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12-Pk 2.25oz. Maruchan Instant Lunch Ramen Noodle Cups (Chicken Flavor)
$3.00
$5.31
43% off
w/ S&Sat Amazon
w/ S&Sat AmazonDeal Details
Amazon has 12-Pack 2.25oz. Maruchan Instant Lunch Ramen Noodle Cups (Chicken Flavor) on sale for $5.31 - 5% ($0.27) Subscribe & Save - Extra $2 Off coupon found on product page = $3.04. Shipping is free w/ Prime or on $35+ orders.
Thanks to Deal Hunter phoinix for finding this deal
Note, must clip the coupon found on product page for discount to apply at final checkout
Other variety/flavor is available when you clip the $2 Off coupon (found on product page)
Thanks to Deal Hunter phoinix for finding this deal
Note, must clip the coupon found on product page for discount to apply at final checkout
Other variety/flavor is available when you clip the $2 Off coupon (found on product page)
Editor's Notes
Written by Discombobulated | Staff- Price Research
- This deal will run you roughly $0.25/instant lunch ramen cup
- About the Deal
- Savory and comforting Japanese-style instant ramen noodles with a mild chicken flavor, enriched with umami notes and a few hearty vegetables; simple, satisfying, easy-to-slurp chicken soup
- Coupon are typically limited to one per account
- Product is non-returnable due to food safety reasons
- Offer valid while coupon savings/supplies last
- Additional Details
- Don't have Amazon Prime? Students can get a free 6-Month Amazon Prime trial with free 2-day shipping, unlimited video streaming & more
- If you're not a student, there's also a free 1-Month Amazon Prime trial available
- You can manage your Subscribe & Save subscription at any time after your order ships. View Subscribe & Save filler items and our current Subscribe & Save Frontpage deals to unlock up to an extra 15% savings when you have 5 or more items in your current monthly subscription.
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Amazon has 12-Pack 2.25oz. Maruchan Instant Lunch Ramen Noodle Cups (Chicken Flavor) on sale for $5.31 - 5% ($0.27) Subscribe & Save - Extra $2 Off coupon found on product page = $3.04. Shipping is free w/ Prime or on $35+ orders.
Thanks to Deal Hunter phoinix for finding this deal
Note, must clip the coupon found on product page for discount to apply at final checkout
Other variety/flavor is available when you clip the $2 Off coupon (found on product page)
Thanks to Deal Hunter phoinix for finding this deal
Note, must clip the coupon found on product page for discount to apply at final checkout
Other variety/flavor is available when you clip the $2 Off coupon (found on product page)
Editor's Notes
Written by Discombobulated | Staff- Price Research
- This deal will run you roughly $0.25/instant lunch ramen cup
- About the Deal
- Savory and comforting Japanese-style instant ramen noodles with a mild chicken flavor, enriched with umami notes and a few hearty vegetables; simple, satisfying, easy-to-slurp chicken soup
- Coupon are typically limited to one per account
- Product is non-returnable due to food safety reasons
- Offer valid while coupon savings/supplies last
- Additional Details
- Don't have Amazon Prime? Students can get a free 6-Month Amazon Prime trial with free 2-day shipping, unlimited video streaming & more
- If you're not a student, there's also a free 1-Month Amazon Prime trial available
- You can manage your Subscribe & Save subscription at any time after your order ships. View Subscribe & Save filler items and our current Subscribe & Save Frontpage deals to unlock up to an extra 15% savings when you have 5 or more items in your current monthly subscription.
Community Voting
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Community Reviews
Maruchan Instant Lunch chicken cups are a quick, small-format ramen option that stands out for convenience and easy customization. The cups are smaller than 3 ounce bowls and 4.5 ounce bricks, and the noodle texture is noticeably different from packet ramen because the cup version is made to hydrate faster. Flavor can be improved by cutting back the seasoning, using Better than Bullion instead of water, and adding a hard boiled egg. The main drawbacks are the foam cup packaging, the small size, and deal issues when the extra coupon or advertised price does not appear.
