Ramen Is One Of The Most Popular And Versatile Dishes In The World. It Can Be Enjoyed As A Quick And Easy Meal, A Comforting Soup, Or A Gourmet Feast.
But Did You Know That Ramen Can Also Be Transformed Into Something Completely Different And Delicious?
In This Blog Post, We Will Explore Some Of The Most Unconventional Ramen Recipes That Will Surprise And Delight Your Taste Buds.
Whether You Are Looking For A New Way To Use Up Leftover Noodles, A Creative Twist On A Classic Dish, Or A Fusion Of Cuisines, These Ramen Recipes Will Inspire You To Think Outside The Bowl.
Ramen Burger
One Of The Most Famous Examples Of Unconventional Ramen Is The Ramen Burger, Which Was Invented By Chef Keizo Shimamoto In 2013.
The Ramen Burger Consists Of A Beef Patty Sandwiched Between Two Buns Made Of Cooked Ramen Noodles That Are Shaped And Fried Until Crispy.
The Burger Is Topped With Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, And A Special Sauce Made Of Soy Sauce, Ketchup, And Mayonnaise. The Result Is A Juicy And Flavorful Burger With A Crunchy And Chewy Texture That Is Unlike Any Other.
To Make Your Own Ramen Burger At Home, You Will Need:
- 2 Packages Of Instant Ramen Noodles
- 2 Eggs
- Vegetable Oil
- Salt And Pepper
- 4 Beef Patties
- 4 Slices Of Cheese
- Lettuce Leaves
- Tomato Slices
- Onion Slices
- 1/4 Cup Of Soy Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Of Ketchup
- 2 Tablespoons Of Mayonnaise
Instructions:
- Cook The Ramen Noodles According To The Package Directions, But Do Not Add The Seasoning Packets. Drain The Noodles And Rinse Them Under Cold Water. Transfer Them To A Large Bowl And Toss Them With One Beaten Egg.
- Divide The Noodle Mixture Into Eight Equal Portions And Shape Them Into Thin Patties. Place Them On A Baking Sheet Lined With Parchment Paper And Refrigerate For At Least 15 Minutes To Firm Up.
- In A Small Bowl, Whisk Together The Soy Sauce, Ketchup, And Mayonnaise To Make The Sauce. Set Aside.
- Heat Some Oil In A Large Skillet Over Medium-High Heat. Fry The Noodle Patties For About 3 Minutes Per Side Or Until Golden And Crisp. Drain Them On Paper Towels And Sprinkle With Salt.
- In The Same Skillet, Cook The Beef Patties For About 4 Minutes Per Side Or Until Done To Your Liking. Season With Salt And Pepper And Top With Cheese In The Last Minute Of Cooking.
- To Assemble The Burgers, Place One Noodle Patty On A Plate And Spread Some Sauce On It. Top With A Beef Patty, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, And Another Noodle Patty. Repeat With The Remaining Ingredients To Make Four Burgers.
- Enjoy Your Ramen Burger With More Sauce If Desired.
Ramen Pizza
Another Way To Turn Ramen Into A Satisfying And Fun Meal Is To Make Ramen Pizza. This Recipe Uses Cooked Ramen Noodles As The Base For A Pizza Crust That Is Topped With Cheese, Tomato Sauce, And Your Favorite Toppings.
You Can Bake It In The Oven Or Cook It On The Stovetop For A Quick And Easy Pizza Night.
To Make Your Own Ramen Pizza At Home, You Will Need:
- 2 Packages Of Instant Ramen Noodles
- 2 Eggs
- Vegetable Oil
- Salt And Pepper
- 1 Cup Of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1/4 Cup Of Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 Cup Of Tomato Sauce
- Your Choice Of Pizza Toppings (Such As Pepperoni, Mushrooms, Olives, Etc.)
Instructions:
- Cook The Ramen Noodles According To The Package Directions, But Do Not Add The Seasoning Packets. Drain The Noodles And Rinse Them Under Cold Water. Transfer Them To A Large Bowl And Toss Them With One Beaten Egg.
- Preheat The Oven To 375°f (190°c) And Lightly Grease A 9-Inch (23-Cm) Pie Dish Or Cake Pan. Press The Noodle Mixture Evenly Into The Bottom And Up The Sides Of The Prepared Pan To Form A Crust. Bake For 15 Minutes Or Until Set And Lightly Browned.
