I’m a self-proclaimed foodie, but I’ll be the first to admit it — life gets hectic, and sometimes there's only time for a speedy, wallet-friendly meal. Sadly, instant microwavable meals never seem to satisfy my taste buds. Cheap, quick, and delicious – is that really too much to ask? Determined to find the best combination of convenience and flavor, I decided it was time for an instant noodle taste test. I lined up three popular brands—Buldak, Top Ramen, and Momofuku 👇
If You Want Restaurant-Quality Flavor at Home… Momofuku
No question, the biggest difference between the three was in taste.
Most instant ramen tastes like flavored cardboard. Top Ramen-Chicken reminded me of when I was in college, but it tasted very bland, yet artificial (where’s the flavor?), and Buldak Carbonara Ramen was bursting with flavor, OMG it was way too spicy and rich for me!
On the other hand, Chef David Chang’s (maybe you know him from his shows on Netflix or his Momofuku restaurants?) instant version of his famous restaurant ramen tasted AMAZING. My 1st dish was Sweet & Spicy—yup, I’m a glutton—but it wasn’t crazy hot like Buldak. It was quite savory with a blend of chili paste for the perfect mix of sweet and heat. I’d say it was 3/10 in spice level but 10/10 in flavor. The noodles were the perfect al dente texture to slurp!
Winning Factor: Perfect blend of sweet and heat ✅
If You Prefer Noodles That Aren’t Fried… Momofuku
Sometimes I can’t finish a bowl of instant ramen because I start feeling a little sick halfway through. Unlike the other brands, Momofuku’s noodles are air-dried—never fried—so they’re nutritious, delicious, and have zero artificial ingredients (basically things you can’t pronounce). I didn’t have that typical heavy feeling even after downing a whole bowl.
And with approximately 300 calories, 11g of protein, and 0 cholesterol per serving, you can’t go wrong. Top Ramen and Buldak are fried, and while they’re MSG-free, they have other ingredients like palm oil that sound pretty unhealthy and I try to avoid.
Winning Factor: Only 330 calories per serving ✅
If You Simply Want the Cheapest Option… Top Ramen
All three ramen noodle brands are quite a steal compared to eating out. Top Ramen and Buldak value packs cost much less than Momofuku (Top Ramen’s 24-pack costs about $12 while Momofuku’s 5-pack is around the same price).
Momofuku's Bestsellers Pack comes with 5 flavors: Soy & Scallion, Sweet & Spicy, Tingly Chili, Spicy Soy, and Spicy Chili. As if 5 servings of each flavor isn’t enough, they also throw in toppings: 1 Soy Sauce, 1 Original Chili Crunch (spicy, crunchy chili oil), and 1 Savory Seasoned Salt.
Plus, for a limited time, they’ve got a special offer on this pack so you can save 15%. The total comes out to $85
$101(just $2.60 per serving)! Top Ramen is a bit cheaper, but honestly if it’s a difference of just a few bucks per serving, wouldn’t you rather go with the better-tasting option that comes with extra toppings?
Winning Factor: It’s insanely cheap ✅
If You Want Ease and Convenience… Tie
All three noodle brands are quick and easy to get my slurp on at home, and take just a few minutes to make. However, only Momofuku’s Bestseller Pack includes all the extras—soy sauce, seasoning, chili crunch—just in case you forget it at the store. (Plus, with the Bestseller Pack, you get over $100 worth of delicious ramen and toppings for just $85!)
In just minutes, I can whip up a steamy bowl of noodles—simply boil the noodles, drain, and shake to remove excess water. Then, add the sauce, all your toppings, and voila!
Winning Factor: It’s a tie ✅
The Ultimate Winner… Momofuku
If a quick, restaurant-quality meal at home is what you're after, Momofuku is the absolutely, without a doubt, the best choice. I've lost track of how many times it's been my dinner solution on busy evenings.
Each Momofuku ramen packet is crafted with the expertise of Chef David Chang himself, and I can genuinely taste the difference. So for those of us who can't jet off to NYC, indulging in Momofuku’s instant noodles at home is the next best thing. Plus, you can start with a versatile Momofuku 5-pack or a mix-and-match option if you want to try them before committing to the 24-pack of ramen noodles. Trust me, your ramen experience is about to be upgraded to the next level.
