Umai Crate by Japan Crate focuses on bringing you Japanese-exclusive instant noodles. Each month, you'll receive 7-8 instant noodles to try, along with a bonus collectible!
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Umai Crate
The Cost: $25 a month + free shipping
The Products: 7-8 Japanese-exclusive instant noodle dish + a bonus collectible
Ships To: Worldwide
Check out all of the Umai Crate Reviews to get more information on this subscription. Check out all of our Food Subscription Boxes in the Subscription Box List. Rate, review, and follow this subscription on the Umai Crate profile page.
The booklet that is included in this box is very in-depth and quite helpful! Since the packaging on the products is written in Japanese, this pamphlet (written in English), tells you what you’ll find in your box along with some tips on how to cook the ramen.
Let’s take a look at what’s inside!
Yamadai – Tenobe Somen
The description of this ramen notes that it has flavors of sardines and they aren’t lying, this one sure is fishy! While the sponge-like flower and triangle pieces throughout are cute and unique, this ramen isn’t for me at all. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone who isn’t fond of a fishy taste.
Yamadai – Ankake Udon
Udon noodles are some of my favorites, so I was instantly drawn to this ramen. With the thick broth and mild taste of mushroom, this was surely one of my favorites in the shipment! I paired with some friend tofu as suggested in the pamphlet and I highly suggest doing this, it was a nice added touch to the dish.
Ace – Soup Harusame Kakitama
Not going to lie here, these vermicelli noodles looked like gelatin and initially turned me off from thinking I’d like this dish, but I was wrong! The light shrimp flavoring is just right and not overly salty, which I appreciate and overall, I do like the texture of the noodle! I guess this goes to show that you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Itsuki – Mini Nyumen
This ramen reminds me of one that you’d buy for 10 cents at an American market and I’m not complaining! The broth is extremely flavorful and the tiny edible flowers throughout the dish are such a nice touch, and nothing like I’ve seen before. This ramen is easily one of my favorites in the crate, 10 out of 10!
Maru-Chan – Tempura Soba
I’ve never had buckwheat noodles before and after this ramen, I don’t think it will be my last! The overall taste of this dish gave me hints of cabbage, and it wasn’t overly salty which I appreciate. My only complaint is that this one was a bit too fishy for my liking, but definitely not as fishy as the Tenobe Somen from earlier in my review. All around I liked this and give it a 7 out of 10.
Yamadai – Machi Ichiban Salt Ramen
The packaging of this ramen looks very similar to a 10 cent ramen in a U.S. market, but the noodles and taste are much different. The noodles are thick and chewy while the broth tastes like cabbage and other veggie flavors, which I loved. I paired with a soft-boiled egg as recommended in the pamphlet and I’m glad I did, it was a great touch!
Fujiwara – Shizimi Salt Ramen
Hands down, this was my favorite ramen in the whole crate! The fish and clam flavoring of the broth is just right while not being overly salty! I paired with a soft-boiled egg and it made the dish even tastier – yum!
Bonus Item – Ladle
The bonus item for June is this cute little soup ladle. The material is matte rubber and overall, the quality is quite nice and I love the color!
Verdict: I really enjoyed the flavor expedition my palate went on this month! While there were a few ramen dishes that were a little too fishy for my liking, I enjoy trying new things and would recommend this crate to anyone who does as well. I ended up with 7 flavors of ramen this month, plus a bonus gift, so the price of each piece just comes out to be a little over $3 in value - not bad for a fun new lunch!
What did you think about this month’s Umai Crate?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.