The "God of Ramen" has spoken, and for 2025, Taiwan's top instant noodle honor belongs to A-Sha.
Hans Lienesch, the American food critic behind the widely followed websiteThe Ramen Rater, released his annual "Top Ten Taiwanese Instant Noodles" list this week. A-Sha's "Meteor Noodles with Hot & Sour Sauce" claimed the number one spot, edging out strong competitors Mom's Dry Noodle and Kong Fu Noodle.
Lienesch, who has reviewed more than 5,000 varieties of instant noodles since founding his site in 2002, serves as a global tastemaker for the industry. His annual rankings are closely watched by manufacturers and consumers alike, often driving international sales for the featured brands.
The Top Contenders
Lienesch praised the meteor noodles for their "delicious and exquisite" balance. He highlighted the substantial mouthfeel of the noodles and a sauce that masterfully balances the acidity of black vinegar with the numbing heat of Sichuan peppercorns.
Taking second place was the "Surfmama Goose Oil Zhajiang Noodle" by Mom's Dry Noodle. The review lauded the elasticity of the wide noodles and the rich, non-greasy sauce, which Lienesch compared to the savory-sweet filling of a steamed bun. （Related： Opinion | Beijing Shifts Strategy Towards Taiwan, From 'Confrotation' to 'Integration' ｜ Latest ）
Third place went to the "Aged Shaoxing Wine With Chicken Drumstick Soup Noodle" by Kung Fu Noodle. Lienesch noted the product's generous portions of real chicken and vegetables, along with a broth infused with Huadiao cooking wine, describing the overall experience as resembling "home-cooked cuisine" rather than a typical instant meal.
