Costco Kirkland's Pork Shoyu Ramen review

Costco Kirkland's Pork Shoyu Ramen review

 

I saw a lot of hate on social media regarding this ramen, and honestly, I did have second thoughts about buying it because of all those negative reviews. However, when I saw it in person, I really wanted to give it a chance and see whether it was really that bad… because, honestly, it doesn't look bad.

AND!!! I'm so glad I made that decision, because most of social media lied!!! 😂

It is so good!!

It isn't a traditional Japanese-style ramen, but it is a Japanese-style ramen with a Chinese influence, and I think this is where some of the negative reviews went wrong.

Unlike some shoyu ramen bases that can lean heavily into that salty, straightforward soy sauce flavour, this one has much more depth. It is the kind of ramen flavour you could find in a Yokohama Chinatown mom-and-pop shop.

Unlike a more traditional Japanese shoyu-based ramen with a more pronounced shoyu flavour, this broth is filled with ginger, chicken, onion, leek, garlic and scallion (spring onion) flavours.

If you're looking for a traditional, mild Japanese shoyu-based ramen, this probably isn't for you.

But if you're looking for a tasty Chinese-Japanese fusion-style ramen, then this is exactly what it is! :)

About the "authenticity" debate...

My biggest issue with some of the reviews that instantly docked points is the argument that it "isn't authentic."

I saw one review from someone who insisted that their family went on a seven-day trip to Tokyo and said this ramen tasted nothing like the ramen they had there.

Seriously… I think you didn't try enough ramen. 😂

Ramen isn't one single flavour or style. There are so many different regional and restaurant-specific variations, and some broths are thick and rich while others are light and clear. Some are heavily influenced by other cuisines, too.

I can completely understand if the flavour isn't for you — that's personal preference.

But please… don't come in saying something isn't "authentic" just because you were a tourist in a country for a week! >___<

Okay… enough ranting. 😂 Onto the actual product!

Tons of Asian Shiitake mushrooms!

The actual ramen

I liked it!

I hope they keep this around for a little while longer because it genuinely tastes good.

Despite its compact size, I found that it could easily serve 2–3 people, which was a pleasant surprise. It contains three whole marinated eggs cut in half and eight slices of Japanese chashu (チャーシュー).

The broth contains chicken and shiitake mushroom broth, and there is A LOT of shiitake mushroom.

Actually… maybe too much shiitake mushroom. 😂

The broth also leans very heavily into ginger, which can be a good or bad thing depending on how much you like ginger. Personally, I think it works really well, especially now that it's autumn and the weather is getting slightly cooler.

The ginger produces more flavour and warmth than actual heat. It isn't spicy in the traditional sense, but you can definitely feel that warming quality from the ginger, which I really enjoyed as the weather started getting cooler.

The noodles are also chewy and on the thicker side, which I think works really well with this type of broth. They remind me of the thicker noodles I've had at ramen shops in Tokyo that serve richer, thicker broths. The noodles have enough substance to hold up to the broth instead of getting lost in it.

As for the saltiness… this definitely leans on the saltier side. In fact, it is probably saltier than the ramen you typically get in Canada and North America in general.

But it is that very Japanese kind of saltiness that comes with a richer, thicker broth. I'm used to it after living in Tokyo for years, but I can imagine someone who isn't accustomed to Japanese food finding it slightly overwhelming.

As I mentioned above, the broth is thick and coats the noodles really well. And while some people seem to associate thick broth with being "inauthentic," rich and thicker ramen broths absolutely exist in Japan.

For example, Nagi Ramen (凪らーめん) in Shinjuku and Shibuya specializes in Niboshi ramen (煮干しらーめん), which uses dried sardines to create a much more concentrated and distinctive broth. Premium ramen shops can also charge a premium for these more complex broths.

So, no, this isn't trying to be a simple, traditional bowl of shoyu ramen — and I don't think it needs to be.

It's doing its own thing, and honestly, I like it.

Conclusion

Despite all the negative reviews I saw online, I'm really glad I gave this ramen a chance. It isn't the most traditional Japanese ramen I've ever had, but I don't think that is a fair criticism of what it is trying to be.

It's a hearty, rich, ginger-forward Japanese-style ramen with Chinese influences, lots of toppings, chewy thick noodles, and a surprisingly satisfying broth. It is saltier and more intensely flavoured than the ramen many North Americans may be accustomed to, but that is part of what makes this style of ramen so enjoyable to me.

