Ramen noodles are an affordable, convenient college dorm room staple that offers convenience. But after awhile they may start to taste a little bland.
With some creativity, you can transform a bowl of ramen into an exciting new dish. Try these tasty recipes and make your noodle dreams come true!
1. Marinate Your Toppings
If you like your ramen noodles with plenty of protein and vegetables, marinate them beforehand. Doing so allows the ingredients time to absorb the flavors from the marinade, giving your toppings a more nuanced, rich taste.
Marinating meat, chicken or fish requires a marinade with flavorings such as soy sauce, vinegar, oil, honey, salt and pepper. Some marinades also incorporate herbs and spices for extra flavor.
Ramen can be topped with a variety of toppings, such as shredded pork or tofu, fresh vegetables and even an egg. When selecting what goes in your broth, choose flavors that work together harmoniously.
Ramen noodles are often topped with a runny, jammy soft-boiled egg. Restaurants typically boil and marinate these eggs in a soy sauce and dashi mixture before serving, but you can easily replicate this process at home by mixing up the marinade in either a glass, stainless steel or food-safe plastic bowl before submerging your eggs in it.
Once the eggs have marinated, remove them from their bowl and place in a zip-top bag. Seal the bag completely submerging the eggs before storing in your refrigerator.
While your ramen is cooking, be sure to marinate the pork and vegetables you plan on topping it with. Doing this allows them to absorb broth from soy sauce and dashi, adding flavor to your broth.
Once your ramen is cooked, pour the broth over the noodles and top off with a fried egg and fresh greens. Bok choy, scallion, and sesame seeds add just enough crunch and texture for an irresistible dish!
For a Thai-inspired ramen, forgo the flavor pack and instead mix peanut butter with sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger and chili flakes. You can also add chopped scallions and sesame seeds for additional color.
Add some vegetables, a splash of broth and some peanut butter to any ramen for an incredibly satisfying and healthy meal. You could even use this as the basis for other noodle dishes like homemade soups or stir-fries.
2. Cook Your Noodles in a Flavorful Liquid
If you’re looking to eat healthier and save money, cooking your noodles in a flavorful liquid might be the solution. Instead of using packet seasoning, try boiling your noodles in miso paste, chicken broth or bouillon instead – an easy way to incorporate healthy benefits without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
An effective way to boost protein and vitamins is by adding vegetables. While ramen can be a satisfying meal on its own, adding frozen veggies, meat or cheese makes the dish feel more substantial and filling.
Take this idea a step further by adding a fried egg on top of your noodles. This delicious dish is ideal if you need an easy yet filling recipe that will leave you feeling full and contented.
When making this dish, use only fresh ingredients such as ginger, garlic and onions for maximum flavor.
Ramen salads can be paired with salad for an energizing and filling meal. This version uses noodles instead of traditional croutons, creating a crunchy topping perfect for any type of salad.
This ramen recipe is ideal for those on a tight budget and without much time to cook. It also makes an ideal meal-on-the-go option for students.
You will need a bowl of instant ramen noodles, some soft-boiled eggs, leftover meat and your favorite Asian sauce. Heat up the ramen before adding in the eggs, meat and sauce of choice; this meal will satisfy your hunger without needing to visit the grocery store!
If you’re looking for a nutritious way to make your ramen dinner more flavorful and nutritious, try creating a creamy broth from cornstarch and water. Slowly drizzle this slurry into your soup for an ultra smooth and velvety ramen soup that will surely leave everyone satisfied.
3. Make Your Own Sauce
Ramen is a go-to college meal choice for students who need something quick or need to stay within budget. But whether you’re enjoying instant ramen from a box or making your own homemade noodles, it’s essential that the food you consume be nutritious and flavorful.
Ramen bowls can be spiced up and flavorfully with various toppings. A bacon and soft-boiled egg garnish is an easy way to jazz up the noodles, while making your own sauce is another delightful way to customize your Ramen experience.
To make this delicious sauce, you’ll need the following ingredients: butter, garlic cloves, brown sugar, soy sauce and chili flakes. If desired, you may add some water for a thickening effect.
Once all your ingredients are prepped, whisk together the sauce in a medium bowl. Cover and store in the fridge until use.
If you don’t have time to make your own sauce, you can purchase pre-made ramen packets or noodles from an Asian grocery store. Store-bought versions usually include soy sauce; however, making your own homemade shoyu ramen broth is simple too.
Follow the directions on your ramen package to cook according to package instructions. After cooking, stir in some of the sauce and garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds for extra flavor.
This quick and simple stir-fry ramen recipe is perfect for using up leftover protein like chicken, beef or tofu. It’s a flavorful and healthy dish that can be eaten for lunch or dinner.
To make this recipe successful, start by stirring-fry your aromatics before pouring over the noodles. Doing so gives your ramen an added umami taste and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare – perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Keep this meal from becoming monotonous by adding in various vegetables. Vegetables such as peas, green beans, carrots and corn make excellent additions. For extra color and texture you could also add shredded cabbage or thinly sliced kale.
4. Add a Scoop of Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is an incredibly delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used in various ways. It’s low-carb, packed with protein and high in fat – making it a satisfying snack or meal option. Furthermore, those living with type 2 diabetes may find this snack beneficial as it helps prevent blood sugar spikes and keeps glucose levels consistent.
Add peanut butter to your ramen for an irresistible flavor and nutritious boost. This creamy spread can easily be blended into the broth, creating a satisfying taste sensation.
When selecting peanut butter, opt for one that contains no partially hydrogenated oils, trans fats or salt and is low in salt. Unfortunately, not all peanut butters are created equal so be sure to read labels carefully before purchasing any product.
Some people enjoy crunchy peanut butter, while others appreciate its creamy consistency. The main distinction is that smooth peanut butter won’t leave any crumbs at the bottom of your bowl after melting down, while crunchy varieties provide you with little morsels to snack on throughout your ramen session.
Add some peanut butter to your ramen for an extra creamy sauce or as a tasty topping. It’s an inexpensive and tasty way to make it more decadent!
Another popular way to add peanut butter to your noodles is by mixing it with chili garlic sauce or sriracha. These flavors go great with many types of ramen, especially vegetarian options that have a slightly sweet taste.
When using spices with ramen, the goal is to find a balance between sweetness and heat. A ratio of one part hot sauce to two parts peanut butter works well, as does adding some chili oil during the final stages of your cooking process.
To prevent your ramen from becoming too sweet, you can add some honey or a liquid sweetener such as agave or maple syrup. This helps balance out the acidity of chili garlic sauce or sriracha while giving your noodles additional flavor.