Common Questions (5)
The coupon did not appear for several shoppers, so the advertised discount could not be replicated. One shopper was able to place two separate orders and apply the coupon, but others only saw the base price plus Subscribe & Save.
Cup noodles and packet noodles use different formulations and dehydration methods. Cup noodles are thinner and more porous so they can hydrate from hot water in the cup, while packet noodles are denser and designed for boiling, which gives them a firmer bite.
Yes, these cups are foam rather than paper. That packaging choice is a downside for shoppers trying to avoid foam or reduce microplastics exposure.
The 2.25 oz cups are smaller than 3 oz bowls and much smaller than 4.5 oz Nongshim bricks; even Nissin is larger. If you want a fuller serving, this is the smaller cup format.
Cut the seasoning packet by about half, replace the water with Better Than Bouillon, and add a hard-boiled egg. That makes the broth richer and adds more protein and texture.
AI-generated summary based on comments from the community. Updated ago
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37 Comments
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Maruchan cup noodles and Maruchan packet noodles use different noodle formulations and different dehydration methods, which is why the texture is noticeably different.
This isn't just subjective — the manufacturing processes for cup noodles and packet noodles are not the same, and the differences are intentional.
Below is the exact, evidence‑based explanation grounded in the search results.
⭐ Core Reason: Cup noodles use thinner, more porous noodles designed for soaking, while packet noodles use denser noodles designed for boiling.
Cup noodles must hydrate with only hot water poured into a cup, while packet noodles are designed for active boiling at 212°F. This leads to major structural differences.
🧩 1. Cup noodles are made with more porous noodles
Cup noodles use a special dehydration technique that creates microscopic holes throughout the noodle surface.
This is confirmed in food science analysis:
- Cup noodles use thinner, more porous noodles designed for passive soaking.
This porosity allows hot water to penetrate quickly without boiling, but it also makes the noodles:- softer
- more fragile
- quicker to become mushy
- less "springy"
🧩 2. Packet noodles are denser and require boilingPacket noodles are extruded with higher density and rely on the sustained high temperature of boiling water to properly gelatinize the starch.
- Packaged ramen uses denser strands that require active boiling for proper starch development.
This gives packet noodles:- firmer bite
- more chew
- better "snap"
- more authentic ramen‑like texture
🧩 1. Cup noodles are flash‑fried to create micro‑porosityCup noodles are steamed, then flash‑fried in oil at very high temperature.
This does two things:
✔ A. Removes water extremely fast
The rapid evaporation creates tiny voids inside the noodle.
✔ B. Makes the noodle structure more brittle and porous
These pores act like capillaries that suck in hot water quickly.
This is why cup noodles:
- hydrate fast
- get soft easily
- can become mushy
- have a lighter, spongier texture
Packet noodles are also fried, but not to the same porosity level.🧩 How packet noodles are fried (step‑by‑step)
1. Dough mixing
Packet noodles use:
- higher‑protein wheat flour
- more gluten development
- lower water content
- stronger dough structure
This creates a noodle that can withstand boiling without falling apart.2. Rolling and cutting
The dough is rolled into sheets and cut into thicker, longer strands than cup noodles.
Cup noodles are cut short and thin so they hydrate evenly in a cup.
3. Steaming
Both packet and cup noodles are steamed before frying.
Steaming:
- gelatinizes starch
- sets the noodle structure
- prepares it for dehydration
4. Flash‑fryingThis is the key part.
Packet noodles are fried in palm oil at ~300–350°F, but:
✔ Shorter fry time
Just enough to remove moisture and stabilize the noodle.
✔ Lower porosity
The frying is controlled so fewer air pockets form.
✔ Higher density
The noodle stays firm and elastic.
✔ Designed for boiling
The noodle expects:
- 212°F water
- agitation
- full hydration of the core
Cup noodles are fried longer and hotter to create spongy, porous noodles that hydrate with soaking only.5. Cooling and packaging
Packet noodles are cooled and packaged with seasoning.
Cup noodles are placed into cups and often receive additional drying steps.
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