Rolton Falls Flat for Me, No Matter the Flavor

I'm a huge fan of Asian cuisine, and I've been searching for authentic restaurants in Russia's provinces. Unfortunately, it's not easy to find high-quality food, so I usually cook dishes inspired by recipes at home or grab instant noodles. I've largely ignored Rolton's instant noodles in the past, but this time I was drawn in by the name.

Overall Impression:Product Name: Rolton Kimchi Instant Noodles. I was excited to try this product because of the reference to authentic Korean kimchi flavor.

Country of Origin: Russia. In my opinion, Russian instant noodles still can't match the quality of their Asian counterparts. If you're looking for authentic Asian options, you might want to consider other brands.

Shelf Life: 12 months.

Weight: 90g. It's not a lot, but it's enough for a snack.

Nutritional Value: Rolton Kimchi Instant Noodles is one of the lightest options in its category, with a mere 320 calories. This makes it relatively safe to consume without harming your figure.

Protein: 5g;Fat: 20g;Carbohydrates: 31g.It's also not greasy. However, it'll keep you full for a few hours.

Where to Buy: I bought it at Fix Price, but I know this flavor is available in other retail chains without much hassle.

Price: You can currently get it for around 55 rubles or more.

Ingredients: It's rich in flavor enhancers and aroma compounds, just like most 'fast' meals.

Noodles: wheat flour 1st grade; vegetable oil; tapioca starch; drinking water; iodized salt (salt, potassium iodate, anti-caking agent E551); flavor enhancer and aroma (E621); thickener (guar gum); pH regulators (potassium carbonate, citric acid); leavening agent (sodium bicarbonate).Broth Seasoning: iodized salt; spices (ginger, paprika, cumin, coriander, red chili pepper); potato starch; flavor enhancers and aromas (E621, E635); fried onion (onion, vegetable oil, wheat flour); sugar; dried tomatoes; yeast extract; flavorings (smoked meat (contains gluten), garlic, spice blend, kimchi); pH regulator (citric acid); colorant (E160c); vegetable oil.I'll be honest, more than all these E-numbers, it's the quality of the flour that's got me worried. I think Rollton Kimchi Instant Noodles, just like the rest of Rollton, is marred by the quality of the raw materials. The reason I'm not a fan of the noodles made by this brand is the wheat flour of the 1st grade. It's precisely because of this that the quality of the pasta product suffers, which is particularly noticeable in the taste and texture after cooking.

PACKAGING: a nice plastic container, 1:1 with 'Do-Shirak', wrapped in a bright plastic wrap with all the product information printed on it.

There's no separate insert, ripped the plastic and destroyed all information about the noodles: expiration dates, shelf life, composition, cooking method, and so on. I'm a big fan of the format of these noodle cups with lids. They're super convenient for on-the-go or when you're too busy to eat a full meal at work. And the fact that they come with a lid is a game-changer - you can cook a meal just about anywhere and then easily dispose of the packaging. Plus, the fork inside is a nice touch.EXTERNAL APPEARANCE:

The noodle brick itself looks pretty good, but it has a slightly greyish tint to it.

That's probably a nod to the type of flour used. And unlike Asian-style noodles, this one even in its dry form looks a bit loose and not as densely packed. Inside the cup, you'll find two packets of add-ins: a dry vegetable mix and a broth base. There's also a fork (it's a bit short, but sturdy).

The broth base comes in a plain packet, but when you open it up, you can see that it's got a reddish, powdery consistency.

There's not a lot of greenery or smoky meat - it's mostly there for show rather than flavor or taste.PREPARATION METHOD:: it reminded me of an old ad for powdered drinks.

just add water!

One thing that's consistent with other instant noodle brands is how you prepare this dish. You add the dry seasoning mix and the broth base, then pour in boiling water up to the rim of the bowl, cover it, and let it sit for 5 minutes. And that's it, it's done!

AROMA: The finished dish has a pleasant, spicy aroma from the red pepper, garlic, and smoked meat, with a light tanginess reminiscent of kimchi. I wouldn't say I can pinpoint the kimchi specifically, but there's something about it that makes me feel like I'm at a Korean market, surrounded by all these salads.

TASTE: As for the taste, the broth is pretty good – it's aromatic, moderately spicy, with a noticeable vegetable tang from the marinated cabbage. If I'm being honest, the dish would be pretty tasty and even somewhat authentic, but...

Unfortunately, the noodles themselves are a letdown. When you're cooking them, they seem to soak up all the water, becoming bloated and mushy.

I've gotta say, this instant ramen from Rolton just doesn't cut it for me. The texture is all wrong - it's too soft, too mushy. And that's a total turn-off. It's like eating a sad, overcooked noodle dish that's lost all its flavor. I mean, the broth is actually pretty good, with a nice kick from the kimchi, but the noodles are just a letdown. They're like eating a soggy, overcooked mess that's more like a second course than a satisfying bowl of noodles.

SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE: I've had the Rolton Kimchi Instant Ramen twice now, and both times, it's been a real letdown. The noodles just seem to cool down way too quickly, leaving this weird, greasy aftertaste. It's not the end of the world, but it's definitely not pleasant. And the worst part is, there's just not enough broth to begin with. It's like they're trying to cut costs or something.

In the end, despite the interesting, slightly Asian-inspired flavor from the kimchi, the noodles just can't redeem this product. They're too soft, too mushy, and just plain unappetizing. So, I wouldn't recommend it. 3 stars and that's it for me.

PLUSSES:

- price;

- unique broth flavor;

- moderate spiciness;

- convenient packaging;

MINUSES:

- ingredients;

- subpar noodle quality;

- too little meat and veggies;

- mushy, overcooked noodles;

- not enough broth.

I've been using this thing for a week now, and I've gotta say, the build quality is top-notch. I mean, the buttons feel solid, and the battery life is insane - it lasts longer than I expected. I've been using it non-stop, and I still haven't had to charge it. The customer support has also been great, I had a question about the return policy, and they got back to me within a few hours. I'm really impressed with how easy it is to use, and the value for money is unbeatable. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a reliable product.