Participating in the Demae Iccho Factory workshop at the Cup Noodles Museum in Hong Kong, we were guided through the entire process of crafting noodles from scratch. Subsequently, we received a complimentary package of the commercial product for comparison with our homemade version. While a comprehensive account of the workshop experience can be found here, this post will specifically focus on the Nissin Foods Demae Iccho with Sesame Oil.

Each package included a noodle cake, a soup base sachet and a seasoning oil sachet. The noodles were prepared by adding them to 500ml of boiling water and cooking for 3 minutes while placing the soup base in a bowl. After removing the noodles from the heat, the hot water was poured into the bowl to dissolve the soup base, followed by the noodles, before stirring well and serving.

The final bowl of noodles had a clear dark brown soup base with an oil layer on top. Upon tasting, the soup base resembled a soy-based ramen with hints of chicken or pork bouillon. Its savory quality was balanced with a subtle sweetness, while the sesame oil added a fragrant element that elevated and deepened the soy base. Towards the end of the bowl, the sesame oil contributed a mild heat, imparting a warm nuttiness that complemented both the noodles and broth.

The curly noodles, well-supported by the soup base, maintained a slightly al dente texture characteristic of Cup Noodles—never mushy despite hydration. Cooking on the stove imparted a subtle springiness to the noodles, a nuance absent in the Cup Noodles versions, although not as pronounced as Nong Shim noodles. Overall, this ramen offered an enjoyable and approachable flavor, easily enhanced with various toppings.

This Nissin Foods Demae Iccho with Sesame Oil contained 100 g. It was produced in Hong Hong and received as part of a Demae Iccho Factory Workship at the Cup Noodles Museum in Hong Kong in 2023.