Buzz
Instant noodles are a go-to for quick meals. They’re inexpensive, fast to prepare, and customizable with a variety of add-ins. While instant ramen is the most well-known, anyone who’s explored an Asian grocery store knows that instant noodles come in many forms, and not all are soup-based.
Trader Joe’s has recently entered the world of non-soup instant noodles with their Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles, which they describe as “delightfully chewy” and the perfect “umami-rich noodle base” ideal for pairing with your choice of protein and veggies. They’ve gained popularity on TikTok, though some reviewers have found them a bit bland, needing extra seasoning.
I picked up a 4-pack of these noodles because each serving contains 12 grams of protein—more than double the amount typically found in standard dehydrated wheat noodles. They are indeed chewy and, although not exactly “umami-rich,” they offer a satisfying savoriness that works as a perfect “noodle canvas” for your creativity. A splash of soy sauce, chili oil, fermented hot sauce, or MSG will quickly add that desired umami punch. (Note: While the noodles’ ingredients seem to be vegan-friendly, Trader Joe’s doesn’t officially label them as such.)
A simple way to add more protein to your noodles is by tossing in some meat, tofu, or even a poached or fried egg. However, I went for something new (well, new to me at least) from Trader Joe’s—their Meatless Ground. But what exactly is ‘meatless ground’? It's made from peas.
The term “ground” refers to dried texturized pea protein, which rehydrates and heats in just 10 minutes, transforming into soft, savory crumbles that can replace ground meat in your favorite plant-based dishes. On its own, it has a flavor reminiscent of chicken-flavored ramen seasoning, which I personally enjoy. While it may not mimic the texture of real ground meat, it could easily blend into nachos, vegan shepherd’s pie, or any dish that hides ground meat beneath rich, creamy, cheesy, or salty ingredients.
For under $10, you can grab a bag of Meatless Ground and a pack of Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles. Each Meatless Ground bag contains four 24-gram servings, with 15 grams of protein per serving. Each squiggly noodle pack holds four noodle servings. The noodles take just four minutes to cook to that perfect ‘chewy’ texture, and the ground requires only 10 minutes of steaming. Add the time to bring water to a boil, and you’ve got a 15-minute meal.
What you get is a satisfying vegan noodle bowl with 27 grams of protein for just $2.50, ready in under 15 minutes, and customizable to your taste. As someone who often comes home from the gym on the edge of hunger, this is a game-changer.
You can kick it up with a little peanut butter powder, a spoonful of chili crisp, a dash of MSG, or a swirl of hot sauce. Leftover roasted veggies? Toss those in. Garnish with sliced scallions, sesame seeds, dehydrated caramelized onions, or fried garlic. And if you want to take it over the top, add an egg and enjoy the rich, jammy yolk. The possibilities are endless.
To prepare your noodle bowl, simply follow the package instructions for each component. Once everything is cooked, divide the meatless crumbles into four portions. Set one portion aside for your current meal, and store the remaining crumbles in the fridge for your next bowl. Cook the noodles and mix them with the sauce packet, then add the crumbles and stir everything together. (Avoid adding the crumbles before the sauce, as they will absorb all the sauce, leaving none for the noodles.) Feel free to personalize and garnish with any extras you like, then enjoy your creation.
