Cup Ramen Flavors: Five Unusual Ones You Should Try!

Cup ramen is the ultimate comfort food for commuters and students looking for a quick late-night snack. There are so many good flavors, from chicken to barbeque to curry, you might be tempted to stick with the classics.

However, if you’re up for a challenge, you might want to add some unusual flavors to your list. In this blog, we’re including both products that are still available and limited-edition items that have been discontinued. Here are five unusual cup ramen flavors you need to try!

What is Cup Ramen?

Cup ramen is the answer for people who don’t have time to make ramen at home or the money to eat out. Nissin Foods founder Momofuku Ando created the first instant noodles “Chikin Ramen” in 1958 before launching the famous “Cup Noodles” in 1971. You can learn more about their history at the Cup Noodles Museums in Osaka and Yokohama. Other Japanese ramen companies include Acecook, Sanyō Foods, and Tōyō Suisan.

Generally, cup ramen contains dried or precooked noodles made with potassium carbonate, a seasoning packet usually containing garlic powder, and often dried vegetables or other condiments (sometimes packaged separately).

The instructions are simple: add hot water and let sit for three to five minutes. Some people eat straight from the cup, but you can transfer the noodles to another bowl. You can find instant noodles in Asian food aisles at most convenience stores and supermarkets.

What are the most common flavors?

Let’s look at the most common flavors before getting to the unusual ones. First, there’s the classic Chikin Ramen with chicken-flavored broth. Then, there are flavors based on different variations of ramen, including tonkotsu, shoyu, seafood, and miso. You can also get cup ramen from dishes like Japanese curry and yakitori (skewered chicken). 

Nissin and Korean companies like Nongshim offer spicier options for those who like heat in their noodles. Nissin also offers some vegan and vegetarian products, though you should still check the list of ingredients for animal-based products. And don’t forget you can customize your cup ramen with toppings like cheese, green onion, or a fried egg! We’d also like to mention that instant noodles can come in yakisoba form with a thick sauce instead of broth.

Are you looking for great cup noodles? Check out TokyoTreat! TokyoTreat delivers limited-edition Japanese noodles, drinks, snacks, and sweets right to your door so you can enjoy the latest Japanese drinks and snacks directly from Japan!

What are some unusual flavors?

Gaming Cup Noodles 

At first glance, these noodles contain regular ingredients like garlic, black pepper, minced pork, and curry seasoning, depending on your flavor. But if you read the packaging, you’ll also notice caffeine and other stimulants have been added to give you that extra boost. To be extra gamer-friendly, Nissin’s Gaming Cup Noodles are soup-free. Would you try them?

S’mores Cup Noodles 

Missing summer camping? Nissin’s limited-time Campfire S’mores Cup Noodles promise to bring back those vibes! Its seasoning blends cocoa, brown sugar, molasses, and honey. Top with mini marshmallows and graham cracker bits for that extra summer spark. 

Ratatouille

Are you hoping to recapture the magic of Disney Pixar in cup ramen form? Nissin certainly did when they released their Cup Noodle Light+ Ratatouille flavor. These noodles are healthy and delicious at 198 calories, with non-fried vegetables and a hearty tomato broth. For extra romance, eat while you watch the commercial starring Japanese actor Takumi Saitoh. 

Pringles 

You heard us correctly: Pringles-flavored instant noodles! The chip company collaborated with Acecook’s Super Cup to create exciting new concoctions for Pringles’ 50th and Super Cup’s 30th anniversaries in 2018. The cup ramen flavor they decided on? Jalapeño and Onion, with a separate spice packet for easy adjustment.

Pumpkin Spice

Our final cup ramen flavor is perfect for welcoming fall. Nissin’s limited-edition flavor comes with pumpkin flavoring and a spice blend. The instructions even call for a squirt of whipped cream. Does it taste like pumpkin spice latté? Only one way to find out!

Should I try these unusual cup ramen flavors? 

Japan is no stranger to unusual flavors that Western countries rarely try. And it’s lots of fun when a beloved company releases a limited-edition flavor. Whether it’s seasonal or to highlight an essential ingredient, you get something new and exciting each time.

Of course, cup ramen isn’t the healthiest food due to its artificial flavors and addictive nature. While it’s cheaper than regular noodles, buying too much and too often does add up. We recommend eating in moderation and only on special occasions, like exam time or movie night.

If you see these or other strange flavors in store but aren’t sure if you’ll like it, buy just one cup or have a friend get it and taste it first. Don’t let the fear or worry of hating the cup of ramen stop you. Who knows, maybe it’ll become your new favorite snack! Have you tried any of these unusual cup ramen flavors? Are there any we missed? Let us know in the comments!