A review of European Huel Hot & Savory Cups from a US customer

We just got back from a trip to Europe, where we had some amazing food… including two boxes of European Hot & Savory Cups :laughing: (you might have to open that link in an incognito window or it’ll take you back to the US version)

They weren’t the best food we got there, but they were actually among some of the better meals (especially for their price)!

Compared to the US cups:

  • I absolutely loved the Spaghetti Carbonara, which reminded me of a better Chicken Alfredo. I would buy many boxes and boxes of these if I could, right now and forevermore :heart: My partner did not much care for them, though…
  • Their pasta bolognese is much better than the US version I remember. Seems like it’s relaunching under a different recipe in the US, though… is it now the same as the tasty European version?
  • Their Katsu Curry Noodles is very similar to our Japanese Curry Noodles, maybe even the same. Couldn’t really tell. Didn’t like it either (too sweet-tasting, not quite umami and spicy enough).
  • Their Hoisin Duck is a lot like our Korean BBQ Noodles, but maybe slightly more game-y. I never liked the taste of real duck, so it was a turn-off, but my partner loved it. She also likes the Korean BBQ Noodles and the taste of duck.
  • Their Fiery Chicken Noodles has a similar taste profile to our Spicy Gochujang and Szechuan Spiced noodles, except theirs are much spicier, but in a generic way (i.e. doesn’t have the Szechuan or gochujang flavors… just tastes like a lot of hot pepper). I enjoyed the spiciness, but missed the nuances of ours.
  • Their packaging is different. Instead of coated paperboard like ours, theirs has an inner heat-safe plastic liner wrapped in a thin layer of removal cardboard (better recycling, I guess?). It was a pain to use compared to the US version — the lid keeps snapping closed when I want to keep it open to pour hot water in — and very difficult to travel with, as they tend to pop open in a way the US cups don’t.

All in all, I’m hoping our new Pasta Bolognese is similar to theirs (it was quite tasty), and hoping against hope that Spaghetti Carbonara will make its way here someday… pretty, pretty please? :folded_hands: The US is really lacking in “creamy” flavors right now and that one is extremely good!

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So glad to hear you enjoyed your time in Europe!!! Thank you so much for this thoughtful review!!! :heart:

To clarify a few things here: you’re spot-on, the Katsu Curry and Japanese Curry Noodles are the same recipe, just with different names for different markets!

The new Pasta Bolognese has been released in the US, too, in Meal Pack and Pot form! It’s the same (improved) recipe as the EU. I think it tastes a lot better than before!

I’ll pass along the suggestion to expand the markets where Spaghetti Carbonara is offered.

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Thank you for the thoughtful reply, Hope!