Instant noodles have been the go-to quick, comforting, and cheap meal for people all over the world since their invention in the ‘50s.
Sure, they’re no match for the real thing. In recent years, plenty of real ramen shops have popped up all over the United States, bringing all those rich, elaborate flavors stateside. But sometimes, all you really want is that sodium-heavy noodle bowl that cooks in three minutes. When you get a craving, it really hits the spot. I think part of it comes from nostalgia.
Back in the early ‘90s, I ate a lot of ramen – so much, in fact, that I swore the stuff off after a while. Ever eat so much of something that you just can’t bring yourself to eat it ever again? That was me and my trusty cheap packets of instant ramen. Luckily, I got over that after a relatively quick sabbatical.
By then, I had discovered other flavors, too. I finally ventured beyond the standard chicken flavor. I mean, there weren’t a ton of options on the shelf for me, but there were at least a few to mix it up, you know?
Look, I was a kid. I didn’t have the palate of a food critic or anything.
These days, I still don’t have the palate of a food critic, but at least it’s gotten a little better since then. I still eat instant ramen, but now I just like to upgrade it a bit. We call it “fancy ramen” at my house. And today, I’d like to introduce you to some of my favorite ways to dress up that simple package of precooked noodles.
With just a few ingredients, you can really transform that simple dehydrated block of noodles. Vegetables and fresh herbs can be used to add an extra pop of freshness. Add a touch of richness by simmering thinly-sliced pork in the pot. Sometimes I use the included flavoring packet, and sometimes I don’t.
There are some ingredients that will require a little extra cook time, while others won’t. There are some that you’ll cook separately and add in at the end. Plenty of add-ins don’t need any extra attention at all; just throw them in. And don’t forget the garnish for that extra finishing touch!
You might be surprised just how good a simple bowl of instant ramen can be with just a little extra attention. It transforms into a completely different meal. I’ll bet you wish you tried it sooner!
Related: Comfort Dishes To Keep You Warm All Winter Long
Condiments and Spices
The easiest way to dress up a bowl of ramen noodles? It’s a simple addition of condiments and spices. They don’t require any additional cook time, and you just simply throw them in. It’s best to keep it simple, so you don’t wind up with a lot of bold flavors competing with each other. In other words, don’t dump the entire cabinet into the bowl at once.
Take it easy on really salty additions, because those flavor packets are usually pretty full of sodium already. Unless, of course, you’re not using the included flavor packet at all!
Check out some of these tasty options that are easy peasy:
- Miso paste
- Sesame oil
- Curry paste
- Furikake (Japanese seasoning containing seaweed, sesame seeds, and fish flakes)
- Gochujang
- Fish sauce
- Grated fresh ginger
- Vinegar
- Chili garlic sauce
- Sriracha and other hot sauces
- Peanut butter (technically not a sauce, but I think it fits here)
Very Veggie
Adding vegetables is the second-easiest way to upgrade that ramen, next to condiments and spices. There are some of them that don’t even require any extra effort on your part!
Quicker-cooking veggies, like baby spinach, bean sprouts, cabbage, and even shredded carrots will probably be just fine boiling in the broth with the noodles. Certain small frozen vegetables, like green peas and corn kernels, can likely jump in there with noodles, too.
Other vegetables, like broccoli, snap peas, bamboo shoots, and more might need a bit more time. Try adding these to the broth a few minutes before the noodles to make sure they’re cooked through by the time the noodles are ready. That way, you can just pour everything into the bowl all at once.
Some vegetables, like scallions and thinly-sliced greens, don’t even need extra cooking time at all. Throw them on top after the noodles are done!
This is by no means all the vegetable options for your ramen adventure, but here are some ideas to get you started:
- Seaweed
- Daikon
- Sliced mushrooms
- Shredded carrots
- Bean sprouts
- Scallions
- Baby spinach
- Broccoli
- Thinly sliced bell peppers
- Snap peas
- Snow peas
- Shredded cabbage
- Corn
- Green peas
- Diced or thinly sliced onion
- Bok choy
- Bamboo shoots
- Baby corn
Put an Egg on It
Eggs are an ingredient that you’ll commonly find in various kinds of ramen, so it is clearly a great option when dressing up instant ramen noodles. They are an inexpensive way to level up your ramen instantly. They also add extra protein and depending on the way you prepare the egg, they can add a creamy element.
The biggest perk of adding eggs is that it can often be cooked with the ramen noodles in the same pot. That means less work and fewer dishes to wash later. This is true for hard-boiled eggs (if you add them to the pot before the ramen), poached eggs, soft-boiled eggs, and even the “egg drop” style. A fried egg will obviously need to be fried in a separate pan.
If you really want to take your ramen game to the next level, add a Japanese soft-boiled egg. These are soft-boiled eggs that have been peeled and marinated in a soy-based sauce. They are full of umami and have that egg yolk ready to ooze out into your dish.
Here are some of your options when it comes to adding an egg:
- Hard boiled egg
- Poached egg
- Soft boiled egg
- Ramen egg (ajitsuke tamago) – Here’s a recipe to get you started.
- “Egg drop” – This involves whisking an egg first, and then slowly swirl it in as if you’re making an egg drop soup.
- Fried egg
Beef It Up
When you order ramen in a restaurant, they are often flavored, if not topped, with beef, pork, chicken, or seafood. In particular, shoyu ramen, the most common type of ramen, includes sliced pork belly or loin as a topping. So if you’re looking for a way to seriously upgrade those instant ramen noodles, it might be time to add some meat.
There are plenty of ways to introduce protein and tons of flavor to your ramen. Chicken breast, flank steak, and pork are all good candidates here, and the thinner the slices the better. Those thin slices can be added directly to the hot broth that can cook along with noodles. For a seafood twist, shrimp only need to boil for a few minutes – likely the same as your noodles – to be perfect.
If you want to think outside the box, cured meats like bacon and ham will make great candidates that will introduce tons of flavor. So will cut up hot dogs, or even beef jerky – which becomes interestingly tender.
Short on time? Lots of stuff to use up in the fridge? Leftover chicken or steak from dinner last night work, too! Check out these options:
- Thin slices of beef or chicken
- Pork belly, pork loin, or pork tenderloin
- Shrimp and other shellfish
- Last night’s leftovers!
- Beef jerky
- Sliced up hot dogs
Unexpected Ingredients
Have you ever put American cheese in your ramen? If you haven’t, you are really missing out. This is only one of many unexpected ingredients that will really take those noodles to the next level. You can’t ignore these unique ramen add-ins if you’re hoping to up your ramen game.
I’m talking about butter, cheese, fruit, Spam, chili, gravy, and more. You can really take your ramen in any direction your heart desires. After all, that block is really just noodles! Get weird with it and see what works.
- A slice of American cheese
- Velveeta cheese
- Chili – particularly no-bean chili
- Poutine-style with gravy and cheese curds
- “Cream of” soups, like mushroom or celery
- Spam and pineapple
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Tomato sauce
- Fried chicken
Top It Off
Garnishes may feel like an afterthought, but they’re really going to add that extra-fancy element to your upgraded ramen. These are the things that don’t need any cooking time at all, but we’re going to throw them on top at the very end. We’re talking about ingredients like sesame seeds, dried seaweed, pickled ginger, and more. They really add that final touch to your bowl of ramen!
Of course, the toppings you choose will depend on the ingredients you used in your ramen bowl. But, here are some common toppings to get you started:
- Sesame seeds
- Dried seaweed
- A pad of butter
- Crushed peanuts or other nuts
- Fresh parsley
- Kimchi
- Scallions
- Sesame oil
- Red chile flakes
- Black pepper
