Asian instant soup that isn’t horrendously artificial?

[JHZR2]

I love soups. I love pho, and enjoy ramen type soups. Occasionally I want a quick and easy one on the fly. So I go to my local Asian grocery store. They have a million kinds….

Cripes, can these things be any worse for you? I love the fresh food section of my favorite local Asian grocery. But these things???!?

Every flavor is artificial. I wasn’t expecting the most wholesome products in the world, but they can’t even use real chicken broth like those dry Lipton soup packets?

So I’m figuring that there is quite a language difference, and like anything, there are brand differences and quality differences. So I’m hoping for a recommendation. Is there a product like this that isn’t horrendously artificial down to the flavors???

 

[GON]

@JHZR2 ,.like you and many other BITOGERs, I have found across the U.S. on a MACRO basis a divide, either pay a extreme premium for quality ingredients, or get poor quality ingredients that vary in price. One often pays excessive for poor quality ingredients.

One exception I have found traveling the U.S. on a macro basis is Southern Louisiana. Although much if the food is fried, I have found quality ingredients in lots of food in Southern Louisiana at a affordable price.

I know your focus.in this thread is pre packaged grocery soups, but if you lived in Southern Louisiana, you might be having world class gumbo available to take home/work as a option at very low cost.

 

[JHZR2]

@JHZR2 ,.like you and many other BITOGERs, I have found across the U.S. on a MACRO basis a divide, either pay a extreme premium for quality ingredients, or get poor quality ingredients that vary in price. One often pays excessive for poor quality ingredients.

One exception I have found traveling the U.S. on a macro basis is Southern Louisiana. Although much if the food is fried, I have found quality ingredients in lots of food in Southern Louisiana at a affordable price.

I know your focus.in this thread is pre packaged grocery soups, but if you lived in Southern Louisiana, you might be having world class gumbo available to take home/work as a option at very low cost.

I’d love a gumbo… but my focus here is on a brothier soup that’s simple to make in a pinch - camping, on the road, short time slot in the office, etc.

 

[wwillson]

77g carbs, ouch...

 

[DemoFly]

Its an artificial foodstuff in nature.

 

[JHZR2]

77g carbs, ouch...

I know…. That one had that and a cancer warning, which is why I photographed it.

Its an artificial foodstuff in nature.

As I said, I’m not expecting the pinnacle of wholesomeness… just trying to find if there is a variant of this type of product that IS better.

 

[spasm3]

Its almost uniformly empty carbs and heavy with salt. I have not see one that isn't. I only consume them when i have norovirus!

 

[JHZR2]

Its almost uniformly empty carbs and heavy with salt. I have not see one that isn't. I only consume them when i have norovirus!

Ramen and whatnot seem very popular. I’m not challenging the nutritional value of these products. We make LOTS for from scratch and very real soups.

I’m looking for the better option that’s still fast and available…

When I’m sick I make my own with turmeric, garlic and onions… or go for real pho.

 

[Pterostylis]

My wife gets this miso soup from the Japanese grocery store, it has pretty good ingredients.

 

[AZjeff]

I know your focus.in this thread is pre packaged grocery soups, but if you lived in Southern Louisiana, you might be having world class gumbo available to take home/work as a option at very low cost.

Mr. GON you may be obsessed with gumbo. 2nd mention in 2 days?

@JHZR2 may be time for a freeze dryer and make your own "just add water" ?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

See what Whole Foods has in that category

 

[GON]

Mr. GON you may be obsessed with gumbo. 2nd mention in 2 days?

@JHZR2 may be time for a freeze dryer and make your own "just add water" ?

It is reasonable to assume after a person eats gumbo from Southern Louisiana, obsession follows.

The first time I had gumbo from Louisiana --- was a life changing experience.

 

[daves87rs]

Not sure there is anything out there.

I used to like them….

 

[berniedd]

Many of those instant meals are loaded with sodium and MSG. That's why they taste so good. So beware.

 

[alcyon]

Forward to 2:07 lol

 

[BobsArmory]

I feel your pain. I do love a bowl of instant ramen with a slice of cheese and a few shakes of red pepper but alas my Dr. told me to stay away from carbs, sugar and salt.

They are addictive and handy.

 

[JHZR2]

My wife gets this miso soup from the Japanese grocery store, it has pretty good ingredients.
View attachment 266205
View attachment 266206

Seems much better, except that as I understand it, soy isn’t great for males.

Many of those instant meals are loaded with sodium and MSG. That's why they taste so good. So beware.

Agree 100%. That’s another factor in the mix besides artificial flavors. It’s easy to leave noodles behind, but if one doesn’t have the broth, what’s the point?

 

[Kira]

They are addictive and handy.

MY OBSERVATION:
Even though these products are made from relatively cheap salt, sugar, starches and greases/oils, they're inexcusably expensive.
I looked at the bulk packs in Costco and was amazed by the "cost of convenience".

JOKE QUESTION:
How about stating the salt content in foods as a fraction of that in sea water, expressed as a percentage?

 

[MrHorspwer]

So I’m hoping for a recommendation. Is there a product like this that isn’t horrendously artificial down to the flavors???

https://shop.momofuku.com/

They're not inexpensive (~$3/pack) but they're the best instant noodles I've ever had. Noodles are air dried, not fried, so the amount of total fat and especially saturated fat is much lower. Tons of sodium still (par for the course with noodles).

Ingredient list for my favorite (Sweet & Spicy Noodles):
Wheat Flour, Water, Sugar, Salt, Sesame Oil, Invert Sugar, Chili, Garlic, Defatted Soybeans, Wheat, Canola Oil, Chili Powder, Soybeans, Glutinous Rice, Yeast Extract, Rice, Caramel Color, Brewing Sake, Sticky Rice Vinegar, Shaoxing Wine (Rice, Wheat), Malic Acid, Glucono Delta-lactone, Barley.

 

[Vil_Riker]

I do love my ramen noodles but the ingredients are a concern. But I add fresh veggies and an egg and use the ramen as a base.

Some more expensive Japanese or Korean ones are more wholesome than others.