 As a child, Ashley Richards found ramen noodles frustrating to eat. She had to wait for them to cook, wait longer for them to cool, and once they were ready, "it took so much effort to get the long noodles into my mouth without making a mess." Eating them uncooked was much easier. So after stomping on the cellophane to break up the noodles, that’s how she enjoyed her ramen - straight from the package. She’s 25 years old now, and still prefers it her ramen raw. "Crunch it up in the package, pour into a bowl, and sprinkle with oriental flavoring," Richards says. "Yum!" Richards, a survey methodologist in Durham, North Carolina, and other noodle lovers shared their favorite ramen recipes with CNN iReport for the Japan Eats project. Pre-flavored instant wheat-flour noodles have been winning over the hearts and stomachs of people around the world since their invention in 1958. And in Japan, ramen and its many variations are more than just a staple meal - they are a way of life. There are even museums dedicated to the dish. Hans Lienesch has sampled more than 630 varieties for his blog, The Ramen Rater, ranging from the premium, to "bottom of the barrel, nasty," to wolves-in-sheep's-clothing affairs that "look cool but that's as far as it goes." There was an excellent bacon variety that a reader mailed him from England, which he cooked up with a piece of toast and a couple of fried eggs for a delicious breakfast. You might imagine he'd be running out of noodles to try. But every country has its own version of the inexpensive dish, and "on shelves in other countries, there’s so much competition; there are so many varieties," says Lienesch, a computer support technician in Edmonds, Washington. "We really don’t understand how big instant noodles are in places like Singapore and Vietnam. There’s thousands of varieties." Another ramen reviewer, TonTanTin, is getting close to 5,000 entries in his YouTube Ramen Noodle Diary. In Narrah Kansas Palmquist’s Minnesota home, ramen is a family affair. She and her three children like to watch "Ponyo" - a Japanese animated movie about a goldfish that longs to be human - while enjoying bowls of noodles with ham, edamame, baby corn, water chestnuts and a medium-boiled egg, "sliced in half and arranged just as the meal appears in the movie." Her children love to squeal "Haaam!" just as the goldfish does in the movie when she sees her favorite human food. How do you do ramen? Share your take in the comments below. |
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A wonderful sushi restaurant(Roll on Sushi) here in Austin is using raw ramen as croutons in their salads – it was strange to see but tasted great when I had a meal out! I am a poor person for the most part so ramen is a staple for me still in my life!!
Add diced Spam and top with chopped green onions....Mmmm....Mmmm.....Good!
I don't add anything to Ramen because to me that's the whole point of a meal in a bowl, that you don't need to add anything else. But I typically throw out the seasoning they include in the package and use ginger, garlic or some combination of the two.
So...you DO add something to the ramen.
Sorry, but I had to LOL at the girl who said it takes too long to cook ramen and she's too impatient for the water to boil and cool down... that's pretty ridiculous.
I'm veggie and I usually throw some tofu or faux chicken in the noodles with a bunch of spices... YUM.
Ramen Radiator!
Ramen aliens are coming to get us!
I cook the noodles then add them to tomato soup. Meal in a bowl.
ETR – East Texas Ramen: Cook beef ramen, drain most but not all water, add flavoring packet and velveeta cheese, stir until smooth and creamy.
I grill chicken, broccoli, snap peas, red pepper, and carrots until the meat is cooked and the veggies are perfectly done. Then I mix together smooth peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, a splash of sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and a bit of sugar or honey, all thinned to the right consistency with hot water. Then I toss it all together with some cooked and drained ramen noodles. And...yummmmmm.
They're great as a carb bed for stir-fry, too. Beef or chicken grilled up with your favorite veggies and then served over cooked and drained ramen. Again....yummmmmm.
After all that, how do you even know the ramen are even there ??
I had to file a lawsuit against Nissin for false advertising. They claim "Oriental Flavor" on one of their brands, and that's a lie. My wife's Oriental and that soup just don't taste like what they say it does.
Too funny!
I started eating Ramen when I was stationed in Korea in '71. I made them in my canteen cup on top of the kerosene heater in the quonset hut and was amazed at the variety you could create based on what you could scrounge up to add to it. My favorite now is the original favor. I steam some seasoned red and green peppers, mushrooms and add an egg just before it's finished cooking. With that as a base recipe I'll add any veggies or chicken leftovers from the fridge.
Add crunchy peanut butter to Oriental flavor. Delicious.
Chicken ramen, cook the whole block of noodles in the microwave (in water) for 7 minutes...pour about half of the water out...squeeze in half a lemon and chiracha sauce to your liking ( I put a lot because I LOVE spicy but not enough to overpower the taste of the lemon) and voila...heaven in a bowl. Mmmm...I should go make some right now...forget breakfast!