- Sprinkle Half Of The Mozzarella Cheese And Half Of The Parmesan Cheese Over The Crust. Spoon The Tomato Sauce Over The Cheese And Spread It Evenly. Top With Your Choice Of Pizza Toppings And The Remaining Cheese.
- Bake For Another 10 Minutes Or Until The Cheese Is Melted And Bubbly.
- Cut Into Slices And Enjoy Your Ramen Pizza.
Alternatively, You Can Make Your Ramen Pizza On The Stovetop By Following These Steps:
- Cook The Ramen Noodles According To The Package Directions, But Do Not Add The Seasoning Packets. Drain The Noodles And Rinse Them Under Cold Water. Transfer Them To A Large Bowl And Toss Them With One Beaten Egg.
- Heat Some Oil In A Large Nonstick Skillet Over Medium-High Heat. Add The Noodle Mixture And Spread It Evenly Over The Bottom Of The Pan To Form A Crust. Cook For About 10 Minutes Or Until Golden And Crisp On One Side, Flipping Halfway Through.
- Sprinkle Half Of The Mozzarella Cheese And Half Of The Parmesan Cheese Over The Crust. Spoon The Tomato Sauce Over The Cheese And Spread It Evenly. Top With Your Choice Of Pizza Toppings And The Remaining Cheese.
- Cover The Skillet With A Lid And Reduce The Heat To Low. Cook For Another 10 Minutes Or Until The Cheese Is Melted And Bubbly.
- Cut Into Slices And Enjoy Your Ramen Pizza.
Ramen Salad
If You Are Looking For A Lighter And Fresher Way To Enjoy Ramen, You Can Try Making Ramen Salad.
This Recipe Uses Uncooked Ramen Noodles As A Crunchy Addition To A Colorful Salad That Is Tossed With A Tangy Dressing Made Of Vinegar, Sugar, Oil, And Seasonings.
You Can Add Any Vegetables Or Protein You Like To Make This Salad More Filling And Nutritious.
To Make Your Own Ramen Salad At Home, You Will Need:
- 1 Package Of Instant Ramen Noodles
- 4 Cups Of Shredded Cabbage (Or Coleslaw Mix)
- 2 Cups Of Shredded Carrots
- 4 Green Onions, Sliced
- 1/4 Cup Of Sliced Almonds
- 1/4 Cup Of Sunflower Seeds
- 1/4 Cup Of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 Cup Of Granulated Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Of Vegetable Oil
- Salt And Pepper
- Your Choice Of Additional Ingredients (Such As Chicken, Shrimp, Tofu, Edamame, Etc.)
Instructions:
- Break Up The Ramen Noodles Into Small Pieces (Discard Or Save The Seasoning Packet For Another Use). Place Them In A Large Bowl Along With The Cabbage, Carrots, Green Onions, Almonds, And Sunflower Seeds.
- In A Small Saucepan Over Medium Heat, Whisk Together The Vinegar, Sugar, Oil, Salt, Pepper, And Half Of The Seasoning Packet (If Using). Bring To A Boil Then Reduce To A Simmer Until Slightly Thickened.
- Pour The Dressing Over The Salad Mixture And Toss Well To Coat Everything Evenly.
- Refrigerate For At Least An Hour Or Overnight To Let The Flavors Meld.
- Add Your Choice Of Additional Ingredients Before Serving If Desired.
- Enjoy Your Ramen Salad Cold Or At Room Temperature.
Ramen Macaroni And Cheese
If You Love Macaroni And Cheese But Want To Try Something Different From Pasta, You Can Use Ramen Noodles Instead For A Creamy And Cheesy Dish That Is Easy To Make In One Pot On The Stovetop Or In The Microwave.
- To Make Your Own Ramen Macaroni And Cheese At Home, You Will Need:
- 2 Packages Of Instant Ramen Noodles
- 2 Cups Of Milk
- 2 Tablespoons Of Butter
- 2 Cups Of Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Salt And Pepper
Instructions:
Stovetop Method:
- Cook The Ramen Noodles According To The Package Directions, But Do Not Add The Seasoning Packets. Drain The Noodles And Return Them To The Pot.
- Add The Milk, Butter, Cheese, Salt, And Pepper To The Pot And Bring To A Boil Over Medium-High Heat, Stirring Frequently.
