How kitchen staples can transform instant ramen into a gourmet meal
Instant noodles are cheap and tasty – but it doesn't take much to dress up their flavour profile.
There are a number of kitchen and pantry staples that can be added to stretch out the affordable meal into something gourmet and filling.
Read on to see our best tips and tricks to elevate your classic instant noodles for National Ramen Day.
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What's better than a pantry staple? Combining it with another.
TikTokers have discovered that adding half a can of cream of mushroom soup into some spicy ramen results in a warm and delectably fulfilling meal.
Simply use half the water specified on the packet of noodles and add the spice packet.
Let it come to a boil before adding half a can of creamy mushroom soup and mix before adding the noodles themselves and letting it cook.
Clement, a TikTok creator who said the hack was "Too easy for me not to try," confirmed that the meal was "spicy, rich, and creamy."
A cheese toastie with a twist
It's two budget meals mashed together to create the ultimate taste sensation – the ramen cheese toastie.
Pictured here is TikTok cook Lisa Nguyen's version, and if you want to try it yourself, see condiment brand Lee Kum Kee's version below.
Ingredients
- 2 x slices of your favourite bread
- 1 x packet of your preferred instant ramen noodles
- 1 x drizzle of Lee Kum Kee Chiu Chow Style Chilli Oil
- 1 x handful of grated cheese (cheddar recommended)
- 1 x handful of shredded cooked chicken (optional)
- Shredded cabbage (optional)
- Sliced spring onions (optional)
Method
- Cook the instant noodles according to the package instructions, drain and set aside
- Assemble the toastie. Lay out two slices of bread. On one slice, layer the cooked instant noodles
- Add the shredded chicken, followed by scallions and shredded cabbage
- Drizzle with Lee Kum Kee Chiu Chow Style Chilli Oil
- Add cheese and top with the second slice of bread
- Toast the sandwich in a panini press or on a skillet until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted
- Enjoy!
Peanut butter Instant noodles
Most Aussies are a fan of peanut butter on its own, but did you knw that the pantry staple can be added to noodles to make them creamy, savoury and filling?
After boiling the noodles, simply pour out most of the water and add a blob of peanut butter along with the packet seasonings.
Mix together for a scrumptious meal and feel free to add more toppings, like in Jane de Graaff's favourite chilli peanut butter noodles.
Creamy ramen in seconds
Three simple additions are all that's needed to turn a regular pack of ramen into an indulgent and creamy dish.
In a viral TikTok trend, many have taken to including kewpie mayo, egg, and some minced garlic and adding it to their noodles to make them taste like the more expensive ramens available in restaurants.
All you have to do is combine the ramen seasoning with kewpie mayo (or any type of mayonnaise), an egg, some minced garlic and some spring onion if available, all while you boil the noodles.
Mix the ingredients together before adding a little bit of boiling water to the mixture and stirring well to make sure the eggs do not overcook.
After this you can drain the noodles and add them to the bowl to make for an instant restaurant-grade meal.
Instant noodle fritter
Turning noodles into a fritter is great fun. Simply use whisked egg to give some structure to your noodles, holding them together to make fritters. You can cook them in the pie maker for mini ones, or flat in the pan for one large pancake-style fritter.
Even better, make burger-bun-sized ones and add a meat patty and all the burger trappings.
Simply cook and drain your noodles, whisk two eggs and then mix those into the cooled noodles. Add any extras you want (like diced veggies or bacon pieces, etc), then tip the whole thing into a hot pan to cook, flipping halfway.
Serve it up and cut into wedges like a pizza if you're doing a big one.
Meal prep
An Aussie TikTok user has gone viral for the brilliant way she used instant vermicelli noodles as the base for her meal prep.
Georgina preps her week's lunches by popping uncooked noodles into a lunchbox. Then add the seasoning if you want it, and some thinly-sliced veggies and protein like a cooked egg, chicken or tofu slices.
Add flavours like miso, crushed garlic or chilli paste. Close the box up and place it in the fridge.
When you get to work, all you need to do at lunchtime is add boiling water and then sit back until the noodles are ready.
Rotisserie Chicken Ramen
The addition of a staple Aussie classic can spruce up your ramen.
Adding a portion of supermarket rotisserie chicken to your noodles adds protein and makes for a filling meal.
As you only need a little bit of chicken, it's ideal for a family dinner night where you can divide the chicken to add to everyone's noodles, or save it for later!
Cold noodles instant ramen hack
Did you know you can eat your instant noodles cold?
Koreans have a popular dish called Naengmyeon, which refers to a cold noodles in a chilled broth.
It's not always easy to get if you're not visiting a Korean restaurant, but there is a way to hack it to get that refreshing flavour at home.
First, cook, drain and rinse your noodles so that they cool down.
Prepare some leftover vegetables from your fridge by thinly slicing them – anything from cucumbers, carrots, cabbage or even spring onion.
Then empty out the seasoning packets and add about 1.5 tablespoons of brown sugar, vinegar and soy sauce and mix it well.
Then add one cup of water to complete the broth and add a few ice cubes to keep the noodles cool.
Add your instant noodles, the vegetables and a boiled egg on top – as is traditional for naengmyeon – and dig in!
Tomato egg instant ramen
Stir-fried tomato and scrambled egg is a popular dish across Asia, mainly because of how simple, cheap, filling, and f course delicious it is.
These flavours are something that incorporate well into instant ramen.
Start by cutting a tomato and putting it in boiling water, along with some sliced onion. As the tomatoes soften, crush them with a spoon so that the flavours deepen.
Add the seasoning packet and instant noodles before whicking an egg in a separate bowl. Once the noodles are all done, slowly pour the egg into the noodles.
Make sure not to mix it and instead leave it to solidify, as it makes the soup cleaner.
Finally finish off with some spring onions of chillies to garnish and dig in!
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