Since the home quarantine started in mid March, we have had a ramen meal at least twice a week. That is not usual for us since it is of the opinion that we should try to feed our family more nutritious meals at home. Cooking 3 meals a day for the family is quite a task if not a chore and trying to come up with ideas that are new and exciting fell out of favor by the 3rd week of our 18-week, and counting, self-quarantine.
A instant ramen packet lunch, or more like brunch when the boys wake up around 11am, can be a delicious homemade option. Just modify a few things like, your own broth, fresh meat and vegetables. So, basically, use the ramen and spice pack, add everything else new.
My version:
Fry up some cabbage kimchi and leftover meat on hand or sliced porkbelly with a bit of butter until meat is fully cooked and kimchi is soft. Add water or more broth (unsalted) and spice pack until meat is soft, about 20 minutes.
While broth is at a medium boil, start the soft boiled eggs (bring water to boil with eggs, reduce heat and simmer for 4 minutes. Cool in cold tap water).
Taste the broth for flavor. need more spice? Add red pepper flakes. Not salty enough? Add soysauce. This is also the time you can add vegetables like Bokchoy if you didn’t start with Kimchi, matchstick carrots, spinach, zuccini, broccoli. If you wanted onions, should have fried them with the meat for a softer onion, but you can slice them thin and add now. Mushrooms, so many different variety, you can experiment. Chop up some green onions now for later. Sometimes, leftover vegetables from last night’s dinner end up in our Ramen.
Add noodles and cook to doneness, another 5 minutes. (I have also cooked noodles separately for a clear broth, but you can add to your soup to save having to wash another pot!)
Serve into Ramen Bowl, garnish with the chopped green onions and the soft boiled egg (peeled and halved). If you used the recommended liquid amount from the instant ramen packets, you should be able to pour the content of your sauce pan directly into my bowl…perfect size!
We like the Korean brands of instant ramen like Jin Ramen, Shin Ramen and Neoguri. These are quite spicey, I use about .75 of the spice pack and add about a teaspoon of soy sauce.
Enjoy!