For decades, Maruchan’s pork flavored ramen noodles have been a beloved pantry staple. The rich, meaty taste of the salty broth and springy noodles was an instant classic among college students and ramen aficionados alike But in recent years, fans have been dismayed to find this iconic ramen flavor vanishing from store shelves What happened to the pork ramen noodles we once knew and loved?
A Nostalgic Noodle Soup
Maruchan first introduced their instant pork ramen in the 1970s, though some accounts trace it back even further to the 1960s. The eye-catching packaging featured a smiling cartoon pig, an image synonymous with the brand.
Inside was everything needed for a satisfying meal in minutes. Dehydrated ramen noodles dried vegetable bits, and most importantly, a powdered pork broth base were all bundled together. With the simple addition of hot water this produced a rich, meaty broth and satisfying noodles.
Despite containing no actual pork, the soup base delivered a mouthwatering hit of smoky, savory pork flavor. Dried pork or bacon flavoring likely provided the distinctive taste. For college students, office workers, and families alike, Maruchan’s pork ramen was a go-to quick bite for decades.
Clear Signs of Vanishing Pork Ramen
In 2021, loyal Maruchan fans began realizing that locating the familiar pork ramen was becoming strangely difficult. Listings disappeared from major online retailers like Amazon. At grocery stores and convenience shops across America, shelves once well-stocked with pork ramen now sat empty.
By mid-2022, the pork ramen seemed to have totally vanished. Aside from a few sparse sightings packs of the pork-flavored noodles were impossible to find. Understandably ramen aficionados were in dismay. What had happened to this beloved noodle soup staple?
Theories Behind the Mysterious Disappearance
Maruchan never provided a definitive public explanation for ceasing production of the pork ramen. Inquiries received vague responses about supply chain issues leaving certain ingredients unavailable.
This suggests shortages of one or more crucial ingredients used in the pork seasoning likely caused the halt in production. With raw materials in short supply after COVID-related slowdowns, Maruchan couldn’t obtain what was needed to keep producing their pork ramen to meet demand.
Many fans speculate specifically that shortages of the proprietary pork extract used to flavor the broth may be to blame. Without this vital element, reproducing the exact meaty taste pork ramen fans expect would be impossible.
Is the Pork Ramen Gone for Good?
As of late 2022, Maruchan’s website still lists a pork ramen product among its offerings. This provides hope that once supply issues resolve, a revival of the pork flavor could happen.
Some stores list the pork ramen merely as “out of stock” rather than totally discontinued. Additionally, fans occasionally spot rare packages in small independent shops, indicating limited production runs.
However, Maruchan has yet to make any official statement on when the pork ramen might return in full force. For now, lovers of the rich, hearty soup simply have to wait and hope.
Fans Pay Homage to the Vanished Pork Noodles
In the meantime, ramen aficionados are finding creative ways to satisfy their pork ramen cravings. Many have begun hoarding any remaining packages they can find to savor this scarce resource.
Online communities have swapped recipes for DIY seasoning oils and broth powder mixes to mimic the elusive pork flavor. Home cooks have labored to reconstruct the balance of smokiness, sweetness, and spice that made it so craveable.
Still, most ramen purists argue nothing fully captures the nostalgic magic of Maruchan’s original pork ramen. They continue monitoring retailers in hopes of spotting the return of their beloved noodles.
What the Future Holds for Pork Ramen
The disappearance of Maruchan’s pork ramen remains a tragic mystery in the instant noodle world. Whether supply chain problems or lack of consumer demand factored into its vanishing is unclear.
Ramen lovers hold out hope that one day they’ll again be able to “Pork Their Chops” as Maruchan’s old ads declared. But the company has given no hints regarding if or when pork ramen’s return might happen.
For now, fans must content themselves with occasionally spotting lone pork ramen packages like rare treasures. But the dream remains that store shelves will eventually overflow with Maruchan’s rich and meaty noodle soup once more.
