What is Ramen Noodles?
Ramen Noodles are said to have originated in Japan through the introduction of Chinese noodle dishes, which then fused with Japanese food culture. It has become a beloved food worldwide. Ramen consists of noodles, a soup made from broth, sauce, and fat, as well as various ingredients such as toppings. There are many types of ramen, with notable varieties including Miso ramen, Salt ramen, Shoyu ramen, and Tonkotsu ramen.
Furthermore, Japan is home to numerous regional variations of ramen (like Hakata ramen, Hakodate ramen, Kitakata ramen, etc.), each rooted in local traditions, offering the opportunity to enjoy the distinctive flavors of each region. This regional diversity adds to the allure of ramen.
In recent years, as restaurants offering authentic ramen outside of Japan have increased, you may sometimes want to enjoy the delicious ramen you’ve tasted there at home.
Here, I’ll introduce ramen options that you can purchase at supermarkets and prepare at home.
Fresh ramen noodles
These are “fresh, uncooked, and undried noodles,” typically requiring refrigeration due to their short shelf life. Despite this, they offer a texture and flavor quality that closely resembles ramen served in restaurants.
Half-cooked ramen noodles
Fresh ramen noodles that have been dried while retaining a high moisture content, preserving their texture and flavor similar to fresh noodles but with improved shelf life.
Boiled ramen noodles
These are ramen noodles that have undergone a boiling process, similar to how udon noodles are often prepared in Japan. They are known for their soft texture. They can be cooked quickly due to a short boiling time, but they require refrigeration for storage and have a short shelf life.
Dried ramen noodles
This is ramen made from fresh noodles that have undergone a drying process, similar to the manufacturing method used for pasta. Typically known for its firm texture (‘koshi’), it can be stored for long periods. It is convenient as a staple food at home since it can be stored at room temperature.
Instant ramen noodles
“Instant noodles” are noodles that come with seasoning packets or are pre-flavored with seasonings, allowing for easy preparation by simply adding hot water. They can include variations such as noodles fried in oil or noodles dried with hot air.
Now, let me introduce the basic cooking method for ramen noodles.
How to basic cook Ramen Noodles.
1. Bring water to a boil.
Start by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil. A general guideline is to use about 1.5 liters of water for every 3.5 oz (100 g) of dried ramen noodles. Since the noodles will expand as they cook, it’s important to have plenty of water in the pot to ensure they have enough space to move around freely.
2. Boil the ramen noodles.
Carefully add the dried ramen noodles to the boiling water, ensuring they don’t stick together. Gently and swiftly stir the noodles to prevent them from clumping together. Adjust the heat so that the noodles are boiling gently, and cook them for the time specified on the package instructions.
3. Place the ramen noodles.
Once the ramen noodles are cooked to your desired texture, use a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer a small portion of the noodles from the pot to a bowl. Taste to check if they are cooked to your liking. If they are ready, turn off the heat and immediately drain the noodles in a colander.
4. Save the Ramen.
After draining the ramen noodles well, plate them according to your preference.
Add the well-drained noodles to warm soup and top with your choice of meat or vegetables as desired.
Following these steps, you can enjoy delicious ramen noodles cooked to perfection.
Easy and healthy Ramen Noodles recipies.
Miso Coconut Ramen（cooking time：10 min）
Ingredients (For 2 servings)
- 7oz（200 g）Dried ramen noodles
- ★30.4 fl oz（900ml）Vegetable broth
- ★1 can（14oz）Coconut milk
- ★2 tablespoons White miso paste
- ★2 cloves Garlic（minced）
- ★1 piece Ginger（grated）
- ★1 tablespoon Soy sauce
- ★1 tablespoon Sesame oil
- 4 Shiitake mushroom（thinly sliced）
- 2 heads Baby bok choy
Toppings(optional)
- Soft-boiled eggs
- Fresh cilantro leaves
Method
1．Boil the dried noodle ramen according to the package instructions, drain, and set aside.
2．In a pot, combine and mix the ingredients marked with ★, then bring to a boil.
3．Add shiitake mushroom and baby bok choy, and simmer until tender.
4．Serve cooked noodles and soup with vegetables in a bowl.
5．Optionally, top with soft-boiled egg and fresh cilantro according to your preference.
Shrimp and Vegetable Yaki Ramen（cooking time 15 min）
Ingredients (For 2 servings)
- 7oz（200g）Dried ramen noodles
- 1 tablespoon Grape seed oil
- 1 Onion (cut into wedges)
- 2 cloves Garlic (crushed)
- 7oz（200g）Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- ★1 Zucchini (cut into 2cm lengths)
- ★1oz（28g）Broccoli sprouts
- ★2 Green onions (cut into 2cm lengths)
Stir-Fry Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon Mirin
- 1/2 tablespoon Sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon Ginger (grated)
Toppings(optional)
- Chopped Green onions(chopped)
- Toasted sesame seeds
Method
1．Boil the dried noodle ramen according to the package instructions, drain, and set aside.
2．Mix together the ingredients for the sauce.
3．Heat grape seed oil in a large frying pan, add onion and garlic, and sauté for about 1 minute.
4．Add shrimp and half of the sauce mixture, stir-fry until the shrimp are cooked through. Then, add ingredients ★ and the remaining sauce, and stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes.
5．Add the cooked noodles to the pan, mix well with the sauce and ingredients, then serve in bowls. Optionally, top with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Chilli Chicken Ramen（cooking time 25min）
Ingredients (For 2 servings)
- 7oz（200g）Dried ramen noodles
- 3 tablespoons Peanut oil (or Sesame oil)
- 1 Onion (thinly sliced)
- ★2 cloves Garlic (crushed)
- ★1 piece Ginger (finely chopped)
- ★1/2 Carrot (finely chopped)
- ★1 Green chili pepper (finely chopped)
- 30 fl oz（900ml） Chicken broth
- 1.3 fl oz（40ml） Rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
- A pinch of Salt and Pepper
- 1 Chicken breast
- 1/2 Red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- Fresh cilantro leaves（if you like）
- 1 tablespoon Chili oil
Method
1．Heat peanut oil (or sesame oil) in a heated pan, add ★, and stir-fry.
2．Once the onions are cooked, add chicken broth, rice vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
3．Once boiling, add the chicken breast, cover, and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
4．Remove the cooked chicken breast, then add the dried noodle ramen and cook for the time specified on the package.
5．Serve the noodles and soup in bowls, garnish with sliced chicken, bell pepper, fresh cilantro leaves if you like, and drizzle with chili oil before serving.
