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I didn’t go into Nissin Top Ramen Chicken with high expectations. It’s one of the American instant ramen staples and I knew roughly what to expect. The celery saltiness that hits immediately was a surprise though. It’s more distinctive than I remembered and not necessarily in a good way.
Produced in the United States. Distributed by Japan.
What’s in the Package
Inside the packaging, you’ll find a square block of fried wheat noodles and a single gold-and-silver sachet containing the Chicken flavor soup base powder.
How to Cook Nissin Top Ramen Chicken
Cooking directions per package instructions:
- Boil 2 cups of water in a sauce pan. Add noodles, breaking up if desired. Cook 3 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat. Stir in seasonings from flavor packet. To lower sodium, use less seasoning.
How Does It Taste
The celery salt is the first thing I tasted and it lingers. Underneath it is a strong chicken bouillon that’s savory and familiar. One note all the way through. There’s no complexity, no depth, nothing that develops as you eat. It’s the kind of bowl that tastes exactly like the packet smells and doesn’t offer anything beyond that.
No spice. Thin broth. The noodles are thin and wavy and need to be eaten quickly before they go soft.
How Does It Compare
In the American budget chicken ramen category this sits alongside the Maruchan Chicken Flavor and Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavored Soup. The Maruchan Chicken is cleaner and more straightforward. The Sapporo Ichiban has a more prominent onion note. The Top Ramen Chicken has the most distinctive celery salt character of the three which makes it the most divisive. If you want the best American budget chicken ramen the Sapporo Ichiban or Maruchan are both better picks.
How to Level Up Nissin Top Ramen Chicken
I would add rotisserie chicken, fresh cabbage, and white onions.
Final Verdict
A nostalgic bowl that tastes exactly like what it is. The celery salt note is polarizing and the broth is one note but it’s a reliable base. Load it up with toppings and it earns its place. On its own it’s just okay.
Tasting Notes
- Spice Level: 0/5
- Broth Viscosity: 1/5
- Noodle Thickness: 1/5
- Noodle Type: Wavy Wheat
- Topping Suggestions: Rotisserie Chicken, White Onions, Lettuce, Cabbage
How do I rate my ramen? Check out the Ramen Rating Guide.
Related Instant Ramen
- Maruchan Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup
- Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavored Soup
- Nissin Top Ramen Beef Flavor
- Maruchan Roast Chicken Flavor Ramen Noodle Soup
- Tapatio Chicken Ramen Noodle Soup
Where to buy Nissin Top Ramen Chicken
Community Ratings
This brand was my first time ever trying ramen and it made me despise it for years! At the time, the only available flavor in my country was the chicken and to this day, it remains my least favorite flavor. I do however, enjoy the chilli the most. The shrimp and spicy beef isn’t so bad for an instant ramen, and depending on the toppings, it can make a decent dish. For this, I added steak, wontons and chilli crisp. I used the chilli flavor, though.
The “buy again” selection is for the chicken. But will definitely recommend buying the beef or chilli!
The chicken broth is savory and nostalgic, but doesn’t have much complexity. I always find myself adding things to enhance the flavor (sriracha, curry powder, ginger, garlic, etc…) because otherwise it becomes a bit boring. The noodles have to be eaten very quickly, otherwise they become soggy and spongy. No spice at all.
This was the first ramen I ever had as a child and why I love ramen. Although I have different ones that are my favorites and go to, this will always be a classic for me.
