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.

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.

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.

While it missed the top ten, the iconic "Wei Lih Men" (Wei Lih Jah Jan Mien)—a staple in Taiwanese households—received a special honorable mention.

Lienesch credited the brand with formally launching his career as a noodle critic. He recounted discovering the product after moving near a large Asian supermarket in 2010. He admitted to initially preparing it incorrectly by boiling the soup and noodles together, only later learning the proper dry-noodle preparation method that separates the broth.

Despite its exclusion from the main list, Lienesch acknowledged a strong emotional connection to the classic flavor.  （Related： Opinion | Beijing Shifts Strategy Towards Taiwan, From 'Confrotation' to 'Integration' ｜ Latest ）