Tasty, inexpensive, smaller portioned

Butamen Tonkotsu Flavor

Brand: Oyatsu Company

Price: 105 yen

Place of purchase: 7-11

Rating:

The biggest advantage to this product for me is probably the portion size, which is perfect for when you want something warm and salty without committing to a full bowl of ramen. It also makes a fun snack (particularly for kids), and the small size and reasonable price tag means you can easily keep a few in the cupboard for emergency noodle cravings. Aside from the taste, price, and size, the little pig character and bright packaging give it plenty of personality, too. A fun item to purchase! :)

The biggest problem with Butamen is also the thing that makes it appealing, and that's its small size. If you're expecting anything resembling a proper bowl of ramen, you're going to be disappointed and probably hungry. This is a snack, not a meal, and the portion disappears quickly. The tonkotsu flavor is enjoyable, but (and it probably goes without saying) don't expect the rich, creamy depth you’d get from an actual bowl of pork bone ramen. It has the familiar salty, savory character, but it's still instant cup ramen, so the broth is relatively simple.