When we first reported on the rumor of Totino’s ramen and Old El Paso ramen, we never really, truly thought it would come to fruition. But here I am, with four steaming cups of those precise ramen flavors from General Mills, ready to taste them.
Because I am an important member of the press, I received early samples. But if you’re champing at the bit to try them, mark your calendar for April, when these new instant ramen flavors will hit Walmart shelves. But wait, before you start your April Walmart grocery list, read on to find out which of these new ramen flavors you should actually buy and which ones are just culinary curiosities.
- Old El Paso Ramen Noodles Fajita
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These Old El Paso ramen noodles are described by the brand as “a rich, smoky blend of bell peppers, onions, and cumin in a hearty chicken broth.” It’s not inaccurate. But is that “fajita?”
Pros: The broth is actually spicy. The label says the noodles are medium heat, and they definitely hit that mark. The spice is lasting and, honestly, unexpected. The broth is heavy on the roasted bell pepper flavor and there’s definitely cumin in the mix. The noodles in all of these new ramen flavors are delightfully soft without totally falling apart.
Cons: This stuff is sweet. It’s probably the peppers, but it all comes off really, really sweet, which is not what I think of when I think of fajitas. There’s no meaty flavor at all. It’s just sweet and spicy bell pepper broth. It’s not bad, per se, it’s just not really what I want out of noodles.
Credit: Merc / General Mills
- Totino’s Ramen Noodles Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza
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Totino’s created two pizza-flavored ramens, a cheese pizza ramen and, no, not a pepperoni pizza ramen. Instead, they took a big swing with a Buffalo chicken pizza ramen.
Pros: The broth is vinegary, buttery, and savory. There’s a touch of heat, though not a lot. It tastes much more tomatoey than any Buffalo sauce I’ve ever had—maybe that’s supposed to be the pizza sauce? So it ends up tasting a bit like a creamy, tangy tomato soup with noodles. Though I wouldn’t seek this one out, I’d happily finish a cup.
Cons: This flavor is described as being a “spicy, tangy mix of Buffalo sauce, chicken, and cheese.” Out of those descriptors, only “tangy” applies. It doesn’t really taste like chicken, cheese, or Buffalo sauce. And I certainly wouldn’t describe it as spicy.
Credit: Liv Averett / General Mills
- Totino’s Ramen Noodles Cheese Pizza
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You might think you know what you’re going to get with this Totino’s ramen: cheesy tomato soup with noodles. Well, you thought right—but there’s more to it.
Pros: It tastes like powdered cheese in tomato soup, which does kind of evoke the flavor of a pizza roll.
Cons: Along with the powdered cheese and tomato flavor, there’s a lot of old, dried herb flavor in the mix. And that ruins it. This should have been a slam dunk, but someone got a little too enthusiastic with the expired Italian seasoning. If you’re interested in pizza-flavored ramen, Totino’s Buffalo chicken pizza ramen is the way to go.
Credit: Liv Averett / General Mills
- Old El Paso Ramen Noodles Beef Birria
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If you’re not familiar, birria is a Mexican stewy dish of slow-cooked meat (originally goat, now mostly beef). You’ll often find birria tacos or quesadillas served with a side of broth, but you can also get birria ramen, making this Old El Paso ramen the most sensical of the bunch.
Pros: I love this ramen. The broth is delicious—it’s meaty and spicy and super, duper savory. It may not be anywhere near the stuff you get from an actual restaurant or truck, but for an instant noodle soup, it’s incredible. It’s not trying to be anything flashy or new—it’s rich, perfectly seasoned broth with noodles. And, sure, there are some bits of rehydrated beef in there, too, for texture.
Cons: If I’m splitting hairs, I’ll say that the broth doesn’t have the fattiness of a true birria consomme. But, come on, it’s Old El Paso instant ramen in a paper cup! What did you expect? This is the one to buy.
Credit: Liv Averett / General Mills
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!