Nissin Cup Noodle Curry

I’ve been reviewing instant noodles long enough that I don’t expect to be surprised very often. The Nissin Cup Noodle Curry surprised me. I knew Nissin. I knew the cup format. I was expecting a serviceable curry-flavored soup and what I found was something that actually reminded me of eating a proper bowl of Japanese curry. I’m a little annoyed it took me this long to get to it.

Produced in Japan.

What’s in the Package

Inside, the fried wheat noodle block is pre-loaded with a generous amount of curry soup powder and a mix of dehydrated toppings. These toppings include potato cubes, carrots, and green onions, all ready to be rehydrated directly in the cup.

How to Cook Nissin Cup Noodle Curry

Cooking directions per package instructions:

Boiling water directions:

1. Boil water in a separate container. Fold back lid and add boiling water to inside fill line.
2. Close lid and let stand for 3 minutes.
3. Stir and enjoy.

Microwave directions:

1. Remove lid. Tip or shake cup to move seasoning powder to one side so that the noodles can be seen. Pour room temperature water onto exposed noodles, stopping at inside fill line.
2. Place in microwave center. Microwave uncovered for 2 1/2 minutes on HIGH. Let stand for 1 minute.
3. Stir and enjoy.

How Does It Taste

The potato chunks are where I want to start because they really impressed me. I went in skeptical about how a dehydrated potato would taste and they hydrate perfectly. They come out soft and they absorb the broth like little sponges. Each piece carrying a full mouthful of curry flavor. Combined with the dried vegetables this cup is more substantial than most instant products at this level.

The broth is the other standout. Most instant cup broths are watery and thin at a 1 out of 5. This one sits at a 3 out of 5 on viscosity. It’s thick enough to coat the noodles properly rather than just pooling at the bottom of the cup. The Japanese curry profile is accurate and well-executed. It has the warmth and richness you’d associate with restaurant-style Japanese curry without being heavy.

The noodles are the budget part of the equation. Standard thin wavy Nissin cup noodles at a 1 out of 5 on thickness and they go soft faster than you’d want. Eat this quickly after the stand time to get the best texture out of them. They don’t ruin the bowl but they’re the limitation.

Spice is 0 out of 5. The curry is warm and flavorful but it’s not a heat-forward bowl.

How Does It Compare

Japanese curry flavored instant products are a specific category and Nissin’s Cup Noodle Curry is the benchmark on this site for what the format can achieve at the budget end. The thick broth and real potato chunks put it well ahead of most cup noodle competitors in terms of what you actually get in the bowl.

If you want a quick Japanese curry experience without cooking from scratch this is the most accessible version I’ve found in an instant format.

How to Level Up Nissin Cup Noodle Curry

American cheese melted into the hot broth is the unexpected topping that works here. Japanese curry and cheese is a classic combination. One slice is all you need.

Add some fresh scallions right before eating so they stay fresh. A pinch of cayenne pepper introduces a little bit of heat. The warmth of the curry is already there. The cayenne pushes it into actual spice territory.

If you have broth left at the end of the cup, add a scoop of cooked white rice. The thick curry broth coats the rice beautifully and you effectively have a second meal in the same cup.

Final Verdict

The Nissin Cup Noodle Curry from Japan is one of the best cup noodles I’ve reviewed. The potato chunks work better than they have any right to, the broth is thick and curry-flavored, and the overall bowl punches well above the instant format’s usual limitations. Don’t wait as long as I did to try it.

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

Related Instant Ramen

• Maruchan Instant Lunch Chicken Ramen Noodles

Where to buy Nissin Cup Noodle Curry

• Amazon
• Hmart
• Walmart