I grew up eating 25-cent, microwave-and-eat, sodium-explosion ramen noodle soup—didn’t we all? This continued well into my college years…and beyond. Then I learned some tricks for making tasty broth using rehydrated mushrooms, veggies, or simmering bones. Then I add in lots of veggies, herby toppings, and even REAL MEAT. The resulting ramen noodle soup is a million times better, and far better for you. One caveat: it takes a little longer. But I promise you that it’s worth it!
To make this soup even healthier, I recently started using alkaline noodles. See, ramen noodles are cooked and deep fried before packaging, so the final ramen noodle soup can be a calorie explosion as well. Check out Serious Eats’ tutorial on making alkaline noodles here. Here is my “grown-up” version of ramen noodle soup. Enjoy!
- 1 package of Ramen noodles (throw away the flavor packet)
- 2 tsp. finely grated, fresh ginger
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- ½ cup rehydrated mushrooms (optional, liquid reserved)
- 1 carrot, grated
- 3 cups vegetable or meat broth (got rehydrated mushrooms?
- Use the strained liquid!)
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce, or to taste
- 2 tsp. sesame oil
- Generous squirt of Sri Racha
- 1 egg (optional)
- ¾ c. chopped Napa cabbage or bok choy (optional)
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- Heat the sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger; stir until fragrant (about 2 minutes). Stir in your broth and soy sauce; bring to a simmer. Add in your noodles. NOTE: if you don’t like slurping up long strands of noodles, you can crunch up the noodles while they’re still in the package. Otherwise, stir as they soften in the broth to break them up. Squirt in the Sri Racha.
- If you are using an egg, you can add it now. Note that you have a couple of different options here: 1) you can crack the egg into a ramekin and drop it into the broth, in which case you’ll have a perfectly poached egg hiding out beneath your noodles; or 2) you can beat the egg and swirl it slowly into the broth, which will give you little ribbons of egg strewn like confetti throughout your broth.
- In either case, allow two minutes to let the eggs set, then stir in the carrots and cabbage (if using). NOTE: If you went the poached egg route, stir only very gently so that you don’t break your yolk. Cook for an additional two minutes.
- Dish the soup into bowls, garnish will scallions, and enjoy!
I have a secret obsession with ramen noodles. I haven’t had it in years but I always eye them in the supermarket as I pass by the soup aisle. Your version sounds yummy! One thing I remember doing in college, is putting a piece of american cheese on the bottom of the bowl and pouring the hot soup over it. 🙂
Oh, wow! I will ABSOLUTELY be trying your cheese trick! Thanks, Elaine!
That is interesting information about ramen noodles. I remember them well, but have not had them in years. I love how you improved them with such wonderful ingredients!
Thank you, Christine! I hope you’ll give them a try again: ramen makes such an easy meal!
I’ve done the cheese trick, too, I love the noodles but never cared much for the flavor pack. Yours is a good idea, to add real stock and a few other healthy and flavorful things!
Thank you, Dan!! Now I DEFINITELY have to try the cheese.
Yummy! Soups are such a great comfort food, love this idea! So many great flavors!
Thank you, Kim!
I am a Ramen packet addict too – or was, until I discovered the real deal. So much better, infinitely so. Your version seems like the best of both worlds, not as complex as the original version, so much more healthier than the instant kind. I can’t wait to try this next time a Ramen craving hits.
Thank you, Tina! I hope you enjoy it!
I so remember the 25 cent ramen! I’m a huge ramen fan and this “grown-up” version sounds delicious! 🙂
Thank you, Valentina!