![“I wasn't discouraged by some of the obstacles we faced. I learned a lot from the leadership. I found that different people need different ways of receiving feedback — you can't [just] tell them to do something and expect the best. [Some] people needed more incentive. A large part of my role was to figure out what worked for everyone and to figure out how to lead all these separate individuals as a team,” Suhana Bhandare (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/SuhanaBhandare_JasmineHansra-1-1200x798.jpg)
![“This is actually from Randy Pausch Randy P. Brick: ‘Walls are there for a reason. You have to show how much you want to overcome them.’ You have to show how much you want something. That's what I've always been able to do with tennis, Link Crew and getting that internship [with Kushy Baby]. It’s important pushing through that — getting around that brick wall, climbing over it or clawing through it,” Yash Sachdeva (’26) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YashSachdeva_RamBatchu-copy-1200x1002.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Instant ramen is my go-to for rushed school nights, late-night ravings and lazy weekends when I want something fast but still satisfying. After trying more brands than I can count, I started noticing how much they actually differ. So I decided to rank five well-known ramen brands, paying attention not only to how they look on the shelf, but also to how the broth tastes and how the noodles feel with every bite.
5. Sapporo Ichiban
Sapporo Ichiban takes the fifth spot, not because it tastes bad, but because it is simply less memorable than the others. The packaging looks dated with muted colors, a simple design and minimal imagery. The broth leans mild and slightly sweet, but lacks bold, rich flavor, making other ramen more satisfying to eat. Compared to other brands, the noodles feel thin, lacking the bouncy texture that makes great ramen great. Sapporo Ichiban serves as a quick meal, but the experience fades quickly instead of lingering.
4. Maruchan Ramen Noodle Soup
Maruchan is classic and nostalgic because of how widely available the brand is, one of the first instant ramens I ever tried. Although simple, the packaging feels iconic: bold branding and a design that has barely changed over the years. Salty and straightforward, the broth delivers comfort but little complexity. Thin noodles cook in minutes, though they can turn mushy if left in the soup for too long. More than any other brand, Maruchan represents speed and accessibility, which explains why it remains such a staple.
3. Nongshim Tonkotsu Ramen Premium Noodle Soup
Nongshim Tonkotsu Ramen Premium Noodle Soup stands out for its polished, almost restaurant-quality feel. Sleek, minimal packaging immediately signals a step up from typical instant ramen. The broth is creamy with a rich porky depth, layered with flavor but never heavy. Unlike the other brands, this ramen doesn’t include a spicy sauce packet, making it approachable even for those who don’t like spicy soups. The noodles are smooth and slightly thinner than other brands, giving the ramen a more authentic ramen-shop vibe. Overall, it delivers a more sophisticated instant ramen experience without overcomplicating things like going out.
2. Buldak
Buldak earns the number two spot for me because, while I don’t crave intense spice every day, I can appreciate how exciting the flavor is. The sauce is extremely spicy, but it is also savory and slightly sweet, so it feels more balanced than just pure heat. The noodles are thick and bouncy, making them perfect for holding onto the sauce. However, the spice level can be overwhelming and limits how often or how easily it can be enjoyed. Because it is less versatile and not for everyone, Buldak earns second place.
1. Shin Ramen
Shin Ramen takes the top spot and consistently delivers the flavor I expect from a great instant ramen. Bold, recognizable packaging signals a spicy, satisfying bowl even before I open it. The soup hits the perfect balance of heat and umami, rich and deep without ever tasting artificial, which keeps me coming back again and again. Thick, chewy noodles hold up well to the broth, never turning mushy no matter how long I let them sit. I know I can always count on Shin for a bowl that’s flavorful, comforting and exactly what I’m craving.
