Thai Kitchen Lemongrass & Chili Instant Rice Noodle Soup

The Thai Kitchen Lemongrass & Chili Instant Rice Noodle Soup is an American-made instant rice noodle that I wanted to like more than I did. Thai Kitchen is a widely available brand and lemongrass is one of those flavors that can be impressive in instant format when it’s done right. This one doesn’t quite get there.

Produced in the United States.

What’s in the Package

Inside the packaging, there is a bundle of rice noodles and two seasoning sachets. There is a larger silver packet containing the soup base powder, and a smaller transparent packet containing seasoned oil.

How to Cook Thai Kitchen Lemongrass & Chili

1. Stir well to ensure the powder and oil are fully distributed before serving.
2. Place the dried rice noodles and the contents of both seasoning packets into a deep bowl.
3. Pour 1 cup (approx. 240ml) of boiling water over the noodles.
4. Let the bowl sit for 3 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.

How Does It Taste

The profile is sharp and sour upfront but the aftertaste has an earthy damp quality that felt off. The lemongrass flavor you’d hope for isn’t really there. It tastes more like their Spring Onion variety with a hint of citrus powder added in. James and I found ourselves reaching for a pinch of sugar to try to give the broth more depth.

There’s barely any spice in it. The noodles are thin and straight. One important note: the package directions undersell the cook time. Following them exactly left the noodles with noticeable crunch. Cook them for an extra minute.

How Does It Compare

Within the Thai Kitchen lineup the Spring Onion is the more reliable option. The Lemongrass and Chili is theoretically the more interesting flavor but the Spring Onion delivers a cleaner and more consistent bowl. If you’re looking for a genuine lemongrass hit the Mama Tom Yum Shrimp and Acecook Good Vermicelli Tomyum Kung Flavor both do it better.

How to Level Up Thai Kitchen Lemongrass & Chili Rice Noodle Soup

A salty protein helps balance the sourness so rotisserie chicken or shrimp both work. Fresh basil rounds out the broth and adds the floral note the lemongrass flavor is reaching for but missing. A small pinch of sugar if the sour is too sharp.

Final Verdict

A disappointing bowl from a brand with potential. The sour profile is unbalanced and the lemongrass doesn’t come through. Cook it longer than the package says and add a protein and fresh herbs and it becomes acceptable. Hard to recommend over better lemongrass options at a similar price.

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

Related Instant Ramen

• Thai Kitchen Spring Onion Instant Rice Noodle Soup
• Mama Tom Yum Shrimp Instant Noodles
• Acecook Good Vermicelli Tomyum Kung Flavor
• Wai Wai Quick Zabb Tom Yum Shrimp Flavor
• Maggi Perisa Tom Yam Instant Noodles

Where to buy Thai Kitchen Lemongrass & Chili Instant Rice Noodle Soup

• Amazon
• McCormick
• Target
• Walmart