By Myra Chen and Stephanie Pham
Sick of the same ol’ same ol’? Want to spice up your typical ramen recipe? Here are four ways to make your meal more interesting.
Peanut Butter Ramen
For you peanut butter enthusiasts, this recipe is for you.
Cook your ramen noodles (we used Mama Instant Ramen Noodle, but you can use whatever brand you like). Mix a teaspoon of peanut butter, teaspoon of minced garlic, teaspoon of mayo and a tablespoon of hot ramen water. Add your cooked ramen noodles into the sauce mixture and top with green onions.
The result: a creamy dry noodle with a tangy and nutty flavor—you either love it or you hate it. Though this recipe is not for everyone, everyone should try it before they deny it.
Gochujang Korean Ramen
Combining a taste of Japan and of Korea, this Gochujang Korean Ramen recipe is the perfect blend of Asian flavors. Gochujang is a fermented chili paste with hints of sweetness, often found in little red tubs at your local Asian supermarket. Even if you don’t like the taste of gochujang on its own, you might like it as the base of a soupy bowl of ramen.
To achieve this splendid meal, cook your ramen noodles. Instead of adding the provided spice packet into the hot water, add a spoonful of gochujang, teaspoon of minced garlic, teaspoon of sesame oil and soy sauce to taste. For an extra boost of flavor to your noodle soup, add green onions and a soft boiled egg.
The result: a steamy, aromatic bowl of noodle soup with a balanced flavor profile—spicy, sweet and savory.
Spicy – Cheese Ramen
For those of you who like a spicy taste, but can’t handle the heat, this is the one for you. This is a great spin to the regular MAMA noodles that come from the original ramen packet.
Start by cooking the ramen noodles in a large pot of boiling water until the noodle texture is to preferred chewiness. After the water is drained from the noodles, add a handful of shredded mozzarella cheese and mix until melted. Add a teaspoon of sesame oil, the ramen seasoning packet, a teaspoon of gochujang and top it off with a slice of melted cheese on top. Cover the pot with a cap and let the dish simmer until the layer of cheese is perfectly melted. Plate up your spiced up ramen with a garnish of green onions.
The result: A slightly nutty, savory flavor comes from the cheese combined with a little spice from the gochujang. It’s a perfect balance for people who love a hint of spice in their noodles.
A Classic, Dry Snack
For those looking for a unique and original method of eating the classic ramen noodle, start by crushing the unopened packet of ramen into bite size pieces with your hands. After opening, take out all the seasoning packets and add in the desired amount of dry seasoning straight into the bag (you can also customize the spice level at this step). Close the opening with your hand and give it a shake!
This quick and easy snack takes 2 minutes to prepare and will have you addicted by the first taste. The snack is easy to pack and can be eaten on the go when you’re in a rush of time. The best part: the saltiness can be adjusted by how much seasoning is added.
The result: A crunchy, savory bag of ramen, better than any chip at the store!
If you’re ever bored of the same recipe when you’re looking for a quick and easy meal, feel free to try any of these recipes for a fun, delicious twist.