* toss in an egg or two and stir well while it's still on the stove -OR-
* add a small tablespoon of peanut butter to the spicy kind while it's still hot
Ramen has way too much salt to be healthy, way too much fat to be healthy, and way too many carbs to be healthy, and ... I couldn't care less. For convenience, price, satisfaction, portability (I'm big on backpacking) and even shelf-life it is a food that has no peer. More than just enjoying it, I respect ramen.
Perfectly healthy if you add healthy items. I like to add leftover veggies or shred cabbage, green onion, carrot, spinach, maybe a handful of frozen shrimp. The choices are boundless.
Yeah, the things you're adding might be healthy, but that doesn't negate the fact that ramen is Bad for everyone.....it sure does taste good, though!
Hey – thanks to everybody weho's been checking out 'The Ramen Rater' website! You can get to it multiple ways:
http://www.theramenrater.com
http://www.facebook.com/theramenrater
http://www.twitter.com/theramenrater
http://www.reddit.com/r/ramenrater
Lotsa choices!
Thanks!
Hans 'The Ramen Rater' Lienesch
http://www.ramenrater.com
I love your site, I use it to check for new delicious ideas for my ramen meals. Keep up the good work.
Take the seasoning packet and mix it with 12 oz sour cream, wait 20 minutes for flavors to meld, and it's awesome potato chip dip. Better brands of instant ramen like Myoko Chukazanmai Oriental Flavor and Nong Shim Shin Ramyun (use both packets per package – each packet has different seasonings) have better seasoning packets than cheaper brands like Top Ramen.
Do something else with the noodles.
Hey that's a rad idea – there's a tab on my blog on top called 'HOW I EAT MY RAMEN' – maybe comment and add it to it? I think people would enjoy that!
- Hans 'The Ramen Rater' Lienesch
http://www.theramenrater.com
I have a book.101 Things to do with Ramen. You can make ramen stroganoff and other fancy dishes. There is even a desert section. Imagine melting chocolate bits on a brick of noodles in the microwave.
I just eat it as is. Noodles and broth. Mmm :)
Cook 'em up, add ginger, garlic, onion, scallions, a little tamari and plenty of sriracha....you can call this one Wu Tang Ramen 'cause it ain't nothing to f- with.
Keep these recipies, if newt or mitt win we will be eatting ALOT of ramen noodles
Finally. Something everyone can agree on. Oh wait...
By the way, "alot" is actually two words- 'a' and 'lot', as in "We misuse the English language a lot". And if a Republican't wins the presidency, we won't be eating a lot of this. It will have been recalled because of some Chinese toxic chemical their corrupt communist government has allowed into food exported to the US. Remember folks, Communist China is the Enemy- remember??
My favorite thing with it has always been taco salad.
It's just like any other taco salad, but instead of chips, you cook up the ramen noodles and toss them until they are coated with sour cream. Then use that as a base to put your meat, veggies, cheese, sauce and whatnot. Sooo good. It looks funky though, so most people are afraid to try it. Some people can't get down with the texture. Everyone else loves it though. Very cheap, and very filling.
Let's stick to the topic and let the welfare debate to Mitt, Newt, Rick and Ron.
No kidding! As a big fan of instant noodles, I'm floored how ridiculous people get about them. I imagine if a box of Cheerios got thrown in the mix, somebody'd complain about them being round. I eat instant noodles by choice – been on unemployment and food stamps before, sure have. Not currently though and I really enjoy them. I use a free blogging platform and only pay for domain names. It's a lot of fun! I wish people could also find some enjoyment in it other than pushing their agenda.
- Hans ' The Ramen Rater ' Lienesch
http://www.theramenrater.com
Best post of the day, Jim.....unfortunately, if you have the time, I will ask you copy and paste on every dang article in eatocracy. While I tend to be financially conservative in my political belief system, I, like you, simply wanted to read other peoples' variations on a quick and cheap warm treat
OK, I'm going to give my super-delicious, super-easy, Sesame Shrimp Salad recipe. There's lots of variations of this salad, but this recipe always gets rave reviews at potlucks.
1 bag cole slaw mix (cabbage and carrots)
2 packages Shrimp-flavored Top Ramen
½ cup sliced almonds
2 tbsp sunflower seeds
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp butter
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 cup thawed, cooked tiny shrimp
½ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup cider vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
In small bowl, mix oil, vinegar, sugar and contents of both Top Ramen flavoring packets, stir well and set aside
Break noodles up in small, lengthy pieces (rather than just crushing them)
In skillet, lightly sauté Top Ramen noodles, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and green onions in butter. Be careful to just lightly toast the noodles, seeds and almonds – they can burn easily if left on the heat for too long. Remove mixture and put in large bowl to cool.
Once cooled to room temperature, add cole slaw mix, shrimp, and dressing. Toss lightly and serve.