Until then, we’ll fondly remember the cozy comfort and nostalgia a steaming bowl of pork ramen once brought. Here’s hoping this iconic flavor isn’t gone forever, and makes a comeback to satisfy all our ramen cravings again soon!
Have you seen pork ramen out in the wild? Share any sightings to give hope to all the ramen fans awaiting its return!
What’s insideWhat’s inside
Hog-wild fans cant get enough of the rich, sweet and mildly meaty notes in this broth.
RAMEN%20NOODLE%20INGREDIENTS:%20ENRICHED%20WHEAT%20FLOUR%20(WHEAT%20FLOUR,%20NIACIN,%20REDUCED%20IRON,%20THIAMINE%20MONONITRATE,%20RIBOFLAVIN,%20FOLIC%20ACID),%20VEGETABLE%20OIL%20(CONTAINS%20ONE%20OR%20MORE%20OF%20THE%20FOLLOWING:%20CANOLA,%20COTTONSEED,%20PALM)%20PRESERVED%20BY%20TBHQ,%20CONTAINS%20LESS%20THAN%201%%20OF:%20SALT,%20POTASSIUM%20CARBONATE,%20SOY%20SAUCE%20(WATER,%20WHEAT,%20SOYBEANS,%20SALT),%20SODIUM%20CARBONATE,%20SODIUM%20HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE,%20SODIUM%20TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE,%20MONOSODIUM%20PHOSPHATE%20SOUP%20BASE%20INGREDIENTS:%20SALT,%20MONOSODIUM%20GLUTAMATE,%20CONTAINS%20LESS%20THAN%201%%20OF:%20MALTODEXTRIN,%20SUGAR,%20HYDROLYZED%20CORN%20PROTEIN,%20HYDROLYZED%20WHEAT%20PROTEIN,%20HYDROLYZED%20SOY%20PROTEIN,%20DEHYDRATED%20SOY%20SAUCE%20(WHEAT,%20SOYBEANS,%20SALT),%20DEHYDRATED%20VEGETABLES%20(ONION,%20GARLIC,%20CHIVE),%20YEAST%20EXTRACT,%20PORK%20BROTH,%20CARAMEL%20COLOR,%20SPICES,%20NATURAL%20FLAVOR,%20VEGETABLE%20OIL%20(PALM),%20DISODIUM%20GUANYLATE,%20DISODIUM%20INOSINATE,%20LACTOSE CONTAINS WHEAT, SOY, AND MILK INGREDIENTS. MANUFACTURED IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO PROCESSES CRUSTACEAN SHELLFISH AND SESAME PRODUCTS. CONTAINS A BIOENGINEERED FOOD INGREDIENT.
The hidden danger of ramen noodles
FAQ
Is there pork flavored ramen?
What happened with ramen noodles?
Can Muslims eat pork flavored ramen?
Why does ramen taste different now?
What if ramen noodles were strung together?
Maruchan produces 3.6 billion packages of Ramen Noodle Soup a year. If the noodles were all strung together they would reach all the way from earth to the planet Mars and back. How do you pronounce “ramen”?How do you pronounce “ramen”? “Ramen” is pronounced by combining the syllables: Ra (rah) Men.
Is it healthy to have ramen noodles?
Though instant noodles provide iron, B vitamins, manganese, they lack fiber, protein and other crucial vitamins and minerals. Additionally monosodium glutamate and high content of sodium may negatively affect health. Such as by increasing the risk oh cancers, heart disease and metabolic syndromes. Hence they are not recommended on a regular basis.
Is ramen made with pork broth?
Chances are, if you’ve ever ordered ramen from a Japanese restaurant, the soup you got was made with pork broth. This is known as tonkotsu ramen, and it’s perhaps the most recognizable kind of ramen to people in the West. It’s used because it has a deep, umami flavor that’s even more savory than chicken and perhaps even beef broth.
Are ramen noodles vegan?
Another instant noodle brand that’s suitable for vegans, Dr. McDougall’s ramen products bears a face of an affable looking Doctor who clearly has never worked in a Japanese kitchen before, but has had a lot of success in getting Americans to live healthier lives through his McDougall Program.