What Does Oriental Flavor Taste Like? [How To Describe?..]

If you’re a fan of instant noodles and wondering what oriental flavor tastes like, you have come to the right place. It refers to a distinct flavor profile used in ramen (quick-cooking noodles).

Oriental ramen is usually made with garlic, turmeric, onion, ginger, soy sauce, salt, and pepper seasoning, which feels delicious when eaten. This article discusses oriental flavor ramen in detail to help you understand whether or not it’s the right flavor for you.

The oriental flavor offers a savory, flavorful yet relatively mild taste because of the ingredients used. It’s a basic umami flavor type that sometimes also offers a flavor somewhat similar to beef ramen and it doesn’t feel spicy at all.

Taste of Oriental Flavor

“Oriental flavor” is a term that can be quite broad and is often used to describe a range of tastes associated with various East Asian cuisines. East Asian culinary traditions, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and others, encompass a diverse array of flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques.

It’s important to note that the term “Oriental” is now considered somewhat outdated and is often replaced with more specific references to individual cuisines.

In general, Oriental flavors may include a balance of sweet, salty, sour, and umami elements. Common ingredients in East Asian cuisine include soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and various spices. Umami, the savory taste often associated with ingredients like soy sauce and miso, is a distinctive feature.

Each East Asian cuisine has its own unique flavor profile. For example, Chinese cuisine often balances sweet and savory flavors, while Japanese cuisine may highlight the natural flavors of fresh ingredients with minimal seasoning. Korean cuisine is known for its bold and spicy flavors, often featuring fermented ingredients like kimchi.

In essence, Oriental flavor can vary widely, but it generally reflects the delicious and nuanced tastes found in East Asian culinary traditions.

Is Oriental Flavor Vegetarian?

Other than Nissin Top Ramen oriental packs, all the oriental flavored ramen packs by other brands are not vegetarian. All the Nissin Top Ramen are advertised and sold as vegetarian ramen packets because they don’t contain meat or other animal products.

The Maruchan Ramen flavors on the other hand are non-vegetarian because they come with seasoning packets that contain dried animal stock or fish by-products. It means you can eat these ramen noodles only if you are a non-vegetarian.  

Can You Still Buy Oriental Flavor Ramen Noodles?

Yes, you can still buy oriental flavor ramen noodles but almost all of them are now sold with a different name. The Maruchan brand renamed its oriental flavor ramen and now it’s called Soy Sauce flavor.

Keep in mind that the flavor, as well as recipe, of the ramen noodles, remain the same, which means you can expect the same taste it used to offer.

Why Did Companies Change the Oriental Flavor Name?

The term “oriental” is considered to be controversial and outdated. People no longer like to use this term because of its history. In fact, the term is considered politically incorrect and the law doesn’t allow you to use it in the US official documents.

That’s why most companies, including Japanese ones, don’t use oriental for their instant noodles and renamed their oriental flavors. The term oriental was coined by people from Europe and they used it to describe products and people from Asia during the era of colonization.

It also means that using this term shows very little, or no, care for the correct origins of products or people. Rather than saying “from Japan, China, or Korea” the term oriental simply means “from over there”. It is somewhat degrading and that’s why companies have renamed their products to be inclusive and politically correct.

What is in Oriental Flavor?

The Oriental flavor is not a new taste as it has been around for centuries. It’s extremely cheap and that’s why this flavor was so popular back in the day. The oriental flavored products that contain MSG and sodium in high amounts aren’t considered to be the healthiest.

But you can find products with this flavor that don’t have MSG like Nissin Top Ramen products. The main taste of oriental flavor comes from the following:

• Turmeric
• Garlic
• Onion
• Soy sauce
• Ginger

Keep in mind that most oriental flavors are made by using about 30 ingredients and other than the ones mentioned above are artificial flavorings and additives.

What Does Chili Ramen Taste Like?

You might be thinking that a soup broth with chili ramen should offer a bold and very spicy flavor. But most products with chili ramen flavor offer a slightly spicy flavor. That’s why you should not expect extra spice. It certainly doesn’t mean that chili ramen tastes bad. It simply doesn’t have enough spice that most people expect in their chili ramen soup.

However, if you want some extra flavor, we do have a simple yet effective trick for you. You can simply cut down the amount of water that you add to make your chili or chicken ramen. You can also add some chili powder if you want but reducing the amount of water will allow you to enjoy an overall stronger taste.

How Do You Make Oriental Flavor?

You can easily make your own oriental flavoring at home if you want. All you need to do is to use the following tips and it’ll allow you to make a healthier recipe. Additionally, you can also increase or decrease the amount of each ingredient used to adjust the flavor according to your taste.

• Onion powder: 2 tablespoons
• Ground ginger: 2 tablespoons
• Garlic powder: 2 tablespoons
• Ground black pepper: 2 tablespoons
• Lemon: 1 small size
• A pinch of salt

First, mix all these ingredients together in a bowl gently. After that use your oven or dehydrator at a low temperature to remove moisture and then store your oriental flavor in an airtight container.

You can use this flavoring to substitute the flavoring packet that an instant ramen pack offers. For an extra kick of flavor, you can also mix dried chives in the flavoring if you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Mr. Noodles Oriental Taste Like?

Mr. Noodle Oriental offers a little bit of salty, sweet, and soy taste. Overall, you’ll feel a very light flavor that’s not overly salty. This saucy noodle feels like a combination between the pot noodle and Top Ramen noodle.

What Flavor Is Oriental Ramen Supposed to Be?

Ideally, oriental ramen should offer a savory, flavorful, and non-spicy taste. You should not expect it to offer a strong and spicy flavor because the ingredients, along with the additive, used to make oriental ramen don’t make it spicy, even the chili ramen. If you want a bolder and stronger taste, consider using less water and adding some extra chili powder.

What Is the Best Flavor of Ramen?

It depends upon your personal preferences. However, after testing multiple ramen flavors, we concluded that the top ramen chicken is the best flavor of ramen. It’s a tacky and gaudy chicken soup that you can finish within a matter of a couple of minutes.

The Top Ramen Chicken offers a perfect combination of chicken broth and the texture of starch. Chili flavor and roast chicken flavor are two other ramen noodles that we also liked a lot.

Conclusion

In our exploration of Oriental flavor, we’ve uncovered a rich and diverse palette that spans a vast culinary landscape. The term “Oriental flavor” encompasses a wide range of tastes, aromas, and textures that reflect the unique culinary traditions of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and beyond. From the umami depth of soy sauce to the aromatic notes of ginger, garlic, and five-spice, Oriental flavor is a symphony of tastes that captivates the senses.

The balance of sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami creates a harmonious and nuanced culinary experience. Each dish tells a story, offering a glimpse into the cultural heritage and culinary artistry of the East. Whether savoring a bowl of ramen, indulging in the complexity of a Thai curry, or enjoying the delicate flavors of sushi, Oriental cuisine invites us on a flavorful journey that transcends geographical boundaries.

As you embark on your own culinary adventures with Oriental flavors, let your taste buds be your guide. Experiment with a variety of ingredients, cooking techniques, and regional specialties to discover the vast and intricate world of Oriental taste. Share your experiences, recipes, and favorite Oriental dishes with others, celebrating the diversity and richness that Oriental flavor brings to the global dining table.

Happy tasting!

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