If you go into it expecting a mild, traditional shoyu ramen, you might be disappointed. But if you approach it as a Chinese-Japanese fusion-style ramen with a rich broth, thicker chewy noodles, and lots of ginger, I think you'll appreciate it much more.

For me, this was one of those times when ignoring the social media reviews paid off. 😂

Score: 9.2/10
Website: No website — not currently available on Costco's website.

Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm Review

I tend to avoid cleansing balms because I hate the oiliness and the hassle of cleaning off all the greasiness afterward. But Dr. Althea seems to have fixed that problem with their Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm.

The balm emulsifies almost immediately upon contact with water, which solves my biggest “ick” with cleansing balms in general. It glides and melts onto the skin, and once water is added, it emulsifies and rinses away without leaving that greasy residue behind.

cleansing balm

What it is:

According to Dr. Althea, this cleansing balm is formulated with only 14 essential natural ingredients and is designed to provide a gentle cleansing experience, particularly for sensitive skin.

It is enriched with Madecassoside and plant-based oils to cleanse while keeping the skin soft and hydrated.

Benefits:

• Powerful yet gentle cleansing

• Hydrating and nourishing finish

• Hygienic grinding balm design

The product is also designed to remove sunscreen, makeup, and even waterproof products with a small amount.

My experience

Unlike most cleansing balms I've tried, I wouldn't consider this a deep-cleaning cleansing balm. Depending on your needs and expectations, this could either be a positive or a negative.

It does a good enough job, but it definitely isn't as powerful or "deep-cleaning" as I expected. However, if you have sensitive skin and want a mild and gentle cleansing balm that helps calm redness and protect your skin barrier, this could be ideal.

I appreciated that they added Madecassoside and plant-based oils to help keep the skin hydrated, although I found the moisturizing effect to be a bit too light for my liking. I also really appreciate that there is zero fragrance, which makes it even more appealing for people with sensitive skin.

I tried their recommended "half turn" for melting sunscreen and a "full turn" for melting and removing makeup. After some trial and error, I found that the full turn works best for me. The half turn simply isn't enough to cover my whole face, let alone provide enough balm to properly massage the skin and melt away sunscreen, makeup, and everything else sitting on my face.

The grinding design

One of the things I really like about this cleansing balm is the innovative and hygienic grinding design. It prevents the need for repeatedly dipping your fingers into the container, which makes it feel much cleaner and more hygienic than traditional cleansing balms.

However, there is one frustrating problem: there is always some product left behind on the plate. No matter how hard I try to scoop it out with my fingers, it just won't budge! 😩

It makes me feel like I'm constantly wasting a little bit of product, which is frustrating when cleansing balms aren't exactly cheap.

The packaging

I'm also not entirely sure why they opted for a solid green container. While it looks nice, it makes it impossible to see how much product is left inside.

By the time I realize I'm running out, it's already too late!

I also struggled with the container at first because I assumed it was a screw-top or twist-style container. It isn't — it's simply a lid that clips into place.

The lid is easy to open and close, but it moves around quite easily and doesn't feel particularly tight. Whether that's a pro or a con probably depends on how much you hate fiddling with lids versus how much a loose lid annoys you. 😂

Overall thoughts

This is definitely not the cleansing balm I would reach for when I want a deep, heavy-duty cleanse. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

What I like most is how different it feels from traditional cleansing balms. It melts beautifully, emulsifies quickly with water, leaves behind zero greasy residue, and doesn't have any fragrance. For someone like me who normally avoids cleansing balms because of their oily texture, that's a pretty big win.

The formula is gentle and comfortable, and I can see why someone with sensitive skin might really appreciate it. My biggest complaints are that the cleansing power is a little too mild for me, the moisturizing effect isn't as substantial as I expected, and the grinding design still leaves some product behind.

Conclusion

Overall, Dr. Althea's Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm is an interesting take on the traditional cleansing balm. It solves one of my biggest complaints — that greasy, oily feeling — and the hygienic grinding design is genuinely innovative.

I don't think it's the best choice if you're looking for an intense, deep-cleaning balm, but if you want something gentle, fragrance-free, easy to emulsify, and comfortable on sensitive skin, this is worth considering.

For me, it's a good cleansing balm, but not a perfect one. I love what Dr. Althea was trying to accomplish, and I especially appreciate how cleanly it rinses away. I just wish the cleansing power was a little stronger and the packaging was a little more practical.

Score: 7.8/10
Website: https://doctoraltheaglobal.com/products/pure-grinding-cleansing-balm?srsltid=AfmBOoqvTommIBhuBrLvv1rxilb7rJEO4z-lAOXp0XcIjPFG7aH5ZdX2