Chinese Noodles In Kigali

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Finding Chinese noodles in Kigali isn’t something you’d expect, but here we are. I picked up a packet of Lao Tan Sauerkraut Beef Noodles (117g + toppings) from the Chinese shop at Nyarutarama, whose name I can’t particularly remember, and decided to see what Chinese instant noodles are actually like compared to the go-to Indomie that’s everywhere in the city.

The flavor: Lao Tan Sauerkraut Beef Noodles (117g+toppings)

Chinese noodles packet on display

Inside the packet were 3 smaller sachets. I probably should have translated the instructions first instead of just tossing everything into boiling water — but honestly, how else would you do it?

Chinese noodles smaller pice packets in the big packet for chinese noodles

Decoding the packet

Before cooking, I ran the wrapper through Google Translate (via Google Lens) because it turns out knowing what you’re eating matters. Confirmed: Beef noodles. Also confirmed: Sauerkraut, which is basically fermented cabbage. Nothing too wild, this also explains the slightly tangy base flavour.

Translated Chinese noodles packet on display showing Lao Tan Sauerkraut Beef Noodles (117g+toppings)

3 Translated Chinese noodles smaller inner packet on display showing text: lao tan pickled cabbage buns, and

Into boiling water they went. I added a marinated, steamed piece of beef and boiled a couple of eggs to go alongside. Fingers crossed.

Serving

Done. Plated it up with microwaved rice, beef stew, boiled eggs, and a proper piece of beef (not from the packet 🙂). The noodles came with their own vegetables in the sachets which was a first for me. Indomie, the default noodle in Kigali, is all spice, no veg. These had actual dehydrated greens in there, which is a noticeable step up.

Serving of chinese noodles in 2 bowls showing noodles and rice and boiled eggs

Here’s a quick video of the end result: two bowls of rice and beef stew alongside the Chinese noodles with eggs and beef.

Chinese noodles in Kigali — shot by rdjarbeng

Review

Solid noodles, they held their shape, didn’t go mushy, and lifted cleanly without a fork full of mush. (No chopsticks. Don’t judge me.)

The sauce had a real kick , pepper hot, but nothing close to unbearable. The sauerkraut tang gave it a depth that regular instant noodles don’t have. Combined with the beef, eggs, and rice, it was a proper meal. 7/10. Would buy again, especially for the vegetable sachets alone.

Ending with a Chinese song

This song has been circulating for years mislabelled as the “Samsung, Women Cheat” song. It’s actually Jin Sheng Yuan (Affinities Of This Life). Felt fitting to end on it.