a wonderful, satisfying taste that is complemented by the texture of the reconstituted meat and vegetables. The soup is thicker and maybe even a bit stickier that the original. Also, there is a very, very generous amount of meat and vegetables when compared to other instant noodles and, of course, when compared to classic Shin Ramen. Everything works well to tie the ramen together into a nice and complete package. The large amount of dried flakes and the beefiness of the mildly spicy broth really make this package of instant noodles so much better than the original.
Spiciness:
These noodles are a bit spicy. They aren’t any spicier than the original version, in case you were wondering… The spice that comes out in these noodles is definitely from red chili peppers, which is quintessentially a very Korean flavor. The spiciness hits your tongue, but doesn’t build much as you continue eating this ramen. For anyone who enjoys eating spicy foods, these noodles will taste mild to you. However, if you’re not accustomed to heat, they will most likely feel like medium heat or even hot.
Smell:
I was surprised that the red pepper spice didn’t come out in the odor at all. The smell comes primarily from the beef flavored broth in combination with the instant ramen.
Texture:
The ramen noodles found in this package reminded me of the ones found in traditional Japanese ramen. I’m still a little unsure of the connection, but maybe it was because these noodles were a bit softer and swelled with broth upon being boiled in the soup? Ultimately, these noodles didn’t really hold up all that well after spending some extra time soaking in the “spicy onsen.”
Overall Impression:
At least to me, instant ramen usually feels like a snack, rather than a complete meal. Nongshim Shin Ramen Black is visually whole because of the substantial amount of dried flakes that were added to the mix. This is NOT a light ramen. The noodles are thick and dense with plenty of meat, vegetables, and a viscous broth. Why don’t all meal replacements taste like this?
So, what do you think? Does Shin Ramen Black make the ultimate meal replacement? Let me know down in the comments below!
If you’re interested in hearing more about instant ramen, check out my on-going series, Noodle Story: An Exploration of Korean Instant Noodles, here on Medium.
Note: This article may contain affiliate links that support the author’s ramen purchases for these how-to guides and reviews.
