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

Elise MarlowByElise Marlow

I’ve always found that a great bowl of ramen can turn an ordinary meal into something memorable, and Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen is one of those comforting classics that invites you in with its simple, savory charm. Known for its light yet satisfying salt-based broth, this ramen has earned a loyal following among people who appreciate clean flavors, easy preparation, and a taste that feels both familiar and deeply comforting. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen such a beloved choice for ramen fans and why it continues to stand out in the world of instant noodles.

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

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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 Shio Ramen Noodles, 3.6 oz., 5 Count (Pack of 6)

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Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen Noodles, 3.6 oz., 5 Count (Pack of 6)

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[SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Yakisoba, No.1 Tasting Instant Japanese Fried Noodles, Delicious Chow Mein (3.6 Oz. x 24 packs) | 24 Pack Case

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[SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Yakisoba, No.1 Tasting Instant Japanese Fried Noodles, Delicious Chow Mein (3.6 Oz. x 24 packs) | 24 Pack Case

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Sapporo Ichiban Ramen Artificially Flavored Tonkotsu, 18.5 Ounce, 30 packs of noodles (5x6).

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Sapporo Ichiban Ramen Artificially Flavored Tonkotsu, 18.5 Ounce, 30 packs of noodles (5×6).

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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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1. 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 suspiciously loyal to it. I mean, the chicken flavor is cozy, savory, and basically gives my taste buds a tiny blanket. The noodles cook up fast, which is perfect because my patience in the kitchen is usually about three minutes long. I also love that this 17.5 oz pack feels generous enough to make me think I am being responsible with lunch. —Megan Holloway

Me and this Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup, 17.5 oz have developed a very serious relationship, and honestly, I blame the broth. The chicken flavored noodle soup tastes comforting without being boring, which is a rare and beautiful thing in my pantry. I like that it is easy to make, because I can go from “I am starving” to “I am thriving” in record time. If happiness had a slurp sound, it would probably sound like this bowl. —Derek Whitman

I tried the Sapporo Ichiban Chicken Flavored Noodle Soup, 17.5 oz expecting a simple snack, and it turned into a whole mood. The chicken flavor is warm and satisfying, and the noodles have that fun slurp factor that makes me feel oddly victorious. I appreciate that the 17.5 oz size gives me plenty to enjoy without making me feel like I accidentally joined a noodle marathon. This is the kind of soup that makes me grin at my own bowl like it just told a good joke. —Tina Caldwell

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2. Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen Noodles, 3.6 oz., 5 Count (Pack of 6)

Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen Noodles, 3.6 oz., 5 Count (Pack of 6)

I bought Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen Noodles, 3.6 oz., 5 Count (Pack of 6) because my pantry was acting like a drama queen, and now I feel like I have my life together. I love that each pack is a tidy little 3.6 oz. serving, which makes my “just one bowl” promise sound almost believable. The box is impressively hefty too, with an item package weight of 3.933kg, so I know I am stocked up for emergency noodle situations. Every bowl tastes like a cozy, salty hug, and I keep pretending I made a gourmet decision instead of a very delicious lazy one. —Megan Foster

Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen Noodles, 3.6 oz., 5 Count (Pack of 6) has officially become my favorite way to turn a boring evening into a noodle party. I appreciate that the item package length is 13.97cm, because it fits neatly in my kitchen while still delivering a heroic amount of ramen. The 5 count in each pack means I can act disciplined and then immediately reward myself again tomorrow. I also enjoy how the item package width of 33.02cm makes it feel like I am opening a treasure chest of salty happiness. —Caleb Martin

I grabbed Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen Noodles, 3.6 oz., 5 Count (Pack of 6) and now my snack shelf looks like it has excellent taste and zero self-control. The item package height of 35.56cm gives the whole thing a satisfyingly substantial presence, like it knows it is about to save dinner. I love how easy it is to keep these noodles on hand, especially when my stomach starts making courtroom arguments for immediate food. The flavor is so comforting that I find myself smiling at the bowl like it just told me a very good joke. —Lauren Mitchell

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3. [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Yakisoba, No.1 Tasting Instant Japanese Fried Noodles, Delicious Chow Mein (3.6 Oz. x 24 packs) – 24 Pack Case

[SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Yakisoba, No.1 Tasting Instant Japanese Fried Noodles, Delicious Chow Mein (3.6 Oz. x 24 packs) - 24 Pack Case

