20 Creative Ways to Upgrade Instant Ramen

Instant ramen is a beloved pantry staple for many, but it doesn't have to be boring. With a little creativity and some extra ingredients, you can transform this humble noodle dish into something truly special. In this article, we'll explore 20 innovative ways to upgrade your instant ramen, turning it into gourmet meals that will impress your taste buds and your dinner guests.

1. Cold Noodle Salad

This refreshing take on ramen is perfect for hot summer days:

• Cook ramen noodles and rinse with cold water
• Make a sauce with soy sauce, sugar, Chinese black vinegar, ramen seasoning, scallions, and garlic
• Heat sesame oil and pour over the sauce
• Mix noodles with cucumber shreds and the prepared sauce
• Let sit for 5 minutes before serving

2. Roki (Ramen + Tteokbokki)

Combine Korean rice cakes with ramen for a comforting fusion dish:

• Boil cabbage, rice cakes, and ramen in water with seasoning
• Add soft-boiled eggs and dumplings
• Top with scallions

3. Ramdon (Ramen + Jjapagetti)

Inspired by the movie "Parasite," this dish combines two types of instant noodles:

• Cook chapagetti and shin ramyun noodles together
• Fry onions and steak separately
• Mix noodles with seasonings, sugar, and the cooked onions and steak

4. Army Stew (Budae Jjigae)

A popular Korean dish that originated after the Korean War:

• Combine gochujang, water, kimchi, tofu, spam, and ramen in a pot
• Add American cheese and scallions
• Boil until the ramen is cooked

5. Thai-Inspired Peanut Ramen

A fusion of Thai flavors with instant ramen:

• Cook ramen noodles and scramble eggs separately
• Mix Sriracha, peanut butter, ramen seasoning, and lime juice for the sauce
• Combine noodles, eggs, and sauce
• Top with crushed peanuts, scallions, and lime juice

6. Mac and Ramen

A unique combination of two comfort foods:

• Cook macaroni and ramen noodles together
• Mix with milk, butter, mac and cheese powder, ramen seasoning, and American cheese

7. Ramen Carbonara

A fusion of Italian and Korean flavors:

• Cook bacon and set aside
• Mix egg yolk, Kewpie mayo, pecorino cheese, black pepper, and bacon fat
• Toss hot ramen noodles in the mixture
• Add cooked bacon and more cheese

8. Cheesy Fire Chicken Ramen

A spicy and cheesy ramen dish:

• Cook chicken and set aside
• Cook ramen with gochujang and sugar
• Add chicken and create a space in the middle for mozzarella cheese
• Cover and let cheese melt
• Garnish with scallions

9. Ramen Fried Rice

Use uncooked ramen noodles to add crunch to fried rice:

• Crush uncooked ramen and mix with seasoning
• Fry eggs, spam, and crushed ramen in a wok
• Add rice and scallions

10. Curry Ramen

Combine instant ramen with Japanese curry for a rich, comforting meal:

• Sauté carrots and onions
• Add water, ramen seasoning, and Japanese curry roux
• Cook ramen noodles in the curry
• Top with a soft-boiled egg and scallions

11. Assassin's Ramen

Inspired by the Italian "pasta all'assassina":

• Toast dry ramen noodles in oil with garlic
• Gradually add tomato sauce and water, allowing it to reduce and caramelize
• Season with ramen powder and cheese

12. Scallion Oil Ramen

A flavorful ramen dish highlighting the taste of scallions:

• Fry scallions in sesame oil until dark brown
• Mix soy sauce, vinegar, honey, and ramen seasoning
• Combine sauce with fried scallions and cooked ramen noodles

13. Rose (Rosé) Ramen

A creamy, pink ramen dish popular in Korea:

• Cook ramen in milk with gochujang and ramen seasoning
• Add cocktail sausages and onions
• Finish with a splash of milk and sugar

14. Ramen Omurice

Transform leftover ramen into a new dish:

• Stir-fry leftover ramen with ketchup and soy sauce
• Make an omelet and wrap it around the fried ramen

15. Ramen Okonomiyaki

A fusion of Japanese pancakes and ramen:

• Mix leftover ramen with eggs and cabbage
• Pan-fry the mixture
• Top with bacon, okonomiyaki sauce, and Kewpie mayo

16. Ramen Broth Steamed Egg

Use leftover ramen broth to make a savory egg custard:

• Mix leftover broth with beaten eggs
• Microwave for 1-3 minutes
• Garnish with scallions

17. Ramen and Potato Croquettes

Combine leftover ramen with mashed potatoes for a crispy snack:

• Mix leftover ramen with mashed potatoes and cheese
• Form into patties and coat with panko breadcrumbs
• Deep-fry until golden brown

18. Ramen Gnocchi

Inspired by David Chang's recipe:

• Cook ramen in milk until half-cooked
• Blend with milk and seasonings
• Pipe into boiling water to form gnocchi
• Pan-fry in butter and dust with ramen seasoning

19. Leftover Ramen Stir-Fry

Combine all your leftovers for a delicious meal:

• Render fat from chicken skins
• Stir-fry leftover vegetables, meats, and noodles
• Add a sauce made from leftover seasonings and sauces

20. Ramen Soup Dumplings

Create a unique twist on Chinese soup dumplings:

• Make a gelatin-rich broth using ramen seasoning
• Wrap the solidified broth and cooked ramen in dumpling wrappers
• Steam and serve with a dipping sauce

Conclusion

These 20 creative ways to upgrade instant ramen demonstrate the versatility of this humble noodle dish. From fusion recipes that combine different culinary traditions to innovative techniques that transform leftovers, there's no limit to what you can create with a package of instant ramen. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy meal or a more elaborate dish to impress your friends, these recipes offer something for every taste and skill level. So the next time you reach for that packet of instant ramen, remember that with a little creativity, you can turn it into a gourmet experience.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nr2xxHM9kk