I think this recipe is best served immediately – my husband loves it fresh or day-old.
Hey that's a great recipe! – there's a tab on my blog on top called 'RECIPES' – maybe comment and add it to it? I think people would enjoy that!
- Hans 'The Ramen Rater' Lienesch
http://www.theramenrater.com
I have never eaten ramen of my style. I want to arrange ramen when I will eat ramen next time.
@vladt the article itself is an exact copy and paste.on the last article my suggestion was a cajun boiled turkey neck.there is nothing political about working hard all day and the government taking so much from me that now im left with just an onion to put on my ramen noodles.its only politics when u come up with some new words for stealing dinner from my plate.i EARNED my dinner so u can take ur redistribution of wealth(theft) and kiss my a??
Haha....I am merely pointing out that this article is about how one can be original with ramen. You insult us hard working folk who are good with their money by implying we only eat it because it is the bottom of the barrel and we have no money. I tend to vote conservative ( on financial issues, at least ) and I find it laughable that you immediately go to your anti-welfare tirade. I, for one, am anti welfare as well, but dude.....its freakin ramen. I like to buy it, and add some carrots and leftover chicken from the night before. Relax with a bowl of ramen and watch a good movie
With ya all the way, Vlad. Hamsta needs to learn from little grasshoppa to chill the fuk out and enjoy his ramen.
I like to avoid the flavoring packet by subbing with veggie stock and my own ingredients. Yesterday I sauteed diced tofu and mushrooms in extra virgin olive oil. After they cooked a few minutes I added curry powder for some color and flavor. I boiled the noodles in 2/3s veggie stock and 1/3 water. While they were boiling I added in garlic, died Serranos, cilantro, fish sauce, and sriracha. After the tofu and mushrooms are done I just add it to the pot 'o noodles. When they're done I just top them with peanut sauce, more sriracha, and sometimes a little soy sauce. Voila, cheap breakfast soup.
1) ramen crushed and mixed with almonds, toasted sesame seeds on top of a bed of shredded cabbage with an asian -flavored dressing.
2) the not so healthy version, package of ramen, throw in spam or vienna sausages in the pot, veggies, egg, drain, sprinkle 1/3 or packet onto noodles, mix, and add the meat and any other veggies ... not the most nutritious, but it sure does taste good
I eat chicken ramen alot. I crumple it up in the bag, put it in a bowl, add the flavoring and water then cook it for 3:30. I then take it out, add white american cheese and put it back in for about another minute. I then take the ramen out and stir it up, while adding lousiana cajin flavored hot sauce. The result is a delicious cheesy chicken delight!
I put cheese and hot sauce in my ramen too! Good stuff!
beef or spicy chicken ramen with ::: diced up white or red onion and add lil bit of butter, soo good, or slice up a hot dog or sausage and your good to go!
My favorite variety is the east indian Masala flavor that I can get at Indian grocery stores. Very flavorful.
Prepare noodles as per directions, remove noodles from broth, add a little butter or margarine, mix well, add tomato juice or canned/preserved diced tomatoes; Voilà, poor people's spaghetti – Delicious, fast & healthy. I love to add shredded carrots or shredded broccoli stems. Yummy for your tummy when you're in a hurry (or on a very fixed income).
Cooked, drained ramen noodles with half a packet of seasoning, two slices of cheese, and a spoonful of sour cream. A yummy, creamy, seasoned, macaroni and cheese type dinner!
i also forgot, cooked ramen with soup + sardines in tomato sauce!!!
-or cooked ramen with soup + hot dogs or some nice sausage, sliced!
Willy Peter, your many strange and amazing ramen suggestions both thrill and horrify me. Completely awesome! I've tried a couple of those, but you've given me some new ones to try as well. How few complete and self contained food items we have that are as open and receptive to rampant and reckless customization as our dear ramen. Bon appetit!
I eat them cooked with the soup base and the following toppings:
-add two fried egg and some deli slices of ham/turkey/chicken/roast beef + several romaine, iceberg or spinach lettuce leaves.
-add all your meat and veggie leftovers.
-add breaded chicken nuggets or strips.
-add korean kimichi.
-add fried pork chop + fried onions in oyster sauce (cooked first).
-add ground beef + fresh quartered tomatoes.
-add corn + spam.
if eaten cooked and dry, i'll get the seafood soup base powder and mix it with the cooked noodles, but no soup/water added and then add a bit of the frozen mixed assorted seafood (has calamari, shrimp, fish, clam, etc.)- cooked first also of course.
Yikes....I bet your arteries are more clogged than Dick Cheney's.
When I was a kid, my dad used to fry hot dogs and add eggs, cheese, and cut up hotdog pieces to our ramen noodles. We had to make due with what we could afford at the time. Now, if I do eat Ramen, I like to put the egg in like egg drop soup, and some vegetables and some cooked, frozen shrimp. It all heats up well in the time it takes for the noodles to get done. Sometimes I just eat the noodles cooked but plain with salt and pepper. The greatest thing is that you can pretty much do anything to Ramen.
