Asian instant soup that isn’t horrendously artificial?

[PandaBear]

Well that’s why I was hoping there was an intermediate option, even if fresh or frozen…sort of like how you can go buy half decent chicken or bone broth, shelf stable… something like that. Or at least yeah, the noodles are fried and have unhealthy stuff, but the packs are actually dehydrated broths and spices versus artificial flavors.

I think I’ve seen some that are more like pho. I’m more interested in having soup than the type. Those rice noodles are perhaps better. I think my wife has gotten some better ones separately in the past….

There is a frozen version of Ramen in Costco:

https://www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/ajinomoto-tokyo-style-shoyu-ramen-with-chicken,-9.2-oz,-6-ct.product.100293146.html

Frozen, with broth, not dry powder, not fried and it is more like fresh noodle texture. Not chewy enough for me but it may work for you.

 

[JHZR2]

There is a frozen version of Ramen in Costco:

https://www.costcobusinessdelivery.com/ajinomoto-tokyo-style-shoyu-ramen-with-chicken,-9.2-oz,-6-ct.product.100293146.html

Frozen, with broth, not dry powder, not fried and it is more like fresh noodle texture. Not chewy enough for me but it may work for you.

The question really is how artificial is it?

 

[PandaBear]

Well sure if you are going to break down the ingredient list that far, actually even some soy sauce probably has MSG added to it. The only non "natural" stuff in this seem to be the last few things like Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate, Meltodextrin, and xanthan gum, pretty much just some small amount of artificial flavoring and not preservative (it is frozen, what preservative do you need?).

So processed meat flavor, processed sweetener, thickening gum in small amount. I've eaten ramen with nothing artificial and it really doesn't taste good, I won't eat it again.

 

[JHZR2]

Well sure if you are going to break down the ingredient list that far, actually even some soy sauce probably has MSG added to it. The only non "natural" stuff in this seem to be the last few things like Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate, Meltodextrin, and xanthan gum, pretty much just some small amount of artificial flavoring and not preservative (it is frozen, what preservative do you need?).

The point was that every ramen I saw at the Asian grocery was artificially flavored. I’m not interested in picking apart every ingredient. Im just looking for something a little better.

 

[PandaBear]

The point was that every ramen I saw at the Asian grocery was artificially flavored. I’m not interested in picking apart every ingredient. Im just looking for something a little better.

The dose made the poison, and from my tasting the frozen one is very low (lower than most I have eaten) in artificial flavoring already.

Well then. You probably can buy dry noodle and make your own sauce. It won't taste anything like a ramen however mind you. Basically soy sauce, lard or chicken fat, mirin, kelp, dried fish flakes, pork bone, garlic, ginger, and the real ramen noodle are typically made with lye water / kansui as well (the same thing you dunk bagel in, potassium carbonate).

Honestly I would just go to a restaurant instead but they too also add a bunch of artificial things. The Costco frozen ramen is probably as healthy as it get before it stop becoming ramen.

Maybe you should try the Taiwanese beef noodle instead (from a restaurant or make at home, not instant ramen). The flavoring is like a pot roast liquid + fermented fava bean paste + a bunch of herbs. Still full of umami but typically can be done without a bunch of dry kelp and bone broth simmered for a whole day. If you can make pot roast you can do it with beef shank and some spices and fava bean paste.

 

[y_p_w]

Well sure if you are going to break down the ingredient list that far, actually even some soy sauce probably has MSG added to it. The only non "natural" stuff in this seem to be the last few things like Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate, Meltodextrin, and xanthan gum, pretty much just some small amount of artificial flavoring and not preservative (it is frozen, what preservative do you need?).

So processed meat flavor, processed sweetener, thickening gum in small amount. I've eaten ramen with nothing artificial and it really doesn't taste good, I won't eat it again.

All the consternation over MSG kind of ignores that MSG is chemically just a component of real, brewed soy sauce. So anyone who doesn't seem to get sick from real soy is probably just suffering from some psychosomatic reaction knowing there's MSG in something. A lot of people have heard that MSG is bad and then react accordingly. But they don't react to the naturally occuring MSG in many cheeses, tomatoes, meats, etc.

The one thing that makes me nauseous is fake soy sauce made with large amounts of hydrolyzed soy protein.

 

[wavinwayne]

I get Udon noodles and Tonkotsu ramen at Costco. They are absolutely not good for you, but they both taste pretty good to me. Your taste buds might disagree.