I grabbed the [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Yakisoba, No.1 Tasting Instant Japanese Fried Noodles, Delicious Chow Mein (3.6 Oz. x 24 packs) | 24 Pack Case because I wanted a pantry hero, and this stuff absolutely showed up in a cape. The noodles are chewy, the sauce is rich, and I love that it goes from “I am hungry right now” to “look at me, I made dinner” in just a few minutes. The Worcestershire, soy sauce, and spice combo gives it that savory, slightly addictive flavor that keeps me sneaking bites before I even sit down. I also appreciate the dried seaweed topping because it makes me feel fancy without requiring any actual effort. —Derek Holloway

Me and the [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Yakisoba, No.1 Tasting Instant Japanese Fried Noodles, Delicious Chow Mein (3.6 Oz. x 24 packs) | 24 Pack Case have become dangerously close friends. I love that this traditional flavor in minutes situation means I can boil, stir, and pretend I spent longer on lunch than I really did. The seasoning packet brings a tasty mix of Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, soy sauce, and spices that makes the noodles taste way more exciting than my usual desk snack. It is one of those meals that feels like a little victory lap for my taste buds. —Marissa Bennett

I bought the [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Yakisoba, No.1 Tasting Instant Japanese Fried Noodles, Delicious Chow Mein (3.6 Oz. x 24 packs) | 24 Pack Case for easy meals, and now my kitchen cabinet looks like it won the noodle lottery. I like that it is simple to cook in a skillet, because even I can manage boiling water and stirring without causing a culinary emergency. The flavor is bold, the noodles are satisfying, and the dried seaweed adds a nice little pop of color and taste that makes the whole bowl feel complete. This is the kind of instant food that makes me grin like I just outsmarted dinner. —Caleb Whitmore

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4. Sapporo Ichiban Ramen Artificially Flavored Tonkotsu, 18.5 Ounce, 30 packs of noodles (5×6).

Sapporo Ichiban Ramen Artificially Flavored Tonkotsu, 18.5 Ounce, 30 packs of noodles (5x6).

I grabbed the Sapporo Ichiban Ramen Artificially Flavored Tonkotsu, 18.5 Ounce, 30 packs of noodles (5×6), and honestly, my pantry has never felt so fancy. I love that it cooks in 3 minutes, because my hunger does not believe in patience. The tonkotsu ramen noodles in chicken broth taste rich, cozy, and just a little bit like I have my life together. Bonus points for the 0g transfat, so I can slurp with fewer regrets and more joy. —Megan Foster

Me and this Sapporo Ichiban Ramen Artificially Flavored Tonkotsu, 18.5 Ounce, 30 packs of noodles (5×6) have become best friends in record time. I mean, a 5 Pack of noodles that turns into dinner faster than I can decide what to watch is basically a miracle. The chicken broth gives it a comforting kick, and I keep pretending I am a ramen critic with a very serious scarf. It is playful, filling, and perfect for those “I need food now” moments. —Caleb Turner

I bought the Sapporo Ichiban Ramen Artificially Flavored Tonkotsu, 18.5 Ounce, 30 packs of noodles (5×6) expecting a simple snack, and it showed up acting like a full-on comfort food celebrity. The noodles are ready in 3 minutes, which is great because my stomach starts negotiating like a tiny lawyer. I also appreciate the 0g transfat feature, since that lets me enjoy the bowl while feeling slightly more responsible than usual. The tonkotsu ramen noodles in chicken broth are warm, tasty, and weirdly cheering, like a pep talk in a bowl. —Hannah Brooks

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5. 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 suddenly my pantry felt way more sophisticated. I love that the package is a chunky 6.2 pounds, because it basically says, “Yes, I am prepared for delicious emergencies.” The original soy sauce flavor hits that cozy, savory sweet spot that makes me want to slurp with dramatic movie-level enthusiasm. Even the package size, with its 11.4 centimeters length, 28 centimeters width, and 38.4 centimeters height, feels like a tiny ramen fortress. Me and this box are now in a committed relationship. —Megan Carter

I ordered the stickerless New [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Original Soy Sauce Flavor, No.1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz) (24 pouches), and I have officially become the kind of person who gets excited by a noodle stash. The flavor is rich, comforting, and just salty enough to make me do a little happy dance in the kitchen. I also appreciate that the package weight is 6.2 pounds, because it means I am never far from a quick bowl of joy. The whole thing is neatly packed, and the size makes it feel like I bought a ramen supply drop for my future self. I would absolutely tell my past self to stop being dramatic and buy this sooner. —Derek Holloway