I like to buy bulgogi from my favorite Korean resturant, and slice up the meat real thin. Then I'll slice up a cucumber into slivers. I'll cook up some bean sprouts, doused in a healthy dosing of garlic and sesame oil. As I'm cooking up the noodles in the broth, I'll scramble an egg in the broth. I'll then dump everything in, top it with some chile flakes, and nosh away. Pure heaven, I tell you.
Whenever I get my hair buzzed I like to eat ramen and sushi so I can pretend that I'm Harrison Ford in "Blade Runner."
One of my mom's emergency dinners: brown ground beef (or ground turkey), drain grease, add 1 cup of water, 2 packs of ramen (flavor packets optional), and one jar of salsa and any stray veggies you're in the mood for (I like corn with this best), cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stir and simmer for another 5 or so, until noodles are done.
When I eat it, and I try not to, I sautee a handful of snow peas, sliced mushrooms, and broccoli slaw in either olive oil or sesame oil until just tender. Follow the directions on the package for the ramen (I prefer the Maruchan roast beef or roasted chicken) but don't cook it quite as long as recommended because I don't like overcooked noodles. I put the veggies in a bowl, pour the seasoning packet over them, and then the water and boiled noodles, stir, and eat with chopsticks.
You try not to eat? Hmmm.....
drain the water and put spagetti sause on it, fast easy spagetti
Cook the noodles as per the directions. Add the package of chemicals (beef) and then add in cayenne powder. YUM!
College Kid Gourmet Ramen: Boil 2 cups water with ramen flavoring, but wait to add noodles. Beat an egg in a cup. When water is boiling, drizzle in egg (like in egg-drop soup). Add noodles, then frozen peas. Bring back to a boil, and boil for three minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for five. Eat topped with parmesan cheese. It seems almost like a real meal!
chicken flavor cooked as instructed, but add lots of curry powder, edamame, and kimchi and poach an egg in it at the very end. often, i'll add whatever leafy greens i have that need to be used up. it's delicious and i can pretend it's healthy.
Dry noodles with the boullion dumped over it really sounds nasty, though....
@just cant help it-actually no i dont claim to make 6 figures.im a crane operator and usually make between 40 and 50 thousand.but with obamas job killing agenda im lucky to have an onion to add to my ramen noodles today.
Yet you can afford the marijuana that you have talked about on other articles? Perhaps you need to sort out your priorities.
Drain water, add some butter and 1/2 the flavoring packet. Too salty otherwise.
I eat my Ramen the Paula Deen way....with lots of butter and an insulin shot.....
I laughed so hard I almost chocked on my fried candy bar.
Winner!!!
Best response yet!! Laughed so hard I dropped the bowl of Ramen noodles I was eating! :)
PUMP UP THE NUTRITION! My Japanese sister-in-law uses this technique: Bring water to a boil and drop in noodle brick, stir until noodles are loosened. Crack one or two eggs into the boiling water, then pour in the flavor packet, along with crucshed red pepper to taste (I like a lot of it). Yum, and now with added protein!
Ramen, pickles, bacon & kim chi – perfect meal every time!
I just puked up my ramen reading your comment.
Hey – thanks to everybody weho's been checking out 'The Ramen Rater' website! You can get to it multiple ways:
http://www.theramenrater.com
http://www.facebook.com/theramenrater
http://www.twitter.com/theramenrater
http://www.reddit.com/r/ramenrater
Lotsa choices!
Thanks!
Hans 'The Ramen Rater' Lienesch
http://www.ramenrater.com
I can't believe that you people eat that stuff. No nutritional value! Yeah thats right I said it "you people".
Ramen doesn't always refer to the prepackaged kind. So, it's not really what you think. But thanks for the ignorance! Always appreciated.
Japanese Ramen is delicious and is absolutely nothing like the kind that you buy at your local grocery store.
I had packaged ramen in Okinawa in '71, and except for the instructions not being English, it's exactly like what you get at the store.
Oh go away.
I use ramen to make Shrausken Rambo. Crush the noodles into small pieces and cook them in enough water to hit about 1/4 inch above the noodles, then add the flavor packet and a can of sausage and chicken gumbo. (Shrausken comes from shrimp, sausage and chicken. Rambo is ramen and gumbo.) If you need to feed a crew, add some cooked boil-in-bag rice. And, yes, this was created in a dorm room hotpot!
I'm not joking here...my dogs love uncooked ramen. I mix it for them with their wet dog food a few times a week.
I personally like them with butter, sesame seeds, and garlic powder. Freakin' delicious!!
Butter and garlic here too! Love 'em that way.
