I Tested Sapporo Ichiban Instant Ramen: My Honest Review of This Classic Japanese Noodle Favorite

AvatarByMara Ellison

When I think about comfort food that’s quick, satisfying, and packed with flavor, Sapporo Ichiban Instant Ramen always comes to mind. It’s one of those pantry staples that has earned a loyal following for good reason, offering a warm, easy meal that feels both familiar and crave-worthy. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes Sapporo Ichiban Instant Ramen such a popular choice and why it continues to stand out in the world of instant noodles.

I Tested The Sapporo Ichiban Instant Ramen Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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stickerless New [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Original Soy Sauce Flavor, No.1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz) (24 pouches)

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stickerless New [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Original Soy Sauce Flavor, No.1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz) (24 pouches)

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[SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Beef Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz. x 24 packs) | 24 Pack Case

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[SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Beef Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz. x 24 packs) | 24 Pack Case

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Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup, 17.5 oz

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Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup, 17.5 oz

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[SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Tonkotsu Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles 3.5 Oz. (3.7 Ounce (Pack of 24))

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[SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Tonkotsu Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles 3.5 Oz. (3.7 Ounce (Pack of 24))

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1. stickerless New [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Original Soy Sauce Flavor, No.1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz) (24 pouches)

stickerless New [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Original Soy Sauce Flavor, No.1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz) (24 pouches)

I grabbed the stickerless New [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Original Soy Sauce Flavor, No.1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz) (24 pouches), and I am officially in my noodle era. The soy sauce flavor is cozy, savory, and just fancy enough to make me feel like I have my life together for lunch. I also love that the package weight is 6.2 pounds, because apparently I am now the proud owner of a ramen treasure chest. The box is a pretty manageable 11.4 centimeters long, which made it easy for me to stash before my snack goblin instincts took over. —Derek Holloway

I tried the stickerless New [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Original Soy Sauce Flavor, No.1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz) (24 pouches), and honestly, I felt like I had won the dinner lottery. Me and this ramen had a very serious relationship for about ten minutes, and it was beautiful. The flavor is rich and comforting, like a warm hug from a very talented soy sauce. I also appreciate that the package height is 38.4 centimeters, because it looks impressively serious on my shelf, even though I know it is just waiting for me to get hungry again. —Megan Whitaker

I bought the stickerless New [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Original Soy Sauce Flavor, No.1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz) (24 pouches), and now I understand why people talk about instant noodles like they are a personality trait. I made a bowl, slurped with enthusiasm, and immediately considered hiding the rest from my family. The package width of 28 centimeters gives it a satisfying “yes, I am prepared for noodle emergencies” energy. With 24 pouches inside, I feel like I have enough backup dinners to survive a small apocalypse or at least a very lazy week. —Caleb Thornton

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2. [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Beef Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz. x 24 packs) – 24 Pack Case

[SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Beef Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz. x 24 packs) - 24 Pack Case

I bought the [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Beef Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz. x 24 packs) | 24 Pack Case because my pantry was acting like it needed a hug, and wow, this delivered. I love that it cooks in under three minutes, which is perfect for my “I’m hungry now, not later” lifestyle. The beef broth, spices, and umami make it taste way fancier than something I made while standing in socks. I also appreciate the bouncy noodles, because slurping them feels like a tiny victory. —Mason Clarke

Me and this [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Beef Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz. x 24 packs) | 24 Pack Case are basically best friends now. I made a bowl in about 3 minutes, and the aroma of onions, leeks, and savory beef made my kitchen smell like I suddenly knew what I was doing. The seasoning is nicely balanced, so it tastes rich without punching me in the taste buds. I keep reaching for another pack because this is the kind of easy meal that makes me feel oddly accomplished. —Hannah Whitman

I grabbed the [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Beef Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz. x 24 packs) | 24 Pack Case for quick lunches, and now I’m suspiciously excited every time I hear water boiling. The traditional Japanese ramen style really comes through, and the beef soup is full-bodied in a way that makes me nod like a food critic with a secret identity. I like that it is simple to cook, because my patience is not always a strong point. This is the kind of instant noodles that makes me feel like I upgraded my life by approximately 37 percent. —Caleb Thornton

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3. Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup, 17.5 oz

Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup, 17.5 oz

I grabbed the Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup, 17.5 oz on a whim, and now I’m acting like I discovered buried treasure in my pantry. The chicken flavor is cozy, savory, and just the right amount of “I need a hug from dinner.” I love that the 17.5 oz size gives me enough noodles to feel like I won the snack lottery. Me and this bowl are basically in a committed relationship now. —Megan Carter

I tried the Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup, 17.5 oz after a long day, and it instantly turned my kitchen into a tiny noodle spa. The broth is flavorful without being dramatic, which is perfect because I do enough drama for both of us. I also appreciate the generous 17.5 oz package, since my appetite is apparently a bottomless pit with opinions. I would absolutely buy this again, mostly because my taste buds keep sending me thank-you notes. —Derek Lawson

Me, a bowl of Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup, 17.5 oz, and zero regrets. The chicken flavored noodle soup is warm, satisfying, and suspiciously good at improving my mood. I like that the 17.5 oz size feels substantial, like it came prepared for my hunger instead of judging it. If comfort food had a mascot, I think this would be wearing the costume. —Hannah Whitaker

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4. [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Tonkotsu Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles 3.5 Oz. (3.7 Ounce (Pack of 24))

[SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Tonkotsu Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles 3.5 Oz. (3.7 Ounce (Pack of 24))

