Trader Joe’s Mushroom Rice Noodle Bowl

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Trader Joe's Mushroom Rice Noodle Bowl

There aren’t any Trader Joe’s in my area, so this edition of Food In Real Life comes to you courtesy of reader Emily Tanoury. Thanks Emily!

Looks: “Definitely no corn (although the written description on the back of the packaging never lists corn in the description) and you don’t really see those bits of rehydrated mushrooms. Also, there is not as much separation of the noodles and liquids as the picture depicts. These rice noodles suck up the broth, and the broth and the noodles are all the same color. In the picture the broth looks a little more of a rich brown.” 3 out of 5

Taste: “Wonderful-ness. Not overly salty, but definitely had a mushroom taste to it and the seasonings were quite good as well. The noodles absorbed most of the liquid, but it made it easy to eat with chop sticks. If you are looking for a soup, these noodle bowls definitely are not it, but if you are looking for sticky noodles, these are the best way to go. Missed the corn though.” 4.5 out of 5

9 Comments

  1. Anonymous says:

    I think I would have given it a bit lower than 3 of 5 for looks. Even if the ingredients never listed corn, the picture is deliberately misleading.

    Glad it tasted good, though!

  2. John says:

    Seriously? That tasted good? I don’t think I could bring it to my mouth.

  3. Sandra S. says:

    I just made one of those tonight and I got a very different result — there was definitely more broth (the noodles didn’t really absorb all that much of the liquid) and it was a richer color that what you got. Are you sure you added the right amount of water? I also skipped the oil packet, but I don’t think that would have affected the absorption rate or the color…

    While it’s true that it didn’t include any corn (or the sprinkling of fresh-looking scallions it shows in the picture), the words “serving suggestion” do appear above the picture (albeit in pretty small letters), so I guess they can take some license there.

    Speaking of serving suggestions, I added a couple of ounces thinly sliced leftover cooked steak that I had from the night before to the soup and it complemented it beautifully — even better than I expected — and the added protein made it seem more substantial and “rib sticking.” I would definitely do that again!

  4. Anonymous says:

    How can the looks be 3 out of 5?! Not only is it barely like the box picture, it looks like a backed-up toilet full of paper at a truck stop, complete with indiscriminate splashing around the rim. I’m no snob and would try most of this stuff, but I think you go too easy on the looks on almost every item. I need more vitriol in my packaged-food criticism!

  5. FoodIRL says:

    Now, now… Let’s not get carried away. This was a reader submission, and the Food IRL community is not as jaded and negative as I am (thankfully).

  6. Anonymous says:

    Made the spring onion flavor today, by adding boiling water rather than microwaving. Maybe this was Emily’s problem with the lack of broth? My noodle boll was really good. Like everyone has said, there’s no corn, but the broth is spicy in the best way possible, and considering that it’s nothing but broth and rice noodles, it was very filling.

  7. Samantha says:

    These are a savior for college students. I am on campus for more than 8 hours a day and cant afford the overpriced on campus options. At my work I use the hot water in the water cooler let it sit and enjoy a filling and tasty meal. Beats top raman and souper bowl!!

  8. Kimbers says:

    Err…why do you eat this ‘stuff’. I’m not going to call it food.

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