Content

• Ingredients
• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Cooking ramen noodles
• Method 2 of 2: Make it even better
• Tips
• Necessities

Ramen is an easy, quick meal that is perfect for people on the go or students who are short on time to study. While affordable, it's not very nutritious, and some people may find it bland, or the noodles too mushy. Luckily, there are several tricks you can do to make sure the noodles turn out perfect. You can also add many other flavors and toppings in addition to the spices that are sometimes included. With a little creativity, you can make a tasty and nutritious meal in no time!

Ingredients

• 600 ml of water
• 1 pack of ramen, including spice bag
• Side dishes, such as eggs, meat, or shellfish (optional)

To step

Method 1 of 2: Cooking ramen noodles

1. Bring water to a boil. Put 6 dl water in a saucepan. Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil over high heat.
2. Stir in the herb bag. Tear open the herb bag (possibly supplied). Pour the contents into the boiling water and stir it in.
3. Let the stock boil for a minute. This ensures that the powder is completely dissolved and that the water is hot enough for the next step.
4. Add the noodles. Press the noodles gently with a chopstick or wooden spoon so that they sink into the water. Maybe you should hold them for a moment. Do not break or stir the noodles. This will go without saying.
   • You can also cook the noodles separately in a pot of boiling water.
5. Cook the noodles for about two minutes. Once they come off, pull them out of the stock using a pair of chopsticks or pasta tongs. You can also pour the stock through a sieve into a bowl.
6. Fan the noodles dry. This will help stop the cooking process and keep them from getting limp and soggy. You can use a handheld fan, a small electric fan, or even a sturdy piece of paper or a folder.
   • Another alternative is to rinse the noodles under cold water.
7. Add the noodles to the stock again. At this point you can add some tasty side dishes such as egg, meat or vegetables.
   • Some of these ingredients should not be added until the last minute, after you have already put the ramen in a bowl.
8. Serve the ramen. Place the ramen in a large, deep bowl. If you added a poached or fried egg to the pan, consider scooping it out with a tablespoon, then placing it back on top of the ramen after the ramen has already been placed in the bowl. At this point you can also add other side dishes such as cooked meat.

Method 2 of 2: Make it even better

1. Add extra flavor with sauces and spices. If the sauce or spice is very salty, it may be a good idea to use less of the spices in the package. This is to prevent the windows from becoming too salty. Below are some tasty alternatives you could try:
   • Fish sauce
   • Japanese curry powder
   • Ponzu
   • Miso paste
   • Thai curry paste
2. Add extra flavor with herbs, oils and other herbs. This is a great option if fish sauce and curry powder or paste aren't your thing. Here are some ideas to get you started:
   • Citrus juices, such as a drop of lemon or lime. Add these just before serving.
   • Fats such as: meat gravy, chili oil or sesame oil.
   • Spices such as: chili flakes, coriander seeds or white pepper. You must remove the seeds before serving.
3. Stir in some vegetables for a healthier meal. You can add delicate and quick cooking vegetables just before serving the ramen. You can also add firmer, longer-cook vegetables to the noodles while you cook them. Here are some more tasty options:
   • Vegetables that cook quickly: baby spinach, bean sprouts, spring onions or watercress.
   • Vegetables that need to cook a little longer are: broccoli, peas, snow peas or grated carrots.
   • No fresh vegetables? Try frozen vegetables instead! First defrost them under running hot water for about 30 seconds.
4. Give your ramen some extra protein with an egg. Ramen is full of sodium, starch and fat, which is not very healthy. You can make your meal a little more nutritious with an egg, which is full of protein. Soft-boiled and hard-boiled eggs cut in half are the most popular, but you can use other variations. Here are some options to try:
   • Make a hard-boiled egg. Peel the egg, cut it in half and place it on the windows just before serving.
   • Make a soft-boiled egg.Boil the egg in boiling water for 3-7 minutes, then peel, cut in half and add to the ramen just before serving.
   • As an alternative, try a beaten egg. After the noodles and stock are cooked, turn it around. Pour a lightly beaten egg into the pan while the stock and noodles are still stirring.
   • Poach an egg on top of the noodles. Let the egg boil for 30 seconds. Turn off the heat, put the lid on the pan and wait another 30 seconds.
   • Put a fried egg on top. You have to fry the egg and cook the ramen separately. Place the fried egg on top of the ramen before serving.
5. Add more protein with meat. Thinly sliced ​​meat is the most popular, but you can also use chicken breast, bavette, or tenderloin. Cook them in the stock while the noodles are cooking in their own pan. Remove the meat from the stock, add the noodles and then put the meat back on top.
   • Don't use too much meat. The ramen noodles and stock should be the main meal.
   • Thin slices of pork belly or shoulder are the most popular and authentic.
6. Try other authentic side dishes. Most of these side dishes require you to go to a supermarket that specializes in Asian products. You may also be able to find some of these products on the Asian food shelves of your local supermarket. Here are some tasty ideas for you to try:
   • Fish cakes (fish cakes)
   • Sliced ​​daikon, lotus root or shitake mushrooms
   • Shredded nori
   • Menma fermented bamboo shoots.
7. Ready.

Tips

• Add anything you think will taste good at the ramen. Be adventurous, but make sure you cook it well.
• Keep the ingredients close to the pan before dropping them in. This prevents splashing.
• For a bowl of fish and seafood, take the following ingredients: squid, shrimp, crab and / or salmon.
• How much of the extra side dishes and spices you use is up to you. However, the noodles and soup base should be central to the dish.
• No stove? No problem! You can cook the noodles with a coffee machine or even a microwave!
• Try adding some finely chopped lemongrass. It is especially tasty when paired with seafood.
• Not a fan of soup? Boil the noodles and then stir-fry them with your favorite stir-fry sauce and vegetables.
• Add some seasonings to the stock, such as pureed salt with garlic, miso, or soy sauce.
• Eat the ramen quickly. Ramen no longer tastes good if it has been standing for a while. If you know you're not going to eat everything, make half a serving.

Necessities

• Saucepan
• Chopsticks or (wooden) spoon
• Soup plate