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)

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?

Decoding the packet

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

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 from 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.

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 — 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, not temperature 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.

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To close — 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.

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