Whether you're a university student on a budget or a mother of 3 trying to feed the kids, instant ramen is a reliable and affordable food option that's loved by everyone. While it's already tasty as is, it never hurts to try and elevate a dish, right? Let's turn that 50-cent ramen into something truly spectacular with these 20 viral hacks that will instantly level up your ramen game. Dig in!
1. Creamy Peanut Butter Ramen
All you need is a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter added to your ramen to transform it into something entirely different and delicious. Giving it a refreshing rich and nutty flavour, adding peanut butter also creates a creamy texture. Simply cook your ramen as you usually do, drain most of the water, add in the seasoning packet, mix in the peanut butter, and voila, enjoy your new favourite ramen hack!
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2. Spicy Sriracha Ramen
For those of you who love a spicy kick, adding sriracha sauce to your cooked ramen is an easy game changer. Once your ramen is cooked to your liking, just add in a teaspoon (or more, to taste) of sriracha, some lime juice, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Srircha is packed with flavour, so this hack takes advantage of its tangy and spicy taste and add a vibrant element to your ramen.
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3. Cheesy Garlic Ramen
Did you know that elevating your ramen can be as simple as stirring in some garlic and shredded cheese? That's right, to up the savoriness of your ramen noodles, create a mixture of minced garlic and shredded cheese that can be added right after cooking. While the garlic provides a ton of umami, the cheese will melt into the noodles, creating a comforting food experience you need to try.
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4. Ramen Stir-Fry
Try something different by skipping the soup and stir-frying your ramen noodles instead! Make the noodles the star of the dish by unloading all the seasoning straight onto them, creating a more intense flavour than you normally get. You can even stir-fry your noodles with your favourite veggies and proteins, adding in a bit of soy sauce and a dash of sesame oil for some extra depth of savory flavour.
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5. Ramen Salad
You read that right - try transforming your ramen noodles into a cool and refreshing salad perfect for any hot summer day. This hack is simple. Instead of cooking your ramen as you normally would, crush it up! Once they're smashed into little pieces, they work great as an addition to any salad, giving each a bite an extra crunch that is so satisfying. Combined with your leafy greens and a tasty vinaigrette, this will definitely open your eyes to a new world of ramen and salad!
Image by Natalie Bot from Pixabay
6. Egg Drop Ramen
Egg and ramen go as well together as any other classic combo! It's an easy way to level up your ramen, and you'll be surprised how such a small addition can make such a big change. It's simple - after cooking your ramen, stir in a beaten egg and let it cook for one more minute. What this does is it creates a rich, creamy texture to your broth. Even more so, its an extra bit of protein that'll make your meal feel more filling and satisfying!
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7. Coconut Curry Ramen
For a more tropical twist, add a can of coconut milk and a spoonful of curry paste to your ramen for a unique pop of flavour. This hack is meant to recreate a dish reminiscent of Thai curries, meaning if you're a lover of Thai cuisine, this is perfect for you. It'll leave you with a ramen dish that has a lovely balance of both sweet and spicy flavours.
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8. Miso Butter Ramen
For a rich, umami-packed taste, stir in a spoonful of miso paste and a chunk of butter into your cooked ramen to elevate your entire meal. This combination is absolutely heavenly, giving the broth a buttery flavour that will bring your ramen to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Image by JUNO KWON from Pixabay
9. BBQ Ramen
Who says you can't mix Western and Asian foods together? Mix your cooked ramen with barbecue sauce and top with with some grilled chicken or pork to bring together the best of both worlds. You'll be surprised by how tasty your ramen will be; it'll have a smoky, savory flavour that's perfect for anyone who loves a touch of sweetness in their dishes.
10. Avocado and Lemon Ramen
It's true when they say that avocado goes well with everything! You've probably never considered this pairing before but adding chopped avocado and a squeeze of lemon juice to your cooked ramen is surprisingly good. This hack introduces you to a creamy, fresh, and zesty flavour that'll bring a bit of a healthy twist to your traditional ramen.
11. Tomato Basil Ramen
Next up: a fusion of Italian and Asian cuisines. Add tomato sauce and fresh basil to your cooked ramen for the ultimate quick Italian snack. This gives the noodles a tangy and herbaceous flavour, easily comparable to a pasta dish. Top it with some grated Parmesan if you're feeling extra fancy, and voila, you've got yourself a delicious fusion ramen.
Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay
12. Ramen Carbonara
For a quick carbonara, mix a raw egg, grated cheese, and black pepper into your hot ramen. The heat from the noodles cooks the egg, creating a creamy and rich sauce, similar to traditional Italian carbonara.
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13. Ramen Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Have you ever tried ramen not in ramen form? Noodles are a versatile ingredient that can be transformed into many things...like bread for a grilled cheese sandwich! Cook the ramen as usual and let it cool slightly. Then press the noodles into a square shape, about the size of a bread slice, and pan-fry it until it gets golden and crispy on both sides. Just follow the process of making a regular grilled cheese (except these ramen slices are your bread) and you've got an inventive and tasty dish that really emphasizes the novelty of ramen!
Image by -Rita-👩🍳 und 📷 mit ❤ from Pixabay
14. Thai Peanut Ramen
For a delicious Thai-flavoured kick, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, and a hint of chili sauce to create the most amazing sauce for your cooked ramen. Garnish with chopped green onions and crushed peanuts for that extra crunch and flavour. Who knew ramen could be so elegant?
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15. Ramen Pizza
Let's get even more experimental! Press cooked ramen into a pan to form the base of your pizza. Add some pizza sauce, cheese, and top it with your favourite pizza toppings. Bake until nice and crispy, and enjoy! This creative twist will certainly be an eye-opening pizza experience!
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16. Cheesy Delight Ramen Hack
Transform your ramen into a gooey, cheesy delight with this simple addition. After cooking your ramen, stir in a slice or two of your favorite cheese, such as cheddar or American, until it melts into the broth, creating a creamy, rich texture. For an extra flavor boost, sprinkle in some garlic powder and a pinch of black pepper. This cheesy upgrade is perfect for those who love a comforting, hearty meal.
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17. Bacon and Egg Breakfast Ramen
Ramen is perfect for any time of the day, especially when you're in a rush or don't have much food to work with at home. For this delicious breakfast ramen, simply cook bacon in a pan, and then prepare your ramen in the same pan to absorb all that yummy bacon flavour. Top it off with a fried egg and you've got a hearty breakfast right there.
Image by Dorian Lee from Pixabay
18. Ramen Tacos
This time, let's try some Mexican Asian fusion! Bake your cooked ramen in a taco mold to create the crispy crunchy base of your taco. Once ready, load it up with your favourite fillings like ground meat, lettuce, cheese, and salsa. This hack is perfect for a fun night of exploring different flavours and textures.
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19. Ramen Burger
Form cooked ramen into bun shapes and pan-fry until crispy. Use these as buns for a burger patty, adding lettuce, tomato, and your preferred condiments. This creates a unique and crunchy burger experience.
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20. Creamy Mushroom Ramen
Sauté mushrooms and onions, then mix them into your cooked ramen with a splash of cream. This gives a luxurious and savory flavor, perfect for a quick yet indulgent meal.
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