My husband and I went to Japan before our son was born. We enjoyed a lot of ramen while we were there as it was my husband’s favorite. If we ever go back, we will definitely be getting ramen almost every day. They make this simple dish so delicious! There are tons of things you can add to your $0.30 package to make it into a complete meal! Ramen is a classic cheap meal to eat when you’re broke. Here I have compiled 99 ways to enjoy ramen!
Related: 50 Ways To Upgrade Mac & Cheese
Flavors of ramen
There are many different flavors of ramen, this is some of the most common. The flavor of the ramen is exclusively in the flavor packet. If you don’t intend on adding the flavor packet, the flavor of the ramen doesn’t matter.
- Chicken
- Beef
- Oriental
- Shrimp
- Chili
- Pork
Styles
There are several ways you can prepare the packaged ramen, here are some of the most common.
- Stove top– Boil water on the stove, add noodles. Cook until the noodles are done.
- Fried noodles– Boil noodles until just cooked, then drain all water and place in a pan with oil or butter to make them crispy.
- Microwaved– Place noodles into a microwave safe bowl, pour 1/2 a cup of water over it. Microwave for one minute, then check it in 30 second intervals until it is done.
- Uncooked– Don’t cook the noodles and eat them like chips.
Sauces
Add one or more of the following sauces to add more flavor or texture your ramen
- Sesame oil– 1/2 a teaspoon is all you need
- Soy sauce– depending on how you are using this, you could add just a little or a lot.
- Teriyaki sauce– 1 tablespoon will add great flavor
- Worcestershire– 1/2 a teaspoon
- Mustard– a tiny dash
- Gochujang– this is quite spicy, so as much as you can handle
- Chili paste– again it’s spicy, so as much as you can handle
- Oyster sauce– 1/2 a teaspoon
- Rice vinegar– 1/2 a teaspoon
- Cream of mushroom– drain all water and add 1 can will make a creamy dish
- Cream of chicken-drain all water and add 1 can will make a creamy dish
- Alfredo– 3 tablespoons
- Better than bullion– 1 tsp for some added flavor or instead of the flavor packet
- A1– as much or little as you want
- Taco Bell sauce– there are lots of taco bell sauces you can get, add as much or little as you want
- Sriracha– as much as you can handle
- Buffalo sauce– as much or little as you want
- Franks hot sauce– a couple of splashes will give your ramen a kick
- Tabasco– a few splashes will add that extra flavor you’re looking for
- Salsa– Mix in 1/4 a cup
- Peanut butter– drain all water and stir in a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter, it will give your ramen a pad thai taste
- Mayo– add a couple of tablespoons for a creamy texture
- Sour cream– add a couple of tablespoons for a creamy texture
- Pickle juice– for a unique flavor try pickle juice, about 2 tsp
- Nacho cheese– add a couple of spoonful’s of nacho cheese sauce for cheesy noodles
- Italian dressing– add 1 tablespoon for an original flavor
- Ranch (with oriental flavor)– 2 tbsp of ranch is specifically is great with oriental flavoring, try it with other flavors at your own risk
Spices
For the following spices start small and add as much as you want. Make sure to taste it periodically before dumping too much in.
- Ginger
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic salt
- Onion powder
- Lemon pepper
- Tajín seasoning
- Red pepper flakes
- Taco seasoning
Produce
Add as much or as little produce as you want to your ramen. Produce is the best way to upgrade your ramen for cheap.
- Green onions
- Acocado
- Tomatoes
- Bean sprouts
- Corn
- Mushrooms
- Bell pepper
- Shredded cabbage
- Bokchoy
- Leek
- Celery
- Asparagus
- Brussels sprouts
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Peas
- Garlic
- Onion
- Carrots (shredded or thinly sliced)
- Jalapeños
- Diced tomatoes (drained)
- Lime
- Parsley
- Cilantro
Related: How To Have The Best Grilled Cheese
Protein
From eggs to tofu, protein will help make your ramen into a complete meal. A serving of one protein is all you need to take your ramen to the next level.
- Fried egg
- Poached egg
- Soft boiled egg
- Egg drop-add in a raw egg in last 2 minutes of cooking the noodles
- Chicken
- Beef tips
- Steak
- Spam
- Hotdogs
- Bologna
- Bacon bits
- Summer sausage
- Kielbasa
- Ham
- Pork
- Ground beef
- Tuna
- Shrimp
- Imitation crab
- Salmon
- Tofu
Other things to add to your ramen
- Butter– add 2 tbsp
- Milk-add 2 tbsp for a creamy broth
- Coconut milk– after draining the water, add half a can of coconut milk for the broth
- Oil- sesame oil, olive oil, avocado oil, any oil will help your ramen have a bit more flavor
- Wontons/dumplings/pot stickers– a typical add in for ramen, these will make your ramen perfect
- Ravioli– complete your easy meal by combining an easy frozen dish
- Kimchi– for some spice and flavor try kimchi
- Parmesan cheese– top your ramen with a sprinkle of the grated kind, or stir in the shredded kind for a creamy texture
- Brown sugar– a tiny bit of sugar will add the sweetness you need to change up your ramen
Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Nori
- Crushed Doritos
- Cheetos
- Fried onions
Specific combinations
- Boil in 1/2 cup cream 1/2 cup chicken stock add parmesan & spinach
- Fry the noodles and add in beef & broccoli. Stir in soy sauce & sesame oil. Top with sesame seeds
- Cook noodles drain all water add in peanut butter top with green onions and sesame seeds
- Don’t add the seasoning packet, add butter, garlic and onion powder.
- Cook cabbage, green onions, and carrots in soy sauce and oyster sauce. Cook chicken in soy sauce and rice vinegar add everything in a bowl top with a boiled egg and nori
- Cook as usual. Add cheese, pickle juice, summer sausage and mayo.
There are so many ways you can enjoy ramen! Mix and match and have fun tasting new favorite ways to eat this classic cheap meal! Do you need a cheap and healthy soup? Check out this Whole30 compliant chicken soup.
