Ibumie Penang Har Mee Instant Noodle

Ibumie Penang Har Mee Prawn Flavour Instant Noodle from Malaysia.

This instant noodle is supposed to be the instant version of the signature Penang prawn noodle soup from the food haven of Penang in Malaysia.



Inside the packet, are the generic noodle block and 5 sachets. This is more than the usual number of seasoning sachets found in instant noodles packets in this price bracket. There were sachets of seasoning powder, chili powder, "seafood" sauce, seasoning oil and bits of fried shallot.



The noodle block was clean and not overly greasy.



Inside the 5 sachets, clockwise from top right - seasoning oil with colouring, fried shallots, seasoning powder of salt, MSG, shrimp powder and pepper, dried chili powder, thick "seafood" sauce of soy, sugar, MSG, and shrimp powder.




My bowl of hot instant har mee was ready to eat within 4 minutes. Except for the type of noodle used, the colour of the broth did look the part of Penang prawn noodles.

There was, however, none of the signature aroma of Penang prawn noodle soup.



The noodles were generic instant noodles. Curly, soft, bouncy and tasted slightly of wheat.




The broth did not have the full smooth body, alluring aroma, grainy texture and blend of robustly savoury, spicy flavours of Penang prawn noodle soup. The Ibumie "broth" merely tasted salty and mildly spicy in soul less hot water.

The broth did badly in the dip stick test. A lot of oil got stuck to the dip stick. I could not go beyond a couple of spoonfuls for taste testing.

In itself, this instant noodle is palatable as an inexpensive emergency snack but it is not Penang prawn noodles which the label on the packaging claims it emulates.

Ibumie Penang Har Mee Instant Noodle is certified Halal.

Rating: 3.5/10 based on Johor Kaki standardised instant noodle rating system.

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