Since I started shopping at Trader Joe's back in 2016, I always wondered: why don't they have any ramen. If they are inexpensive, then that is the hallmark of inexpensive foods. And in fact, even though my husband and I are both grown adults and not of college age, we still keep ramen around. However, we tended to get our ramen from our local grocery store, H-Mart.
I mean you can get 4 packs of noodles at the grocery store for about $1. I can't really think of anything else you can eat that cheaply. Granted, it doesn't win any awards for nutrition, but at least your stomach will feel full.
Tasting and review
Now, this isn't the cheap plastic-wrapped package of ramen. This has its own bowl for you to fill with water.
This particular item is labeled as being vegan even though it is cut off in the picture.
In terms of taste, it tasted like miso soup. And though miso isn't always vegan, it was close enough to the familiar taste where I did not feel like anything was missing.
Like so many noodles in a cup items, this does have a decent amount of sodium to it. But it didn't taste overwhelmingly salty.
The noodles cooked up in the appropriate amount of time. And once cooked, they were filling. You could bulk up this bowl a bit further by adding protein to your meal like tofu or chicken. It would even benefit from some additional fresh greens.
There were even bits of seaweed and green onions in some bites, but not too many.
Overall
It's a pretty good cup of noodles. It has the familiar taste of miso. It's vegan and doesn't make you feel like you are missing anything. It was filling. It was inexpensive at $1.29.
If you need a good grab-and-go lunch it wasn't a bad one to reach for at all. I'd bring my own protein to make it a more substantial meal, but otherwise, it seems well done.
Now, just a side note. I purchased two of these. As I'm typing this, it is the second one I've had. The first one was photographed. My second bowl of noodles did not have the oil packet.
Not a huge deal, but something to keep an eye out for. Did I miss it? Not really.
However, if you aren't near Trader Joe's, you can also find this on Amazon through third-party sellers.
Product photos
The container of Trader Joe's Miso Ramen Soup:
The nutritional information:
The ingredients:
How to prepare:
Out of the package you get:
After being cooked you get:
A closer look at the broth:
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Miso Ramen Soup again. It was filling, tasty, and had a reasonable amount of taste (and sodium) for a bowl of prepackaged ramen soup.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe’s for a searchable list.
The Bottom Line
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Trader Joe's Miso Ramen Soup
Product Name: Trader Joe's Miso Ramen Soup
Product Description: Trader Joe's Miso Ramen Soup is an easy soup in a package. Just add water and microwave.
Price: $1.29
Summary
Trader Joe's Miso Ramen Soup is one of two ramen options on store shelves.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Trader Joe's Miso Ramen Soup is one of two new soups, but this one is vegan, filling, and does not taste quite as salty as some other ramens that I have had.
Cons
- Not as cheap as the 4/$1 ramens, but those don't come with their own microwave safe cups. Also, when I had my second cup, it did not contain an oil packet.
Alek says
I don't think the oil is needed. Unless it was sesame oil.
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! I had it both ways. It was fine with it and fine without it. I don't think it made much of a difference considering it was maybe a tsp in size.
Dag says
Holy Moly-37% of your daily value of sodium?????!!!! I guess that's par with most Ramen which which is probably the reason I don't eat them very much. That said I guess you wouldn't have to add the whole packet which is probably what I would do. Didn't they also come out with another type of Ramen soup also?
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! Yes, ramen is almost always high in sodium. I picked up on of my other ramen noodles that my husband likes. 88% of your daily value of sodium on that one. But yes, there is a chicken one which I'll post at some point this week. But both are good options (if you don't mind the salty nature here)
Grubbing With Jess says
I saw this and was super curious about it so I am happy to see your review!
becomebetty says
Hey Jess! Glad I could help! If you try it, I'd love to know what you think of it.
Ttrockwood says
I did try this and loved it!! There’s a great miso flavor to it, and i love that it’s vegan. Also not too bad for calories for ramen, especially since it isn’t fried. I’ll buy it again and definitely add some cubed tofu, i think the baked tofu TJs sells would be great in it.
I didn’t really understand the oil, especially since it wasn’t sesame oil or something flavorful. Kinda weird they even include it.
becomebetty says
Hey Ttrockwood! I agree. I was pleasantly surprised on this one too. And yes, the oil packet did not seem to make much of a difference. Like you said, I'd rather save the calories for an add in. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Greg Taniguchi says
I hope to never ever have to go to Trader Joe’s to buy miso ramen, haha
becomebetty says
Hey Greg! It sounds like you know something about ramen, but as a quick meal it wasn't bad and it is certainly not for everyone. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and share your thoughts.
Greg Taniguchi says
You also know about ramen too from eating it/review! I just hope that people go beyond Trader Joe’s for miso ramen
becomebetty says
Much agreed. There is nothing better than freshly made Ramen, it's a shame that there aren't more actual ramen shops around.
D. S. says
It was funny to read that one of your ramen cups didn't contain the oil packet because yesterday one of my cups didn't contain the seasoning packet. The weirdest part of my story is that I had purchased two cups at the same time, and when I opened the second cup today, it contained TWO seasoning packets. Something must be wrong with their quality control. But I do love the soup (it's not so good unseasoned, however!).
becomebetty says
Hey D.S.! I write what I see. Sometimes it might just be mine and sometimes I like to see if anyone had the same issue. Those seasoning packet are pretty essential because like you said there isn't much flavor. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to stop by and share!