Sanyo Foods Junren Sapporo Miso Ramen

I picked this up at a train station in Sapporo. Junren is a well-known miso ramen shop in the city and this is their instant version. Finding a local shop’s instant ramen at a train station is one of the best parts of traveling in Japan.

Produced in Japan.

What’s in the Package

Inside this bowl, you will find a round block of non-fried, air-dried yellow noodles accompanied by four sachets. The Blue Sachet (Kayaku) contains the dehydrated toppings, including minced pork, bamboo shoots, and green onions. For the broth, there is a large Yellow Sachet filled with a thick, liquid miso paste and a smaller Green Sachet containing seasoning powder. Finally, a Red Sachet contains the seasoning oil.

How to Cook Sanyo Foods Junren Miso

1. Open the lid halfway and remove all sachets. Empty the Blue (Kayaku) sachet onto the dry noodles.
2. Pour boiling water up to the inside fill line.
3. Place the Yellow and Red sachets on top of the lid. This uses the steam to warm the thick miso paste and fats, making them easier to pour. Let it sit for 4 to 5 minutes (check the specific cup timing, as air-dried noodles take longer).
4. Peel back the lid. Stir the noodles first to loosen them. Then, add the Yellow (Miso), Red (Oil), and Green (Powder) sachets.
5. Stir thoroughly until the miso is fully dissolved.

How Does It Taste

The first thing I noticed was the noodles. They’re more vibrant yellow than any instant ramen I’d seen. That color comes from the alkaline noodle making process and it signals a more authentic Japanese ramen noodle format. After 5 minutes they came out perfectly al dente which is not something I take for granted with instant noodles.

The broth has a distinct peanut flavor running through the miso base. It’s salty which is expected for a miso ramen, but the peanut note is what makes it interesting. It’s not overwhelming but it’s clearly there and it gives the bowl a depth that generic miso instant ramens don’t have. Spice is 1 out of 5, just a hint.

One important note, the instructions say not to microwave. Boiling water only, then add the seasoning packets after the noodles have cooked. Follow that exactly.

How Does It Compare

The most direct comparison on the site is the Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen. Both are Japanese miso instant ramens. The Sanyo Junren is the more premium of the two with better noodle quality and a more distinctive broth character from the peanut note. The Nishiyama Seimen Sumire Shio Ramen is another authentic Sapporo ramen shop instant that’s worth comparing alongside this one.

How to Level Up Sanyo Foods Junren Sapporo Miso Ramen

Chashu is the natural protein addition for a Japanese miso ramen. Bacon adds a similar richness without the prep time. Cabbage for crunch and sweetness. A soft boiled egg and green onions right before serving to finish.

Final Verdict

One of the better instant ramens I’ve brought back from Japan. The peanut miso broth is interesting and the noodle quality backs it up. Don’t microwave it and don’t skip the chashu.

How do I rate my ramen? Check out the Ramen Rating Guide.

Related Instant Ramen

• Sapporo Ichiban Miso Ramen
• Nishiyama Seimen Sumire Shio Ramen
• Misen Taiwan Ramen
• Ichiran Ramen
• Marni Foods Akita Suehiro Ramen Honpo Soy Sauce Flavor