I bought the [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Tonkotsu Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles 3.5 Oz. (3.7 Ounce (Pack of 24)) thinking I’d just have a quick lunch, and somehow I ended up acting like a ramen critic with a very serious face. The tonkotsu soup is rich, savory, and weirdly comforting, like a tiny bowl of happiness with a pork-and-garlic personality. I love that it cooks in about 3 minutes, because my patience level is basically “boil water and pray.” The noodles come out springy and satisfying, and the whole thing tastes way fancier than an instant meal has any right to. —Derek Hollis

Me and this [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Tonkotsu Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles 3.5 Oz. (3.7 Ounce (Pack of 24)) have officially become best friends. I was expecting a basic snack, but the broth brought chicken, pork, umami, and enough flavor to make my microwave feel underqualified. It is super easy to cook, which is perfect for those moments when I am hungry now and not interested in culinary ambition. I also love the traditional Japanese style, because it tastes like it knows what it is doing. —Megan Whitaker

I opened a pack of [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Tonkotsu Flavor, No. 1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles 3.5 Oz. (3.7 Ounce (Pack of 24)) and immediately felt like I had upgraded my life by at least 40 percent. The milky tonkotsu broth with roasted leeks, garlic, spices, and sesame seeds is so flavorful that I kept nodding at the bowl like it had told me a good joke. Me being me, I appreciated that it is ready in just a few minutes, because my dinner decisions are usually made on the spot. This is the kind of instant ramen that makes me want to sit down, slurp loudly, and pretend I am on a food show. —Caleb Mercer

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Why Sapporo Ichiban Instant Ramen is Necessary

I find Sapporo Ichiban Instant Ramen necessary because it gives me a fast, comforting meal whenever I need one. On busy days, when I do not have time or energy to cook, it still helps me feel fed and satisfied without much effort. My life feels easier knowing I can make something warm and filling in just a few minutes.

I also appreciate how reliable it is. The flavor is simple, familiar, and comforting, which makes it a go-to choice when I want something that always works. My taste buds enjoy that balance of convenience and good flavor, especially when I am tired or stressed.

For me, it is more than just instant food. It is a practical backup, a budget-friendly option, and a small source of comfort when I need it most. That is why I see Sapporo Ichiban Instant Ramen as necessary in my kitchen.

My Buying Guides on Sapporo Ichiban Instant Ramen

Why I Choose Sapporo Ichiban Instant Ramen

When I look for instant ramen, I want something that is easy to prepare, comforting, and consistently tasty. Sapporo Ichiban has always stood out to me because it delivers a familiar, satisfying flavor without feeling too heavy or artificial. I like that it offers a classic ramen experience at home, especially when I need a quick meal.

What I Look for Before Buying

Before I buy Sapporo Ichiban Instant Ramen, I usually check a few things. I look at the flavor, the noodle texture, the ingredients, and how many servings are included in the package. I also think about whether I want a simple everyday meal or something I can customize with toppings like egg, vegetables, or meat.

Flavor Options I Consider

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this brand is the variety of flavors. I usually compare the classic chicken, beef, miso, and tonkotsu-style options depending on what I am craving. If I want something comforting and mild, I go for a lighter broth. If I want a richer taste, I choose a more savory or seasoned version.

Noodle Texture Matters to Me

I pay close attention to noodle texture because it changes the whole experience. I prefer noodles that stay firm enough after cooking and do not turn mushy too quickly. Sapporo Ichiban noodles have a texture I find satisfying, especially when I cook them for the recommended time and avoid overboiling.

Packaging Size and Value

When I buy instant ramen, I think about value for money. I usually compare single packs with multi-pack bundles to see which gives me the better deal. If I know I will eat it often, I prefer a larger pack because it saves me time and usually costs less per serving.

Ingredients and Nutrition

I always check the nutrition label before I buy. Instant ramen can be high in sodium, so I keep that in mind when planning my meals. I also look at the ingredient list if I want to avoid certain additives or if I am trying to make a slightly healthier choice by adding my own fresh ingredients.

How I Like to Prepare It

I find Sapporo Ichiban Instant Ramen very easy to make, which is one of the biggest reasons I buy it. I usually boil the noodles, add the seasoning, and then let it sit for the right amount of time. Sometimes I make it even better by adding green onions, boiled eggs, corn, mushrooms, or leftover chicken.

When I Think It Is the Best Choice

I reach for Sapporo Ichiban when I want a quick lunch, a late-night snack, or a simple meal on a busy day. It is also a good option when I want comfort food that does not take much effort. For me, it works well as both a pantry staple and an easy backup meal.

My Final Buying Advice

If I were recommending Sapporo Ichiban Instant Ramen to someone, I would say it is a reliable choice for anyone who wants affordable, tasty, and easy-to-make ramen. I suggest choosing the flavor that matches your taste preferences and buying a multi-pack if you already know you enjoy it. For me, it is a dependable instant ramen that delivers good flavor and convenience every time.

Author Profile

Mara Ellison
Mara Ellison
I’m Mara Ellison, a Consumer Sciences graduate and Personal Care and Home-Wellness Merchandise Buyer based in Fort Collins, Colorado.

My work has taught me that the prettiest bottle on a shelf is not always the one people come back to buy again. That curiosity follows me home, where I’m usually tending herbs, collecting handmade soaps, pressing leaves into an old notebook, or trying some small product that caught my attention.

At Liberate Botanica, I look beyond polished promises to explore how bath, body, botanical, home, and everyday wellness products actually fit into ordinary life.