We Tried 8 Kinds of Ramen–This Is the One You Should Stock in Your Pantry

If, like me, you only grew up aware of one or two types of ramen, then you might be quick to write it off as an inexpensive and relatively lackluster meal. But increased interest in Japanese and Korean snack foods has made it easier to access a wider, tastier array of ramen noodles. With some toppings, sauces, and maybe an egg, these cup and packet ramen varieties can make a great addition to your lunch rotation. And you can always take your ramen to the next level with a quick dinner that starts with instant ramen noodles.

To help you decide which ramen deserves space in your cupboard, we rounded up eight varieties of chicken ramen in packet and cup form, all of which are available online or in stores. Here are our picks, from best in show to best budget option.

Best Chicken Ramen at a Glance

Best Cup Ramen: Tapatio Chicken Ramen Noodle Soup

Best Packet Ramen: Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Ramen

Spiciest Ramen: Nissin Hot & Spicy Chicken Noodles

Best Thick Noodle: Paldo Fun & Yum Kokomen Spicy Chicken Ramen

Best Toppings: Nissin Top Ramen Chicken Soup Bowl

Best Budget Option: Maruchan Instant Lunch Chicken Flavor; Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor

What We Looked For When Ranking Chicken Ramen

Taste: When comparing different flavors of chicken ramen, we looked for which products had the best-tasting broth among the eight we tested. We also considered which manufacturers included dried vegetables or other seasoning packets in their ramen, and how that affected the overall quality of the dish.

Price: By nature, ramen is—or should be—a cheap meal. For this taste test, we took note of which ramen provided the best quick comfort food for your buck. Most of the options we tested were $1.50 or less, but a couple were a bit more expensive.

Texture: Whether you like your ramen on the thin side or you vie for heartier noodles, we've got you covered. Below, we'll note which ramen varieties work best for fans of thick and thin ramen alike. We'll also note which noodles cooked well and which tended to stay a bit crunchy.

Additional Features: Ramen is definitely not a meal that's light in sodium. Most of the brands we tested contained half or more of the daily recommended amount of salt at around 1500 milligrams. There were a couple of brands that contained slightly less sodium, and we'll indicate them below.

How We Tested Each Ramen

Given that each product is a meal unto itself, this test was conducted over the course of several days. For the cup ramen, I prepared each according to the manufacturer's instructions. For all but Maruchan's cup ramen, that meant using the microwave. For the packet ramen, I used my Instant Pot—a method I heartily encourage if you haven't already tried it. All you have to do is set it to pressure cook for 0 minutes, release the pressure (carefully), and then stir in your toppings and seasoning. If you throw in an egg or two before you start the Instant Pot, they should come out a bit jammy in the center but mostly boiled. The result in my experience is perfectly cooked, fluffy noodles. I used the Sauté function as well for Buldak's chicken ramen since the packet recommended stir-frying as a final step. To learn more about how that turned out, read on.

The Best Instant Ramen Taste Test Results

Best Cup Ramen: Tapatio Chicken Ramen Noodle Soup

Tapatio's noodles were pretty standard, as were the assorted dried veggies included as toppings. The real star of this dish is the seasoning, which hands down had the best flavor of any of the ramen varieties we sampled. The seasoning had a bit of zing but was not so spicy that those who detest heat shouldn't be able to enjoy it, and it contained just the right hint of Tapatio's signature hot sauce. Another selling point: Tapatio included their dried veggies in the microwaveable bowl instead of separating them into a packet, so this ramen contains a bit less packaging than some of the others.

Best Packet Ramen: Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Ramen

Compared to some of the other ramen we tested, Sapporo Ichiban's offering is pretty simple. It doesn't include any additional veggies or sauces outside the main seasoning packet. However, the included seasoning packet had the strongest chicken flavor of the ones we tried, and the noodles in Sapporo Ichiban's ramen were also some of the most fluffy. It basically tastes like a slightly more gourmet version of the cheap chicken ramen many of us have leaned on in lean times. If you have nostalgia for chicken ramen, but have the money to spend a bit more, then Sapparo is a delicious and still budget-friendly choice.

Spiciest Cup Ramen: Nissin Hot & Spicy Chicken Noodles

Nissin's spicy chicken ramen has a slow-building kind of heat; I didn't notice it much at the beginning, but by the end, I had a few tears in my eyes. In addition to including a packet of dried veggies with scallions and peppers, this ramen comes with a sachet of chili oil that definitely brings some depth to the overall dish. Surprisingly, at 1,300 milligrams, it's also one of the options we sampled that had a bit less sodium than some of the other contenders. If you like your ramen spicy, but not overwhelming, this makes for an excellent choice.

Best Thick Noodles: Paldo Fun & Yum Kokomen Spicy Chicken Ramen

As mentioned above, Buldak actually wins the award for thickest noodles. But we've awarded the title of best thick noodle to Kokomen because these noodles, which are a tad thinner than Buldak's, are a bit less slippery, making them a bit easier to grab with chopsticks (or whatever utensils you might be using). They're still hearty, though, so if you prefer noodles with a bit more heft to thin ones, you'll love Kokomen's ramen. In addition to having great noodles, Kokomen's chicken ramen also had one of the most colorful veggie packets, with thin slices of red pepper and scallions, making it a very attractive bowl of ramen to serve up.

Best Toppings: Nissin Top Ramen Chicken Soup Bowl

Looking for toppings and plenty of them? Then look no further. Nissin's chicken bowl includes a large variety of veggies, including huge slices of dried carrot and red bell pepper, along with onions and corn. The included teriyaki sauce packet is also a welcome addition to the overall flavor profile of this ramen, giving it some of the much-needed umami that any ramen should have.

Best Budget Option: Maruchan Instant Lunch Chicken Flavor and Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup Chicken Flavor

There's nothing particularly fancy about these varieties, but that doesn't mean they don't hit the spot. If you don't have much change to spend but are still craving ramen, either of these classics will satisfy. Going for the cup variety will give you a few veggies and the ability to take your ramen on the road a bit more easily, and either earns a place in a well-stocked pantry.