Yum yum and yum. I am going to try that.
Put diced mushrooms, celery, and tomatoes in just enough water to cook the noodles while you wait for it to boil. Once it boils, add in the ramen and half of the flavor packet. Add lots of dried oregano and crushed chili. Stir in some fresh spinach right near the end and cook until it gets soft. Sometimes I'll add an egg or diced tofu at the end too.
My favorite play on Ramen is using the plain noodles, and mixing it with steamed broccoli with just a little soy sauce drizzled over... also really good if you add chicken or shrimp!
Peanutbutter noodles -
cook the noodles, pour off most of the water, add 1/2 of the packet, 1 big spoonfull of peanutbutter, sesame oil and sesame seeds – my boyfriend adds hot sauce
so good!
I use the ramen soup packages to make coleslaw. To someone who hasn't tried it, I know it may sound yucky but most people who have sampled it at my house have enjoyed it. Use 2 of the beef soup packages. Crush the noodles to break them up. Put them in a bowl with whatever mix of vegetables/fruits you use for coleslaw: shredded red/green cabbage, broccoli, chopped Brussels sprouts, carrots, et cetera. Add 2 bundles of chopped green onion or scallions. Add a few handfuls of sunflower seeds. Stir in the broken up noodles. Set aside. The moisture from the vegetables starts the noodles softening.
In a mid-sized jar with a lid, mix 1/4 cup rice vinegar, the 2 seasoning packs (or your own brand of beef bullion with less sodium if desired), 3/4 cup of vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons of white sugar or equivalent. Individuals will need to adjust for taste, of course. I prefer a higher vinegar content than many people. I don't recommend using sesame oil, even though I love it for other uses. It doesn't work well in this combination, in my opinion.
Let that stand for a half hour or so, shaking occasionally to mix the ingredients. Pour over slaw in increments, stirring to mix. You'll need to make it a little wet, as you want the noodles to absorb the liquid and soften. Reserve any of the dressing you don't use immediately to freshen it later on after the noodles have done their thing. Chill. Stir again and serve. My husband and I love this combination. It's also great for potluck gatherings.
I do this too! except I use the oriental flavoring
What in the world about a salad recipe requires moderation ? ! ?
I eat Ramen noodles for lunch almost every day at work. My co-workers are starting to make fun of me a little. I cook the noodels as per the instructions, then pour in the flavor packet (chicken flavoring), mix it in, then drain the water. Most of the strong salty taste gets drained away, and there is a perfect amount of residual flavoring remaining.
An excellent way to dine. They are just jealous. That is one of the way I like my ramen.
I use the ramen soup packages to make coleslaw. To someone who hasn't tried it, I know it may sound yucky but most people who have sampled it at my house have enjoyed it. Use 2 of the beef soup packages. Crush the noodles to break them up. Put them in a bowl with whatever mix of vegetables/fruits you use for coleslaw: shredded red/green cabbage, broccoli, chopped Brussels sprouts, carrots, et cetera. Add 2 bundles of chopped green onion or scallions. Add a few handfuls of sunflower seeds. Stir in the broken up noodles. Set aside. The moisture from the vegetables starts the noodles softening.
In a mid-sized jar with a lid, mix 1/4 cup rice vinegar, the 2 seasoning packs (or your own brand of beef bullion with less sodium if desired), 3/4 cup of vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons of white sugar or equivalent. Individuals will need to adjust for taste, of course. I prefer a higher vinegar content than many people. I don't recommend using sesame oil, even though I love it for other uses. It doesn't work well in this combination, in my opinion.
Let that stand for a half hour or so, shaking occasionally to mix the ingredients. Pour over slaw in increments, stirring to mix. You'll need to make it a little wet, as you want the noodles to absorb the liquid and soften. Reserve any of the dressing you don't use immediately to freshen it later on after the noodles have done their thing. Chill. Stir again and serve. My husband and I love this combination. It's also great for potluck gatherings.
I like it however it is served to me.
2 packs ramen + 1 can Rotel = yum (serves 2)
I boil them as per the directions, then drain the water, add the seasoning packet and some reduced fat cream cheese and stir. Good stuff.
That's what I do too. Or sometimes I mix it up and add plain greek yogurt instead of cream cheese.
You need directions to boil the water?
ramen noodle salad! use 4-6 packs (chicken or oriental), half the seasoning (i.e. if you use 6 packs of noodles, use 3 of seasoning) mixed w lowfat/fat free mayo, add chicken (can use canned chicken but we sometimes use roast chicken), add celery. of course, you need the noodles to cool before you add the chicken, celery and sauce. very tasty!!!
I usually toss in some chunks of cheddar cheese, some onions, some reduced salt soy sauce (I know, it's futile), and hot sauce.
