Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein

This was my first time trying a stir-fry format from Sapporo Ichiban. I’m familiar with their broth lineup so going dry was a different experience. The seaweed smell coming off the seasoning packet was the first thing I noticed since it’s not something you typically get from a chow mein style noodle.

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 two sachets. The larger silver sachet is the soup base (chow mein seasoning powder), and the small green sachet contains dried laver (seaweed) for garnish.

How to Cook Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein

1. In a small frying pan, bring 1 cup (250ml) of water to a boil.
2. Add the noodle block. Cook over medium heat, turning the noodles over occasionally until they soften and the water is nearly gone.
3. Add the contents of the soup base sachet.
4. Continue to stir-fry briskly until the water has completely evaporated and the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce.
5. Transfer to a plate and sprinkle the dried laver from the green sachet on top.

How Does It Taste

The flavor is salty and sweet soy sauce forward. The seaweed note carries through into the finished bowl in a subtle way that gives it a slightly more Japanese character than most American dry noodle formats. It’s not complex but it’s not trying to be. Clean, sweet, savory, and done.

The noodles hold up well to being tossed in the sauce without breaking or going mushy.

How Does It Compare

Within the stir-fry instant noodle category this sits alongside the Maruchan Yakisoba Chicken and Nissin Chow Mein Chicken as a budget American dry noodle option. The Sapporo Ichiban is the most distinct of the three because of the seaweed character in the seasoning. The Maruchan leans chicken bouillon. The Nissin leans plain soy. If you want something with a slightly more interesting flavor profile in this format this one is the pick.

How to Level Up Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein

Thinly sliced steak tossed with the noodles adds the protein and savory depth the sweet soy base is asking for. Sriracha cuts through the sweetness and adds heat that the bowl is missing entirely. Green onions right before serving.

Final Verdict

A solid budget dry noodle with a slightly more interesting seasoning profile than most in the category. The seaweed note is a small but welcome detail. Add steak and sriracha and this is a satisfying bowl.

Related Instant Ramen

• Sapporo Ichiban Original Flavored Soup
• Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavored Soup
• Maruchan Yakisoba Chicken Flavor
• Nissin Chow Mein Chicken Noodles
• Ajinomoto Oyakata Yakisoba Classic Soya Sauce

Where to buy Sapporo Ichiban Chow Mein

• Amazon
• Hmart
• Kroger
• Walmart

Community Ratings

November 18, 2025

Flavor Rating

Noodle Quality

Spice Level

The best chowmein instant ramen imo

Would you buy it again?Yes

YoungBreezy

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