Featured in Bon Appétit: Baby Star Crispy Ramen Snack Gets the Spotlight

There are few things more rewarding than seeing something you love recognized by people who truly understand taste. For fans of Baby Star, that moment came when Bon Appétit, one of the most respected voices in food culture, published a glowing review of our Baby Star Crispy Ramen Snack. In an article titled “When I’m Too Tired Even to Make Instant Ramen, I Eat Baby Star Crispy Ramen Snack,” culinary editor Genevieve Yam shares a personal story that strikes a chord with snack lovers and busy eaters alike.
In the article, Yam describes Baby Star as the ultimate lazy-day comfort snack — “instant instant ramen” — that delivers salty, savory satisfaction without the effort. A former pastry chef with a palate trained on rich, complex flavors, she shares how Baby Star became her go-to when cooking felt like too much after a long shift. Instead of reaching for another sugary treat, she reached for a handful of crunchy, umami-packed noodle chips.
What makes this piece stand out isn’t just the praise — it’s the emotional resonance. Yam captures a feeling that many of us know too well: exhaustion after a long day, the craving for something comforting, and the joy of having a snack that delivers flavor fast. With Baby Star, there's no need for boiling water or bowls. It’s pure, crunchy relief, straight out of the bag.
The article delves into the origins of Baby Star, describing it as an upcycled innovation that began as a way to use leftover ramen fragments — or "dust noodles" — from the production line. What began as an afterthought has grown into a cultural icon. Manufactured by Japan’s Oyatsu Company, the name literally translates to “snack,” and Baby Star has more than lived up to that promise.
But perhaps the best part of the article is Yam’s flavor commentary. She's tried nearly all of them — garlic, yakisoba, salt, spicy, chicken, and tonkotsu — and offers tasting notes that read like a sommelier describing wine. The chicken flavor is compared to Lay’s BBQ chips with soy sauce depth. The tonkotsu is praised as “a Cool Ranch Dorito–crusted pork chop served with leeks and scallions.” It's not only fun to read, but also makes you want to try every variety just to taste what she’s talking about.
This feature isn’t just great press — it’s a validation of what we’ve known for years: Baby Star is more than a snack. It’s a way of life. Whether you’re a professional chef decompressing after a 14-hour shift or a college student looking for a quick savory fix between classes, Baby Star delivers a consistent, crave-worthy experience every time.
Since 1959, Baby Star has been a staple in Japanese pantries, lunchboxes, and now — increasingly — in American kitchens. It’s incredibly exciting to see our global journey celebrated by a platform like Bon Appétit, especially in their “Highly Recommend” column, which highlights what food insiders are genuinely obsessed with. To be recognized not just as nostalgic or novel, but as essential, is an honor we don’t take lightly.
For those who’ve yet to try Baby Star, this might just be the nudge you need. And for longtime fans, it’s a chance to smile and say, “I knew it before it was famous.”
👉 Read the full article here: Bon Appétit – Baby Star Crispy Ramen Snack
We’re proud to be part of this flavorful moment and even prouder to be the snack that brings joy, convenience, and crunch when you need it most.
