Ramen is a delicious Japanese noodle dish that’s easy to make at home. From its flavorful broth to tasty toppings, ramen is ideal for any special occasion!
Ramen comes in many varieties and the ingredients may differ. But they all share certain core elements:
1. Ramen Fried Rice
Ramen fried rice is an easy and delectable dish made by combining instant ramen noodles with traditional fried rice. This Asian trend has gained momentum recently, providing consumers with a convenient way to incorporate the umami flavors of ramen into their meals.
Make this delicious ramen restaurant-style chahan using typical ingredients such as pork chashu, kamaboko fishcake and egg for an irresistible fried rice dish!
To prepare the fried rice, first crush instant ramen noodles to release flavor packets, then add them to a frying pan along with 100 milliliters of water (the same amount used when boiling the noodles). Cook over medium-high heat until water has completely absorbed; then beat an egg into the mixture followed by sesame oil and pepper.
Once the ramen has been fried, stir in some chopped kimchi and leftover rice. You can adjust these amounts according to your preferences; the ramen will absorb the flavors from both ingredients while the rice absorbs some of them as well.
For an even more Asian-inspired dish, instead of topping with a runny scrambled egg, top it with slices of cheese and sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds. Drizzle some sriracha sauce over for an irresistible flavor combination!
For optimal flavor and texture, day-old cold rice is the best type of rice to use. Not only will this absorb more of the flavors from your ramen noodles than fresh wet rice, but its texture is much superior as well.
This recipe uses a cup of ramen to create the fried rice, making it super convenient to eat! Once your dish is assembled, drizzle some sesame oil over it and put shredded nori sheets at the bottom. Carefully fill the cup with your prepared fried rice and gently press with your spoon until you have created an even layer.
This unique take on fried rice is sure to please the entire family! It’s quick, simple and deceptively tasty – making it a budget-friendly eat that everyone will enjoy.
2. Ramen Cups
Ramen cups are convenient, microwaveable noodle bowls that cook in just minutes. You can customize them with various ingredients like protein, vegetables and sauces for an ideal lunch or dinner on-the-go – perfect for work, school or travel!
Ramen noodles can be a fun treat to serve to friends and family. Depending on the brand, each cup may contain anywhere from two to four noodles as well as a packet of powdered broth that you can either add directly into water or pour over top of the noodles for extra flavor.
Ramen has its roots in 1958, when Japanese food inventor Momofuku Ando created dried noodle blocks that could be quickly fried in oil for a few seconds and packaged. But it was during a trip to America during the 1960s that Ando truly innovated: serving his noodles in cups! Additionally, this quick on-the-go option became very popular across America during this time.
This groundbreaking move would catapult instant ramen from a niche Japanese industrial food into an international phenomenon and turn Cup Noodles – the first instant ramen sold in a container – into one of the most successful branded foods ever created.
Since then, Nissin and other instant ramen brands have continued to release an array of flavors – from Japanese comfort foods like chicken teriyaki to exotic dishes like curry. Plus they often release limited-edition products like “Cheechili Curmato.”
But perhaps the most revolutionary development was the invention of ramen soup in cups, which has inspired an entire industry. Not only are these noodles easy to make and economical to purchase, but they can be stored for several days in your refrigerator if stored correctly.
To make delicious homemade ramen soup in cups, start by mixing Better than Bouillon and soy sauce together in a jar. Once fully mixed, top off with frozen vegetables, uncooked noodles, and hot water for an irresistible bowl of goodness!
It takes only 45 minutes to make this delicious recipe, which you can store in your freezer for quick lunches or dinners. Serve it with a sunny side up egg for an irresistible breakfast or snack!
3. Ramen Bowls
Ramen bowls are an ideal way to serve your favorite soup-based Asian dishes. They come in various shapes, sizes and materials so it’s easy to find one that suits your preference.
They’re also great for serving other types of noodle soups, like pho and udon. Plus, you can use them for hearty meal-sized salads or even a popcorn and noodle snack.
Ramen bowls with notches along the rim for chopsticks and spoons are ideal. Not only are these dishes dishwasher and microwave safe, but they’re also microwave-safe as well.
Shape of a bowl is essential to its functionality, so it’s worth becoming familiar with the various types. Some have flat bottoms while others have taller bases – this makes scooping noodles into your bowl easier without burning yourself.
There are also bowls with an acute angle, making them easier to hold. You often see these in commercial kitchens.
For something more decorative, you can opt for a bowl with a glazed finish. Some even come etched with intricate designs or calligraphy. These tend to be less expensive than ceramic ramen bowls and look just as great in the kitchen or restaurant setting.
Another popular option is melamine, which is more cost-effective than ceramic yet offers better handling. They come in a range of colors and require little upkeep when cleaning.
Some ramen bowls are constructed from porcelain, which is more durable and less susceptible to breaking than melamine. Furthermore, they’re more resistant to heat and cold temperatures.
Size, shape and texture of a bowl are important when mixing noodles. The larger the bowl, the more noodles can fit inside it.
When cooking a large pot of ramen, opt for a bowl that can accommodate all the noodles. This is especially helpful if you plan on adding lots of toppings or other ingredients.
Ramen isn’t complete without toppings, and our favorites include a soft boiled egg, pickled green onions, sesame seed oil, dried nori and pickled bamboo shoots. There is no shortage of options when it comes to toppings – our favorites include soft boiled egg, pickled green onions, sesame seed oil, dried nori and pickled bamboo shoots!
Ramen noodles are not only delicious, but they’re also nutritious for your diet. With the right toppings and ingredients, you can create a bowl that’s ideal for anytime of day or night.
4. Ramen Soup
Ramen soup is an affordable, quick, and effortless meal that everyone loves. The noodles and broth take only minutes to prepare, while the toppings come together quickly in no time – perfect for weeknight dinners for families or busy professionals on the go.
Ramen soup comes in many varieties, but the basic components remain consistent: a thick-bodied broth, noodles and vegetables for topping it off. Ramen bowls can be served warm or cold with or without an optional soft-boiled egg; and they typically come served on a tray for easy eating.
Ramen dishes typically use pork or chicken bones, stock and aromatics such as charred onions, garlic, ginger and fresh scallions in the broth. Tonkotsu broth – a boiled pork bone broth – is popular but can also be made with other animal or seafood bones.
Another popular ramen broth base is called shoyu, which is composed of soy sauce, salt and mirin. You may also flavor it with miso or chili pastes for additional kick.
For a richer flavor, use shoyu ramen with either homemade broth or store-bought stock with just some water added. Some shoyu ramens even incorporate dried and fresh seafood, mushrooms, and herbs into their base for extra depth of flavor.
If you are making your own ramen broth, it is essential to have certain ingredients on hand for optimal flavor. These include kombu and dried shiitake mushrooms; both can be used in either homemade or commercial broth recipes. You could also experiment with pickled bamboo shoots or nori seaweed for additional flavor enhancement.
Tokyo style ramen is one of the classic and beloved styles, known for its dark and dreamy-colored broth paired with thick curly noodles. It often includes fish cakes, kelp, spinach, nori seaweed, kamaboko (steamed fish paste) and scallions on top.
Chukamen noodles, also known as wheat flour noodles, are used in this dish and made in Japan with kansui (an alkaline solution). These noodles tend to be thicker and firmer than udon noodles – which may also be found in other types of ramen dishes.