From his celebrated restaurants to the iconic East Meets West food television show, Ming Tsai has shared his love of food and culture. With this latest product launch, Mings, that taste of authentic Asian cuisine can be enjoyed at home.
Frozen food has been a staple of convenience for decades. Some people might reminisce about the old school images of TV trays and carefully divided plates. Today’s consumer wants more. Convenience might be king, but flavor drives repeat purchases.
Some frozen foods have been more successful than others. A quick few minutes in the microwave can turn chicken nuggets or pizza rolls into a tasty snack. Other foods have not been as common. In today’s world where people want big, bold flavors in every category, Mings fills a void with four delicious options.
Available nationwide at Walmart, Mings features four options, Spicy Dan Dan Noodles, Spicy Beef Ramen, Chicken Ramen and Sweet Chili Chicken and Broccoli. As the names show, these are not your grandpa’s frozen meals.
Through the launch, Chef Ming gracious took some time to enjoy some of the Spicy Dan Dan Noodles with me. That boldly flavored dish is more than just flavor that brings colors to your cheeks. It is an opportunity to share a meal with a side of connection.
Before picking up our chopsticks, Chef Ming shared how cooking food for others started very young. He explained that in his culture, asking someone if they had eaten today opened the door to creating a connection. That sentiment might have started with cooking a simple fried rice for an auntie, and now it has become making food for people across the globe.
Eliciting that joy of happiness and satisfaction is something that Chef Ming does every day. The expansion into this Mings gives him the opportunity to make people happy through his food. Offering a restaurant quality meal, at a reasonable price, with a side of convenience is a win for everyone.
Since we were tasting the Dan Dan Noodles together, Chef Ming explained the process of creating the perfect spice level for this dish. He said, “Mala is Sichuan way of cooking. Ma means to numb, which comes from the Szechuan peppercorns.”
Speaking about the spice, he continued, “it numbs your mouth a little bit so you can prepare you to actually eat more spice. In the Dan Dan, you are going to find the true, authentic flavor. It has been my goal to make the food taste like restaurant quality food.”
Chef Ming Tsai believes, “You can make food taste like restaurant quality as long as you put that amount of effort in it.”
The effort in recipe creation is clear. One bite of the Dan Dan Noodles ignites the palate in the best possible way. The spice level is bold, yet approachable. More like a 6 out of 10, that slow burn and lingering tingle leads to another bite. Before even realizing it, the dish is finished.
Chef Ming spoke about the spice level of the dish. He wanted to be clear, “we are not dumbing down the dishes. We're keeping the authentic flavor and making in the parameters that most Americans like to eat.” There is authenticity, craft, and keen execution in each dish.
Truthfully, the key with this dish is not just the spice level. It is the noodles. Perfecting frozen meal noodles is not easy. Mings succeeds in this task.
While many people will devour one of the Mings dishes directly from the container, they are even better when plated with some additional elements. During our conversation, Chef Ming showed how a simple over easy egg makes the dish’s sauce even more luscious.
In addition to a simply cooked egg, Chef Ming suggested adding some leftover vegetables to the dish. Basically, the Mings can be the foundation for home cooks to leverage their own culinary creativity. From a sprinkle of furikake to finish or a hearty helping of sliced carrots to get a serving of veggies, that Dan Dan Noodles can be served a variety of ways. It ensures that the Mings never get boring.
Lastly. Chef Ming understands that shoppers are cost conscious. Given that one of these dinners is under $5, he hopes that people will make that initial purchase and come back for more. Since eating out at a restaurant can be more than four times as much for a similar dish, it gives people an authentic, yet affordable, alternative.
The biggest takeaway from enjoying a meal of Dan Dan Noodles with Chef Ming Tsai was more than enjoying a delicious dish. The joy of discovering eating happens when we sit at the table and commonality forge a bond that will be remembered every time the flavor is enjoyed.
Mings are available in the Walmart freezer section nationwide by April 2025. The suggested retail price is $4.88.