Chefs share 13 means to brand instant ramen even better

Ramen noodles

Instant ramen can be upgraded with a few simple tricks.
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Ditch the flavor packet if the ramen isn't from an Asian grocery store.

Some instant-ramen flavor packets don't have the right spices.
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Packaged instant ramen normally includes a spice parcel that adds umami flavor to your noodles.

But Anna Rider, a food writer, chef, and recipe programmer, told Insider that not all of these season packets are created equal.

"Popular brands at conventional grocery stores come with lackluster spices and seasonings," Rider said. "You're better off cooking your noodles in chicken or vegetable broth and serving them with chili oil, Sriracha, or sesame oil with ruby-red pepper flakes."

However, keep the packet if your instant ramen is from an Asian grocery store — it'south more than likely to include authentic spices that are worth adding to your meal.

Don't cook your ramen for as long equally it says on the parcel.

Rinsing the noodles after you cook them keeps them from getting mushy.
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Instant ramen is meant to be served piping hot, merely assuasive the cooked noodles to sit in the warm broth means they may be mushy past the time you're set up to eat.

To avoid this, Rider suggested shortening the cooking time listed on the package.

"Undercooking your noodles by one to two minutes makes them perfect past the time you're ready to enjoy them," Rider said.

You can prevent mushy ramen by draining the noodles immediately and rinsing them nether cold water.

Cook your noodles separately to brand them less viscid.

Cooking your noodles in a split pot can improve their texture.
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Deanna Kang, a chef and recipe developer at Asian Test Kitchen, told Insider that cooking your noodles separately could ameliorate their texture.

"Though not totally necessary, cooking your noodles separately before adding them to ramen stock washes abroad actress starch and makes the broth and noodles less gummy," she said.

Save some of the uncooked noodles to use as a topping.

They add a squeamish crunch.
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Romain Devanneaux, a chef at Chez Muffy in Quebec City, told Insider that he never cooks the whole portion of noodles included in a package of instant ramen.

"I e'er go on a small amount of the uncooked noodles to place on top when it's ready," Devanneaux said. "This brings a piddling crunchy texture to the dish."

If you'd rather cook all your noodles, you can acme your ramen with raw shredded carrots, tortilla fries, or even croutons to add a crunch.

Add cheese or mayonnaise to your ramen if you want it to be creamier.

Cheese will make ramen noodles super creamy.
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Chris Riley, a cook and founder of The Daring Kitchen, told Insider that cheese and instant ramen are an first-class pairing.

"Add a couple of cheese slices, parmesan, or crumbled feta after cooking the ramen for a few minutes," Riley said. "You can also add some mayo to make the dish even creamier."

Proceed frozen herbs around to use as piece of cake flavor bombs for ramen.

You lot tin can freeze herbs into cubes with oil so they're fresh when you need them.
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Devanneaux told Insider that adding frozen herbs to ramen noodles is a quick and easy way to innovate season.

"When you see that herbs in your fridge accept lost their freshness, mix them with olive oil and a dash of lemon juice, and freeze them in an ice-cube tray," Devanneaux said. "These cubes are nifty when added to ramen noodles."

Cook your instant ramen noodles in canned soup for a richer meal.

Adding ramen to a can of soup can make a heartier meal.
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If you're looking to turn a package of instant ramen into a more than substantial meal, a simple can of soup may do the trick.

"Eddy some canned soup on the stove and cook the ramen in that," Riley said. "Any vegetable or Italian soup will do the fob, and you end up with a savory bowl of ramen."

It may be easier to cook the noodles in broth-based soups, but don't be agape to experiment with creamier flavors as well.

Instant ramen is a great manner to use up leftovers.

Leftovers tin can add spice, flavor, and substance to instant ramen.
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One easy way to add together some flavor and substance to instant ramen is to raid your fridge for leftovers.

"You tin can employ leftovers similar sliced ham or a fried egg from breakfast to make instant ramen a more complete meal," Rider said.

Instant ramen is also a smashing mode to make use of wilting herbs or garnishes, such as leftover basil or chopped light-green onion.

Add some seaweed for a traditional flavour.

Ramen is often served with seaweed at restaurants.
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For an authentic twist on instant ramen, Passenger suggested adding some seaweed.

"A square of salted seaweed tin really improve instant ramen," Rider said. "Serve with a soft-boiled egg dissever lengthwise and lightly fried shiitake mushrooms cooked with garlic."

For extra toppings, opt for pickled carrots, fresh cilantro, or greenish onions sliced on the diagonal.

Up the umami flavour by adding soy sauce.

Adding soy sauce is a simple way to boost instant ramen's flavor.
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For the fastest and simplest way to boost the salty, savory season of instant ramen, add together a splash of soy sauce.

"Soy sauce tin can enhance the flavor and complication of the instant ramen," Riley said. "If y'all prefer spice, throw in some chili sauce besides."

Turn your instant ramen into a full breakfast past adding bacon and eggs.

When you're craving something special in the morning, upgrade your instant ramen with some breakfast staples.
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"Add bacon and eggs for a great breakfast have on ramen noodles," Riley said. "I beloved this considering it's fast, like shooting fish in a barrel, and delicious."

You tin can poach an egg straight in the ramen as it cooks, or whisk the egg in while cooking to create a rich, flossy broth.

Boil your noodles in stock instead of water.

Cooking ramen in broth will deepen the flavor.
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Kang told Insider that cooking instant noodles in broth instead of water makes for a more flavorful meal.

"Kickoff with anything except h2o, like chicken or vegetable stock," Kang said. "Even adding powdered chicken bouillon will help the soup sense of taste less similar the Styrofoam cup it came from."

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