SODIUM watchers: All the flavor lies in that little salty packet. Eat a banana after your Ramen lunch. The potassium in the banana will counteract the salt and flush it out of your body. Although this is not an excuse to eat a high salt diet, it works. Google it.
uh, thanks for the health tip.
Sadly, not ALL of the flavor comes from the little foil packet. When the noodles are made at the factory, the folks making them need to dry them. Most deep fry them, as it is quick and relatively cheap. If you look on most ramen packages, they contain a high amount of fat; this is why. Fat, as most cooks know, equals flavor. Sadly, it also ends up on your gut, butt, etc. Check out Ramenbox or other online sources for ramen that has air or oven-dried noodles. Still plenty of flavor to build in, without the unnecessary fat.
Eating fat does not cause fat to be added to your body. Don't get me wrong, it's not good to have a diet high in fat content. I'm just saying that that is not how it works. Your body stores any calories it does not burn as fat, even calories from fruits and vegetables. It's a give and take, you have to burn what you eat.
I fix mine the way they do at the local Pho (Vietnamese ramen) restaurant - thin-sliced steak and a handful of snow peas.
I had Maruchan's new 'roasted chicken' flavor Ramen last night. it was AWESOME. and for 20 cents who can complain?
I just want to thank everyone for the soup ideas! I might just go to the T&T and load up on some options and make me some soup this weekend! I grew up on Icheban brand of ramen and Mom would let us sneak one piece of the raw noodles before she cooked them. I still sneak a piece whenever I make it, and I still prefer Icheban, but oh the sodium, keeps it rare and dare I say it, special.
Prepare as directed-add a couple spoonfuls of giardianara. Mix and eat. Salt in a bowl, but a great way to clear out your sinuses!
Ramen is a soup. I find it somewhat disconcerting that so many pictures are noodles-only. Although the boiled egg is traditional.
I make mine many different ways. I do so love the stuff, as bad as that is. I often spice it up with a little sesame seed paste, peppers or hot sauce, bok choy, nori, mushrooms (dried mushrooms I can't mention because of the mod-bot, miitake and oyster are the best I've found for ramen so far), pork or shrimp, sometimes some tofu or egg.
Ramen is a soup. I find it somewhat disconcerting that so many pictures are noodles-only. Although the boiled egg is traditional.
I make mine many different ways. I do so love the stuff, as bad as that is. I often spice it up with a little sesame seed paste, peppers or hot sauce, bok choy, nori, mushrooms (dried sh* take, miitake and oyster are the best I've found for ramen so far), pork or shrimp, sometimes some tofu or egg.
Some 20-odd years ago when I was 19 & and my two roommates and I were broker than broke, one of them introduced a ramen-based casserole on the cheap. If I recall correctly, I think it was three packages of ramen noodles, cooked and drained, mix in 1 store-brand can of Cream of __ (chicken, celery, broccoli, mushroom, whatever) undiluted, 1 can of Veg-All (canned mixed veggies) drained, and if we could score some cheap chicken, we tossed that in as well. We even tried gizzards in it once (yuck). Overall it was quick, tasty, and most important, easily fed three broke young adults.
We did the same thing but added finely chopped "rat" cheese- the assorted cheese ends from the deli. Filled you up a treat.
Always add the little packet of chemicals for that extra fillip of flavor!
We use raman noodles a lot at our house. Anyone have any other suggestions for easy, cheap meals?
Buy a whole chicken (I got one for $6 last week at the regular grocery store) and roast it. TONS of meat and super cheap. Just eat off it till its gone! My husband and I ate the chicken with potatoes the first night, chopped with pasta the second night and still have enough for me to make chicken curry tomorrow.
Also, if you want to really stretch it, you can use the bones to make chicken stock.
If you are really serious about saving, cook chicken bones until super soft and grind for flour. Remember Jack and the Beanstalk? Fe Fi Fo Fum...I'll grind your bones to make my bread.
get a baked chicken at Cosco for $5.00 and save the cost of cooking the bird.
Ramen is a soup. I find it somewhat disconcerting that so many pictures are noodles-only.
Although a boiled egg is traditional, so it's cool to see so many people eating theirs with eggs.
I make mine many different ways. I do so love the stuff, as bad as that is. I often spice it up with a little sesame seed paste, peppers or hot sauce, bok choy, nori, mushrooms (dried shitake, miitake and oyster are the best I've found for ramen so far), pork or shrimp, sometimes some tofu or egg. I can't say there's anything I consistently do, though. I work with what I have on hand.
Whatever fresh or frozen veggies I have on hand and any leftover meat. Usually the veggies are onions, peppers &/or from meal leftovers. If I have leftover chicken or steak I add that too. And hot sauce is a must. I usually use about half the recommended amount of water. A good inexpensive meal but I try not to have it too often cause the sodium in them is unreal. Because of that, I sometimes just chuck the packet and boil them in homemade broth.
