Check out our ideal, simple ramen recipe that will show you how to make authentic Japanese ramen at home! You start with a simple store bought ramen pack, and just add a few ingredients from your own kitchen. So simple!
Do you love ramen but don’t know how to prepare it at home? You’re in luck.
You can simply start by buying this maruchan ramen kit that you can get on Amazon. This ramen kit is quite popular in Japan, and is very different from maruchan instant chicken noodle you see at typical US grocery stores. Although we still recommend using fresh ramen noodles (if you can find them at local Asian/Japanese markets) and prepare soup stock yourself, this maruchan ramen kit tastes quite authentic.
Check out our super simple recipe to make authentic ramen noodles in your kitchen.
What Toppings Should I Use?
It’s important to cook the noodles right before serving, so make sure to prepare any of the ingredients you want to use to top the ramen before cooking the noodles. Here are some of the recommendations for toppings that mirror those used in any ramen shop in Japan:
- Boiled spinach (just pop in boiling water for 2-3 minutes)
- Hard boiled egg (see recipe here)
- Chopped scallions
- Cooked thick ham or pork belly (check out cha-shu pork recipe here!)
Start by assembling any of these ingredients that you want, cook as needed and set aside. When you add them to the hot noodles, they will heat right back.
Noodle Preparation
Thankfully, with the help of the prepackaged ramen noodles this process is super simple! Once you have all your desired toppings prepared, follow these steps to make the noodles.
Ingredients:
2 and 1/2 cups of water
1 ramen package (serves one)
1 flavor pack (included in ramen package)
Pre-prepared toppings
Steps:
- Boil 2 and 1/2 cups of water over high heat.
- Once the water has come to a roiling boil, reduce heat to medium and add the noodles to the boiling water.
- Let the noodles float on the surface for one minute, without touching or stirring.
- After 1 minute, flip the noodle block once using a fork or chopsticks.
- Then take the chopsticks or fork and begin gently separating the noodles.
- Let the noodles cook for 2 more minutes. Total cook time for the noodles is 3 minutes.
- While the noodles are still cooking, pour the flavor packet into a small serving bowl.
- Once the noodles have finished cooking, pour the cooking water into the bowl with the flavor packet and stir to mix together. Do not discard any of the cooking water as it forms the bulk of the soup broth.
- Add the noodles to the mixture and stir to combine.
- Add the prepared toppings to the top of the noodle mixture and enjoy!
Who knew that making Japanese ramen was so simple and easy?! The best part of this kit is that it comes with soup stock and noodles, all you need is whatever ingredients you want to add to your ramen. This is the perfect recipe for a cold winter’s night when you don’t want to spend hours making dinner. We hope you enjoy!
