Ramen… can’t live with it, can’t without it. Although this instant noodles often gets a bad rep for being unhealthy, it was a staple for most of us in Malaysia. Whether you are a college student or a working professional, ramen is still among the cheaper yet economical options for either lunch, dinner or supper. Best of all, ramen is easy to make and doesn’t require a culinary skill of Gordon Ramsay or Jamie Oliver to whip up a good meal. But of course, cheap eat doesn’t have to be boring and mundane. Here are the 7 different ways to step up your ramen game.
1) Spicy Cheese Ramen
Got curry ramen? If you make a soup version, simply top a slice of cheddar cheese and let it melt along with your piping hot ramen. The combination of cheese and curry in your ramen soup will elevate your taste bud to a next level. But if you prefer a dry ramen, season them with cheddar powder or toss them together with melted cheese. Add some chili oil in case you want more spicy kick for your ramen.
2) Peanut Butter Ramen
Peanut butter is no doubt a versatile spread. You can eat it on its own or spread them on a piece of bread or cream cracker. The good news is, you can add peanut butter into your ramen as well. There are two ways you can do. You can coat your dry ramen with melted peanut butter sauce (creamy texture works the best!). Alternatively, you can mix in a dollop of peanut butter and hot sauce (chili, Tabasco or Sriracha) into your ramen soup.
3) Ham & Egg Ramen
Sure, you can opt for the usual egg drop variety. But why stop there? Make a sunny side up, poached or scrambled egg and add in a few slices of chicken or pork hams into your ramen soup. A great comfort food, indeed.
4) Chicken Ramen Stir-Fry
Looking for a quick yet delicious dinner? Opt for this classic stir-fry recipe. Add chicken strips, some vegetables of your choice (e.g. broccoli, green onions, carrots and/or bell peppers) and stir-fry them altogether with the cooked ramen noodles over medium-high heat. For finishing touch, sprinkle some sesame seeds or parsley flakes and serve immediately!
5) Kimchi Ramen
Consuming kimchi is definitely good for you. It has tons of health benefits such as promoting weight loss and boosting your immune system. Add them into your ramen soup using chicken or vegetable stock, sliced shiitake mushrooms and soy sauce. To add volume into your kimchi ramen, you can’t go wrong with one or two poached/soft-boiled eggs.
6) Ramen Burger
Who says a burger has to be sandwiched between burger buns? Substitute the burger buns with ramen noodles instead. To make a ramen burger, boil ramen as usual and let them cool for a while. Beat 2 eggs in a bowl and toss the ramen together until everything is evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper. Then, mold them into burger-like bun shapes and place a sheet of plastic wrap over the ramen noodles. Use a bowl or a mini pan to flatten the top of the ramen noodles. Finally, fry your ramen buns until golden crisp. As for the patties, opt for minced beef/chicken/pork or a combination of two or more and season them with ramen seasoning, sesame oil and soy sauce.
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