A Whopping Collection of Japan’s Quirkiest Instant Noodles: Matcha, Chocolate, and Strawberry—Yes, Please!

Text & Photos by /MATCHA

Instant noodles have been a staple in Japan for nearly 60 years, yet Japan never stops innovating night and day, ensuring that noodle shelves are always stocked with new surprises. Today, we’ll introduce some exciting new flavors from brands like Nissin, so you can experience the Japanese flair for creative innovation!

Though not exactly a unique cuisine, instant noodles are an indispensable travel companion. Japanese noodles have a distinct flavor, which is why many travelers bring them back home. Previously, Matcha introduced seven ultra-popular instant noodles and fried noodles. Today, we’re highlighting new flavors to showcase the Japanese knack for creativity!

Sweet Treats Just in Time for Valentine’s Day

Chocolate-Flavored Fried Noodles

As Valentine's Day approaches in February and March, the noodle world has surprisingly rolled out several sweet-flavored options. Actually, chocolate-flavored noodles aren’t new—they’ve been around for a few years and even enjoy decent online popularity and are available for online purchase. These are dry noodles, and when you open the sauce packet, a rich chocolate aroma greets you. The toppings include some sugar crystals, giving off a strong dessert vibe. But you’re chewing on noodles—that cognitive dissonance is quite the unique experience. One bite and you might just let out a thoughtful “Mmm…” This is truly an interesting sensation. [br /] Estimated price: 159 JPY (tax included)

Strawberry Cake Fried Noodles

Strawberry Cake and Chocolate? Seriously? Upon first glance, these two don’t seem to make sense together. Most people would probably go for the chocolate, but in reality, the “strawberry cake” flavor is actually more palatable. Perhaps because the strawberry cake flavor is slightly sweet with a salty base, featuring a familiar mayonnaise-based sauce along with strawberry candy flakes and little squares that mimic whipped cream. The sweetness isn’t too overpowering, reducing that jarring contrast, and might be easier to accept. That said, taste is subjective—still, we recommend grabbing one and taking the plunge!
Estimated price: 159 JPY (tax included)

Limitless Imagination: Unique Flavor Editions

Cilantro Fried Noodles

Cilantro, despite its name, is a polarizing spice with fans and foes both in Japan and abroad. Some Japanese people even wear “I Hate Cilantro” T-shirts while traveling. While most are hesitant to try it, last year Japan saw a surge in cilantro-flavored creations. Many snack makers—both local and global—released varieties featuring cilantro. Though the actual flavor might not be as intense as expected, the experience is still pretty novel. It offers a slightly herbal taste that’s not overwhelmingly strong. For those who typically dislike cilantro, this might be a milder introduction. But if you're firmly anti-cilantro, you might want to skip this one. Estimated price: 199 JPY (tax included)

Matcha-Flavored Noodles

At first glance, matcha-flavored noodles might seem odd, but they’re actually creamy seafood noodles. The noodles are green and slightly wider, not as curly or chewy. The broth is a buttery seafood flavor. Despite the green hue, there’s not much actual matcha taste. The seafood ingredients are quite rich. Though a bit pricier than other options, it’s still a great value overall. Most importantly, the flavor is definitely enjoyable—arguably one of the safer choices among recent innovative flavors. Matcha lovers, don’t miss out on trying these!
Estimated price: 159 JPY (tax included)

Experience Michelin-Star Quality Without the Wait: Tsukumo

Since earning a Michelin star, Tsukumo Ramen near Yaho Station has seen insane lines. Some people reportedly pick up a queue number in the morning, go home for a nap, then return at noon to finally eat. Now, the shop has collaborated with supermarkets to offer fresh and instant noodle versions for everyone. If you can’t plan your trip around standing in line, check out nearby supermarkets during your stay—you might get to taste (and even bring a few packs back to Taiwan!) the Michelin-starred experience. Don’t assume instant versions will be disappointing; these noodles are genuinely delicious, light, not too salty or oily, and likely to suit Taiwanese palates. Once you’ve tried such tasty instant noodles, you might find yourself, like me, eager to visit the flagship store. Maybe that’s the shop’s clever way to draw more customers!
Estimated price: 278 JPY (tax included)

East vs. West: The Secret Inside Nissin Donbei Noodles

Ever noticed a little secret hidden on the lids of Nissin Donbei series cups? On the left side of the Nissin logo on the lid, you’ll see either (W) or (E)—this indicates whether it’s the Eastern (Kanto) or Western (Kansai) flavor. Using Sekigahara (site of the famous Battle of Sekigahara in the Warring States period) as the dividing line, east of it is the Kanto flavor, and west is the Kansai flavor. Kanto-style uses bonito flakes for the broth base, while Kansai-style uses kelp. If you try both, you’ll also notice differences in the color and depth of the broth. Next time you’re traveling in Japan and spot Donbei noodles, take note of where you are!

Which is better—the Kanto or Kansai version of the Donbei series? I’ve tried both, and personally prefer the Kansai flavor, which is lighter and suits my taste. So every time I visit Kansai, I end up packing plenty of Donbei cups to bring back to Kanto!

Do Soup and Dry Noodle Packages Look Different?

Ever noticed the difference between how soup-based and dry noodle packages are designed? Dry noodles usually print the product name on the plastic film wrapping, while soup noodles often have the name printed directly on the cup. There’s actually some clever Japanese design thinking behind this!

Wild & Wonderful Noodle Creations: Ingenious Details in Small Packets

The interior of dry noodle cups is designed to be extra smooth so the seasoning mixes in easily, while the outside is slightly rough—this is to prevent slippage when pouring out the soup, increasing grip. But the rough exterior makes printing difficult, so the text is printed on the wrapper instead. Soup noodles don’t need vigorous stirring or draining, so the exterior can remain smooth, allowing direct printing on the cup. Next time you eat dry noodles, take a moment to appreciate these thoughtful Japanese design touches!

Everything and Anything Goes—A Huge Collection of Japan’s Quirky Noodles!

Don’t think soup cups lack thoughtful features either—Nissin’s small cups include a sticky note on the bottom to help secure the lid while cooking. Next time you grab one of these cups, make good use of it!

Conclusion
Instant noodles have been around in Japan for nearly 60 years, yet the country continues to innovate day and night, ensuring there’s always something new on the instant noodle shelves. Next time you’re in Japan, be sure to check out the instant noodle section at supermarkets and convenience stores to see what new flavors have emerged!

Author: MATCHA
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