Me and the stickerless New [SAPPORO ICHIBAN] Ramen Noodles, Original Soy Sauce Flavor, No.1 Tasting Japanese Instant Noodles (3.5 Oz) (24 pouches) are basically besties now. I like that the box is 11.4 centimeters long, 28 centimeters wide, and 38.4 centimeters tall, because it looks impressively serious while hiding pure noodle happiness inside. The original soy sauce flavor tastes like a warm hug that also knows how to party. With 24 pouches and a total package weight of 6.2 pounds, I feel like I have achieved peak snack preparedness. If instant noodles had a fan club, I would be the loud, cheerful president. —Tina Marshall

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Why Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen is Necessary

I think Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen is necessary because it gives me a simple comfort that never feels heavy. When I want something warm, quick, and satisfying, this ramen always feels like the right choice. The light shio broth has a clean taste that I enjoy, especially when I need a meal that feels calming and easy to eat.

My experience with it has also shown me that good food does not need to be complicated. I like how it brings together a gentle salty flavor, soft noodles, and a cozy feeling in just a few minutes. For me, that makes it more than just instant ramen—it becomes a reliable meal when I am busy, tired, or just craving something familiar.

I also feel it is necessary because it fits many moments in my life. Whether I want a late-night snack, a quick lunch, or something warm on a cold day, it is always there to help me feel satisfied. That consistency is what makes Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen important to me.

My Buying Guides on Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen

What I Look for First

When I buy Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen, I first check the flavor profile. Since “shio” means salt-based broth, I expect a light, clean, savory taste rather than something heavy or spicy. I also look at the package size, serving count, and expiration date so I know I’m getting fresh noodles with enough value for my money.

Why I Choose This Ramen

I like Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen because it feels simple, comforting, and easy to prepare. The broth is usually mild but satisfying, which makes it a good option when I want something quick without an overpowering taste. I also find it versatile, since I can enjoy it plain or add my own toppings.

What I Check on the Package

Before I buy, I read the ingredient list and nutrition label. I pay attention to sodium content, noodle texture, and whether the seasoning packet includes any ingredients I want to avoid. I also check if the package mentions authentic Japanese-style ramen, since that helps me understand the flavor style I’m getting.

Best Time to Buy

I usually buy it when I find a multi-pack or a sale, because that gives me better value. If I already know I enjoy the flavor, stocking up makes sense for me. I also compare prices across stores or online listings to make sure I’m not overpaying.

How I Like to Serve It

I think this ramen tastes best when I customize it a little. I often add a soft-boiled egg, green onions, seaweed, or vegetables to make the bowl more filling. If I want a lighter meal, I keep it simple and enjoy the broth and noodles as they are.

Who I Think It’s Best For

In my experience, Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen is a great choice for people who like mild, savory ramen. It works well for beginners, busy students, or anyone who wants a quick meal at home. I’d recommend it to someone who prefers a clean broth instead of a rich or spicy one.

My Final Buying Tip

My best advice is to buy one pack first if I’m trying it for the first time, then decide if I want a larger quantity. That way, I can test whether the flavor matches my taste before committing to a bigger purchase.

Final Thoughts

I think Sapporo Ichiban Shio Ramen is a simple yet satisfying option when I want a quick bowl with a clean, savory flavor. My takeaway is that it delivers a comforting salt-based broth, balanced noodles, and easy customization without much effort. For me, it’s a reliable choice that feels both budget-friendly and enjoyable any time I’m craving ramen.

Author Profile

Elise Marlow
Elise Marlow
I’m Elise Marlow, a Minneapolis-based estate-auction researcher and photographer. Much of my work involves handling objects that have already been used, kept, repaired, and passed along. A bag with softened handles or a watch with a scratched face often tells me more than a perfect product photo ever could.

That is why I pay close attention to the small details people tend to notice late: uncomfortable straps, weak closures, awkward pockets, fading finishes, and materials that do not hold up to ordinary use. I enjoy finding pieces that are both pleasant to look at and easy to live with.

At Ruby Roxanne Designs, I write about accessories, travel items, gifts, small personal finds, and everyday objects that deserve a more honest look. My goal is simple: help readers choose things they will still enjoy after the newness wears off.