Nissin Strongest Donbei Kitsune Udon Review

I like the regular Nissin Donbei Kitsune Udon noodle bowls and this special edition of Donbei called the "Strongest Donbei" is no exception.  There are also regional varieties for Donbei udon noodles such as for the "east" and "west" parts of Japan, but the "strongest" stands on its own.  This one has the tagline "Everything is the leading role" to make it the best / strongest of its varieties.  When I first opened the bowl I certainly noticed the impressively thick rectangle of fried tofu that came with it!

The Nissin Donbei instant kitsune noodle bowl with the extra large and thick fried tofu makes this kind of Japanese cuisine conveniently available. The slightly flattened udon noodles have a combination of thickness and chew to them.  The dashi soup is made with six kinds of ingredients characterized by the dried bonito, kelp, and soy sauce used.  This is not a spicy dish, but the spice adds both citrus notes and a bit of heat.

The lid of the bowl has the logo in bright gold lettering and trim on a deep green background.  It is quite pretty and shows the product has class.  The bottom half of the lid shows a big piece of fried tofu in the centre, with a spoon of tasty broth on the left and thick udon noodles on the right.  It sure looks tasty.  There are plenty of characters describing the ingredients on the lid.

3/4 view showing the Donbei logo on the side.  The gold here is muted.

Ingredients.

Allergen and nutritional information.

Preparation instructions and warnings along with manufacturer's information.

The contents of the package.  You get a big block of wide flat noodles, a block of tofu, and a soup base and spice packet.

Look how thick that fried tofu is.  I really looked forward to eating it.  The dehydrated tofu is like styrofoam and hard / brittle when dry, but becomes spongy, sweet, and savoury when rehydrated.  If you like dashi, udon noodles, and fried tofu then this is for you!

Soup base and yuzu spice packet.

Closeup of the udon noodles.

You add boiling water to rehydrate the noodles and tofu at the same time.  The tofu isn't supposed to be hard.

The finished product with yuzu spice sprinkled on top.  You can see some green onion and fish cake too.

Nissin's Donbei Kitsune Udon instant noodle bowl is an excellent choice for those who love  udon and sweet and savoury fried tofu.  The thick udon noodles have a chewy texture that is perfectly complemented by the rich dashi soup stock, which is made with six different ingredients, including kelp. The inclusion of a piece of fried tofu that is thicker than usual, as well as the special Yuzu Shichimi Chili spice packet, adds an extra layer of flavor and depth to the dish. This spice packet, specially formulated by the long-established Yawataya Sogoro in Nagano Prefecture, takes the taste to the next level. The citrusy yuzu scent and flavor was prominent, and it balanced well with the fishy dashi aroma when added to the soup. The green onion flakes, fish cake half discs, and sweet soy flavor of the tofu also added depth to the overall flavor profile. I particularly loved the spongy texture of the tofu.

Everything in this bowl was in the leading role, and it all came together in perfect harmony. I would highly recommend this instant noodle bowl to anyone looking for a satisfying and flavorful meal. It truly lives up to its name as "the strongest Donbei".

Closeup of the noodles.

 

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