I'll admit it, I'm a lazy cook. I appreciate good food but 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 two popular brands—Top Ramen and Momofuku 👇
If You Want Restaurant-Quality Flavor at Home… Momofuku
No question, the biggest difference between the two was taste.
Top Ramen-Chicken reminds me of when I was in college, but it tastes bland, yet artificial (where’s the flavor?). It also made me super thirsty because it was way too salty.
On the other hand, Chef David Chang’s (maybe you know him from his shows on Netflix or his Momofuku restaurant) instant version of his famous restaurant ramen tasted AMAZING. My 1st dish was Sweet & Spicy—but it wasn’t crazy hot, it was quite savory with a blend of chili paste for the perfect mix of sweet and heat. The noodles were the perfect al dente texture to slurp!
Both brands offer a range of flavors but I found Momofuku's flavors to be more unique and authentic, while Top Ramen is more American-Asian fusion.
- Top Ramen Flavors: Chicken, Beef, Shrimp, Soy Sauce, Chili, Hot & Spicy Beef
- Momofuku Flavors: Soy & Scallion, Sweet & Spicy, Tingly Chili, Spicy Soy, and Spicy Chili
If You Want the Healthier Option… Momofuku
Momofuku’s noodles are air-dried—never fried—so they’re nutritious, delicious, and have zero artificial ingredients (basically things you can’t pronounce). And with approximately 300 calories, 11g of protein, and 0 cholesterol per serving, you can’t go wrong.
Top Ramen is fried, and even though it's MSG-free, it has other ingredients like palm oil and artificial coloring agents that are known to be unhealthy. Plus, each serving of Top Ramen has 50% more sodium than a serving of Momofuku noodles. Lastly, I was surprised to see that Top Ramen has around 7g of saturated fat in each serving, while Momofuku only has 1.5g.
If You Simply Want the Cheaper Option… Top Ramen
Both noodle brands are quite a steal compared to eating out. Top Ramen is cheaper than Momofuku (Top Ramen’s 24-pack costs about $12 while Momofuku’s 5-pack is around the same price). Depending on whether you get a value pack or not, each serving comes out to around:
- Top Ramen $0.25 - 0.50 per serving
- Momofuku $2.25 - $3.50 per serving
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?
If You Want Ease and Convenience… Tie
Both noodle brands are quick and easy to make at home in the microwave or on the stove. They take just a few minutes so they're perfect for lazy cooks like me.
Momofuku has become a weeknight staple for me... 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!
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.