Add 1/2 cup cottage cheese plus 1/2 cup yogurt and a squirt of Sriracha (Rooster Sauce) – um, um, good – and good for ya, too!
Gross. Dairy and savory asian foods do not mix.
It would be nice if this article clarified that this is about "instant ramen" and not "ramen" in general. Instant ramen is indeed junk food and made for convenience. However, ramen itself is a food with a long and delicious history in Japan, and if you can eat it made from fresh (increasingly, there are more and more places in the states) it is amazing!
Cook ramen per instructions – then add 1/2 cup cottage cheese plus1/2 cup yogurt and a squirt of Sriracha (Rooster Sauce) – um, um, good – and good for ya, too !!
it's a shame there is no 'healthy' ramen on the market. Ramen in any form is so disgustingly full of sodium you can feel your arteries tightening after every bite.
Its not horrible if you omit the horrible seasoning packet and season it in a more health or traditional way.
The noodles have no sodium (which your body needs in moderate quantities anyway), it's only the seasoning packet that has it and you can easily omit it or only use a pinch to your taste...
My husband boils them in water with the season packet, adds an egg and slice of American cheese right before he puts them in his bowl.
the thing is, even if you make a decent wage, the price of food has gone so sky-high that people are falling back on old staples – like ramen, canned tuna, etc. People are just trying to make lemonade out of lemons here. Flyingspaghetti's idea sounds yummy. I'll have to try it.
ramen is ok for junk food when you are starving and broke, but I just love how people manage to make them even more disgusting and unhealthy by adding hotdogs or butter or other garbage like that. I would love to say that's an American thing, but I'm sure people do equally disgusting things to their noodles everywhere lol Also, why does every picture up there pair ramen with fried eggs? Is it purely a breakfast food?
oh well now it's gone–it had about 8 pictures of ramen and eggs....
I add onion early in cooking, then at the end, add anything else. I like a raw egg drizzled in for that egg drop effect. I also like to add green peas to ramen.
Who says eggs are only for breakfast? They can be eaten at any hour of the day, alone or with Ramen!! :D
ramen dodo!lol!
"Bing ti ttle ti ttle bong!"
*Gr ew up eating so much of it that I can't stand it now. Only in cup o noodle form. The spic y ones.
*Grew up eating so much of it that I can't stand it now. Only in cup o' noodle form. The spicy ones.
Miracle Noodles (angel hair style) chicken, beef, or veggie stock, or even a V8 – mix with a handful of fresh spinach, sprouts, frozen peas, corrots, corn – garlic, onion, pepper – whatever spices you like – a protein if you like. Good and healthy.
I cook the noodles, drain all the water away and add the seasoning and a little butter....mmmmm mmmm good!
Throw out the seasoning packet. Boil 3 min. Drain. 1 pat of butter, 1 tsp. peanut butter, 1/2 tsp. dark sesame oil, fresh grated ginger & a squirt of Sriracha (Rooster Sauce). Mix it up. Yum.
Trying that!
My top 3 are: 1. Boil noodles in water with curry and red pepper, then add cut up hard boiled egg and peas. 2. Stir-fry veggies (onion, mushroom, bell pepper) and then add plain cooked noodles red pepper and a dash of soy sauce. 3. Cook plain noodles and serve with a little butter, garlic and parmesan cheese next to chicken. I never use more then 1/2 the noodles so I can save 1/2 for another dinner and omit the seasoning package 99% of the time to cut out all that sodium.
I just want to test your comment functionality...
Did it work?
Nope...
Saute celery,onion,green pepper, tomatoes and mushroom when starts to get soft add chicken broth instead of water and the crunched noodles and cook until the noodles are done. Serve with cilantro, bean sprouts, lemon slices and a couple squirts of the korean hot sauce. Yum! You can also add cooked diced chicken to this soup.
Ramen noodles are the most disgusting "food-like substance" I've ever tasted.
I'm not sure how noodles aren't considered food.
And that's where they get you. Highly processed. Made from grains that have been bleached and stripped of any nutritional value. Chemical, sodium and msg laden. Empty calories. Inexpensive. I don't consider that food.
Lock the doors, Someone let a VEGAN in the room.
I'm not a vegan. I just read labels. Also, I just think those things are effing gross.
I'm not a vegan. I don't think humans got where we are today without eating meat. I just read labels and pay attention. But mostly, I think those things are just gross. It's like the Spam of the grain world.
There are many varieties of ramen noodles made from rice or buckwheat (soba). Maybe you should familiarize yourself before making an uneducated blanket statement.
Anyone a fan of Neoguri? Very spicy – perfect for a cold day. All of the dehydrated vegetables and stuff that comes with it actually isn't half bad.
Grew up eating so much of it that I can't stand it now. Only in cup o' noodle form. The spicy ones.