- Reduce The Heat And Simmer Until The Cheese Is Melted And Smooth, And The Sauce Is Thickened, About 10 Minutes.
- Enjoy Your Ramen Macaroni And Cheese Hot.
- Microwave Method:
- Break Up The Ramen Noodles Into Small Pieces (Discard Or Save The Seasoning Packets For Another Use). Place Them In A Large Microwave-Safe Bowl Along With Enough Water To Cover Them.
- Microwave On High For About 3 Minutes Or Until Soft, Stirring Once Halfway Through. Drain Off Any Excess Water.
- Add The Milk, Butter, Cheese, Salt, And Pepper To The Bowl And Microwave On High For Another 3 Minutes Or Until Bubbly, Stirring Once Halfway Through.
- Enjoy Your Ramen Macaroni And Cheese Hot.
Conclusion
Ramen Is Not Only Delicious But Also Versatile And Adaptable To Many Different Cuisines And Dishes.
You Can Use It As An Alternative To Bread Or Pasta For Making Burgers Or Pizzas; You Can Use It As A Crunchy Ingredient For Making Salads; Or You Can Use It As A Base For Making Creamy Macaroni And Cheese.
These Are Just Some Of The Examples Of Unconventional Ramen Recipes That You Can Try At Home With Simple Ingredients And Easy Steps.
The Next Time You Have Some Leftover Or Uncooked Ramen Noodles In Your Pantry, Don’t Hesitate To Experiment With Them And Create Your Own Unique Dishes That Will Impress Yourself And Others.
Related Faq’s
Q: What are some benefits of using ramen noodles for making different dishes?
A: Ramen noodles are cheap, easy to cook, and widely available. They can also add texture, flavor, and variety to your meals. You can use them to make dishes that are suitable for different occasions, such as snacks, lunches, dinners, or parties.
Q: How can I store leftover cooked ramen noodles?
A: You can store leftover cooked ramen noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop with some water or sauce. You can also freeze them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months and thaw them before reheating.
Q: How can I make my own ramen noodles from scratch?
A: You can make your own ramen noodles from scratch by following this recipe:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons of water
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and water.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the egg mixture. Stir with a fork until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Add more flour or water as needed to adjust the consistency.
- Divide the dough into four equal pieces and cover them with a damp cloth to prevent drying out.
- Roll out each piece of dough into a thin sheet with a rolling pin or a pasta machine. Cut into thin strips with a knife or a pizza cutter.
- Dust the noodles with some flour to prevent sticking and let them air dry for about 15 minutes or until slightly firm.
- Cook the noodles in boiling water for about 3 minutes or until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Use them for your desired dishes.
Q: What are some other unconventional ways to use ramen noodles?
A: Some other unconventional ways to use ramen noodles are:
- Ramen waffles: Cook the ramen noodles according to the package directions, but do not add the seasoning packets. Drain and toss with some beaten eggs and cheese. Cook in a waffle maker until golden and crisp. Serve with butter and syrup or your favorite toppings.
- Ramen nachos: Cook the ramen noodles according to the package directions, but do not add the seasoning packets. Drain and spread on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes or until melted and bubbly. Top with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños, or your favorite nacho toppings.
- Ramen muffins: Cook the ramen noodles according to the package directions, but do not add the seasoning packets. Drain and chop into small pieces. In a large bowl, whisk together some eggs, milk, cheese, bacon bits, green onions, salt, and pepper. Stir in the chopped noodles. Spoon the batter into greased muffin cups and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes or until golden and set. Enjoy as a breakfast or snack.
- Ramen stir-fry: Cook the ramen noodles according to the package directions, but do not add the seasoning packets. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet over high heat, stir-fry some sliced chicken, beef, pork, tofu, or shrimp with some oil, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch until cooked through and thickened. Add some sliced vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, cabbage, mushrooms, bell peppers, or snow peas and cook until crisp-tender. Toss with the cooked noodles and serve hot.
Q: Where can I find more unconventional ramen recipes?
A: You can find more unconventional ramen recipes online by searching for keywords such as “ramen hacks”, “ramen recipes”, “creative ramen”, or “ramen variations”. You can also check out some cookbooks or blogs that feature ramen dishes from different cuisines and cultures.