Umai Crate by Japan Crate focuses on bringing you Japanese-exclusive instant noodles. Each month, you'll receive 7-8 instant noodles to try, along with a bonus collectible!
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The Subscription Box: Umai Crate
The Cost: $25 a month + free shipping
The Products: 7-8 Japanese-exclusive instant noodle dish + a bonus collectible
Ships To: Worldwide
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This month’s Umai Crate booklet features a funny little 'comedy corner,' an interesting page about different types of eggs, and then a recipe for Kirin Ramen pizza. I have never had ramen pizza before, but the pictures make it look very enticing - I might have to give it a try! As always, there is a helpful area that describes each ramen packet for the month. Navigating the flavors of each bowl can be tricky so I always like to keep this booklet close to me when tasting.
Time to get cooking!
Yamamoto - Tanuki Oyaji Spicy Ramen
This ramen is spicy, spicy, spicy! I would say that if you don't love spice, this one isn't for you, but luckily I love a spicy bowl of ramen. The spice level and the richness of the broth created so many layers for each bite. The spice really lingered on my lips, but the booklet does note you can always add a little butter to cool this bowl down. I loved this bowl so much that I added some pieces of chicken and scallions to make this a hearty dinner. Probably my favorite ramen that I have tried so far from Umai Crate!
Itomen - Ginger Miso Ramen
When you first make this bowl you are hit right away with the strong ginger smells and flavors. While I really loved this bowl, I am not the biggest fan of ginger, but luckily my husband is so he happily gobbled this one up! The white miso is made from rice wine which really helped to add a richness to the broth and a heartiness to the bowl overall. I loved that the noodles were a bit lighter and thinner than the other bowls from this month which really paired nicely with the robust flavors from the broth.
Itomen - Shijimi Ramen
So many fresh veggies, I absolutely loved all of the green color to this bowl! Each layer of the bok choy created new flavors mixed with the flavorful beef broth. The noodles were thick and created a creaminess to the already rich broth. This was another bowl that I added chicken to and some hot sauce for a warm dinner. Gosh, I could eat so much more of this!
Yamamoto - Tanuki Oyaji Tonkotsu Ramen
I don't know how it is possible to pack so much flavor into each little bowl, but I was amazed at how creamy this broth tasted! This is a much more traditional bowl that you can easily add some pork or egg. I loved how much of the cabbage and carrot flavors you get in each bite. This was such a comforting bowl that I just had to take it with me to work as a hearty lunch!
Ogasawara - Kirin Ramen - Soy Sauce
This is the packet that you can use to make the ramen pizza from the booklet recipe! While I didn't have what I needed to make the pizza, I did absolutely love this dish. There is something really lovely about the simplicity to this type of bowl because you really can add whatever you want to dress it up, or you can even make pizza out of it! Even though the broth is soy based, you don't get a huge kick of salt like you normally would with a soy sauce. The noodles are a little thicker so they soak up that broth nicely as well.
Ogasawara - Kirin Ramen - Miso
According to the booklet, Kirin Ramen has had the same recipe since 1975 and is a staple dish in households across Japan. I love learning about these dishes and knowing that you are trying something truly authentic! Luckily I had some leftover pork so I was able to add some of that to and it really soaked up the thick miso broth. Like the soy sauce dish, the noodles are much thicker so this bowl is super filling. Another delicious bowl!
Itomen - Yam Soba
The booklet notes that this is the perfect dish for Fall so I was really happy that I made this extra hot on a cold Fall evening. The stock is made with kelp and soy with the bonita flavor pack to really round out the flavors in this bowl. The noodles were unlike anything I have tried before as they were more of a wheat-like noodle. Such a unique bowl!
Bonus Item - Trivet
The bonus item for the month is a trivet! If you aren't familiar with this handy tool, the booklet describes it as a tool for when you need a place to set a hot pot or dish. I am constantly using this type of item to keep my counters and kitchen table save from extra hot items. While I don't love the color, the other items I have received were the fun yellow, I still know that I will use this trivet a lot!
Verdict: I think Umai Crate might be one of my favorite boxes that I receive! My husband and I used to love visiting local ramen restaurants, but haven't been able to get out as much now that we have a toddler. With Umai Crate, the authentic ramen dishes are now delivered right to us, bonus! Not to mention you are receiving 7 packets in each box and are paying $25 a month, which is way less than you would spend for a ramen dinner night out. This month really took the flavors to a whole new level and continued to amaze me that so much richness can be packed into one little packet. If you remember, last month was Umai Crate's one year anniversary, so I can't wait to continue experiencing what this box has to offer!
What was your favorite bowl from the September Umai Crate?
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