Hot dogs, noodles and peas(courtesy of our babysitter and the 80's): Cook your ramen with coin shaped slices of hotdogs and dump some frozen peas in for the last 2 or 3 minutes of cooking. It's a well rounded and inexpensive meal if you have an apple or some canned pineapple afterward.
hot dogs "well rounded"? dude...
Technically, yes. Protein, grain, vegetable and fruit. I use turkey or chicken hotdogs because I don't eat beef or pork.
Frozen corn, peas and cut up little smokie sausages. Put this in when the water is just put on the stove, let it boil with these for 3 minutes and then add the noodles for 3 more.
I also add Smoked Chipotle Tabasco and fresh garlic. Great soup on a cold day.
Oh my gosh, yuck.
I would add hot dog slices, but make them a pac-man by cutting a slit into one side before pre frying them and then adding to the soup. The kids love this.
I boil them per the directions, but shortly before taking them off the heat, I drain out most of the water leaving just enough to cover the noodles in the pan. I drop in an egg and stir until the egg has cooked. I then add about half of the chicken seasoning packed and cayenne pepper. It's magic in a bowl.... and the only reason I didn't starve to death in college
Same way I make them but I add a slice of cheese. YUM
Ramen and mayo', yum!
Ramen with scrambled eggs mixed in...then a heap of sour cream!!! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....I'm having flashbacks of college...
After the government takes a third of my paycheck and gives it to welfare recipients who buy steak and lobster,i close my eyes and imagine im eating spaghetti and meatballs or some shrimp lo mein from the local chinese restaurant.
It would be nice if some could make a comment on food without all the hyperbole and social commentary, but I guess it is asking too much to simply request soemone's favorite ramen dish. I suspect that a third of your paycheck would not feed a bird (although I am sure you will say that you are an exacutive who makes in the 6-figure range, but your commentary would seem to belie that), but that most of your paycheck goes to your mother as rent for the basement.
Since you bring your suspicions of the amount of my paycheck up, I can safely assume that you have some insecurities of your own paycheck (or lack of). Perhaps some of mine goes to support you! Enjoy the lobster. Ass.
Why do you have to be mean?
hamsta I'm pretty sure they were replying to YOUR meanness
Can't Help It is angry because Can't Help It is most likely a welfare recipient. Truth hurts.
Take this crap elsewhere. no one cares about your check or what lies you choose to believe about welfare recipients.
Always question the validity and accuracy of the information you get from other people, places, and things b/c anyone with a highschool civics class under their belt knows why and how countries have 'gummints,' how to pay for 'em, and how EVERYONE can benefit from that – especially in a gummint run by people elected by everyone else – like my daddy always said, if you ain't part of the solution, then you're just part of the problem, crybaby.
This is a food blog. Please leave politics out of it.
Actually, I appreciated Hamsta's comment. I too, am getting frustrated at the grocery store when those using their government assistance cards are checking out and purchasing much nicer quality and more groceries than I am able to afford, and I have a good career job! Each day that passes, I have to resort more and more to "food" I know is purely garbage to stretch my money. I will be trying to garden some land this summer because I can't afford the fresh vegetables I'd like to be able to buy.
Well you’re not very intelligent then because the majority of food stamp recipients right now are family’s that have 2 parent households where both parents have worked all their lives and one or both have been laid off. They worked and put money INTO the system via their taxes and therefore are NOT participating in an entitlement program. They EARNED the right to use food stamps to feed their families until they can get back on their feet. But you go ahead and believe everything you see on TV. SO what if they buy better food than you. Then do something about it. They earned every single penny of those food stamps and most use it as a helping hand to get them through NOT as a hand out. I get SO tired of "They have this and I don't" get over yourself. Go back to school and get a better job. Because if people that use food stamps can buy better food than you do, there is a problem. They don't get that much a month in food stamps; it is a supplement to what income they can earn it is NOT meant to be the only thing you have for purchasing food. I just cannot believe that people are so ignorant these days when you can see how many people are out of work, that want to work but can't find jobs but they get bashed because they need some help with food. What, they aren't supposed to eat? So all those tens of thousands of dollars they have poured into the tax pool can't come back to them via food stamps for a few months until they can find another job? Get over yourself. You’re not special. Quit judging. You don't know everyone’s circumstance. I had to grant a couple who collectively made over $300k a year until both were laid off, food stamps. They paid more in taxes than you ever will in a lifetime. What a WHINER.
While I am not a fan of welfare and supporting it, I have two issues with your posting:
1) It is a fun article about ramen, just let it go
2) THIS IS AN EXACT COPY AND PASTE FROM THE OTHER ARTICLE ABOUT RAMEN. If you are going to b!@#h about welfare, at least be original
Hey, let's be fair; my welfare check only allows me to buy steak or lobster. Not both.