noodle review: tonkotsu

The package this time was a rather plain deal but it did feature a somewhat creative demo image on the front. That is, it sort of resembles what one might do at home with a package of instant noodle - you would make the instant noodles and then just throw some meats or veggies on top.

My research revealed that Tonkotsu is actually ...wait for it... a type of ramen. That's right, tonkotsu is actually just a style of ramen. So labelling a package as "tonkotsu flavour" is a little silly. It's like having a potato-flavoured chip or maybe a beef-flavoured steak.

On the other hand, I'll hand it Nissin for making an effort to make their version of tonkotsu taste at the very least, interesting. And it starts with the intriguing soup base that comes with it:

Not sure if you can make it out in the photo, but there's actually sesame seeds in the powder mix. And the smaller "seasoning packet" this time contained something resembling actual seasoning oils (as opposed to that white gooey substance that comes with the roast-beef style packages). Indeed, for such a generic "flavour" the final result looks pretty good with those onion bits and sesame seeds floating around in there.

That white powder mix at first tasted very much like the generic "chicken" flavour. It's kinda salty but not biting. According to my research, real tonkotsu soup is supposed to be "thick" and is made by boiling crushed pork bone to obtain the broth. Since you can't well make "instant pork bones" Nissin did the next best thing: the soup has an almost creamy consistency. I hesistate to call it "thick" but this'll do. And on reflecting over what pork should taste like, I have to say, ok, it sort of did taste a bit like pork. I'm even going to guess that perhaps if I actually went to the trouble of buying some roast pork in Chinatown on the way home, this might have been excellent together.

Would I buy this again? Maybe.