Ramen is a classic one-pot dish that can be prepared in a flash, much like boxed mac & cheese. But did you know that microwave ramen is just as easy to make? Instant ramen may be prepared quickly and at a low cost.
While preparing ramen on a stovetop is very easy, microwaving it makes it even quicker to eat. There is no need to use a hob or even a pot. Learn how to make instant ramen with just the push of a button, and how to spice it up with some extra ingredients.
Instructions for Cooking Microwave Ramen
Ramen cooked in a microwave looks different than ramen cooked in a pot on the stove. Prepare a sizable bowl that can go in the microwave along with some plastic wrap or a silicone lid.
Ingredients
- One package of instant ramen
- Water to boil, about 2 cups
- a single flavour packet
Directions:
Step 1: Add noodles to the pot of boiling water.
Two cups of water should be heated to boiling in a kettle or for two minutes in a microwave-safe bowl or Pyrex measuring cup. While that’s going on, take the noodles out of their container and put them in a big microwave-safe bowl.
Toss the noodles into the bowl and cover them with boiling water. The noodles can be cut into smaller pieces if they won’t all fit in the bowl.
Step 2: In a microwave, cover and heat for a short time
Wrap plastic wrap around the bowl or use a silicone lid to seal it. Two minutes on high in the microwave.
Step 3: Test the doneness of the noodles.
If you don’t have microwave mitts, take the bowl from the microwave and mix the noodles. Since microwaves vary in power, you should taste the noodles to make sure they’re done, and if they’re still too firm, microwave them for an additional 30 seconds on high.
Step 4: Dress up the ramen
When adding the flavour package, swirl vigorously to ensure that all of the powder is incorporated into the broth. Garnish with sesame seeds, furikake, or green onions, among other options.
How to Perfect Your Ramen
A noodle lover’s worst fear is a bowl of overcooked noodles. Uneven cooking is common when using a microwave, but this is surprisingly simple to accomplish. Noodles should stay al dente if you use a big enough bowl and pour enough water over them.
If you’re using your largest bowl but the boiling water still doesn’t reach the noodles, break them up. This will help the noodles cook evenly and prevent some from being underdone. The raw noodles can be microwaved in the seasoned broth after the flavour package has been added along with the boiling water.
Noodles cooked in a seasoned broth retain more of the broth’s flavour than they would if cooked in plain water. Only use around half of the flavour packet if you’re watching your sodium intake. You can always add more after tasting it.
Alternate Ramen Recipes for the Microwave
With an abundance of refrigerator and pantry items, even the greatest instant ramen noodles may be elevated to gourmet status. Add a dash of sesame oil (no more than 1/2 teaspoon) and a few shakes of sesame seeds (approximately 1/2 teaspoon) to your bowl to amp up the sesame flavour.
Sprinkle some chopped green onions over the top of your noodle dish. Instantly revitalises the flavour of instant noodles. Add a few tablespoons of frozen corn, broccoli or shelled edamame for an extra vegetable-based vitamin boost. They can be added to the bowl before the noodles are microwaved.
The addition of an egg is common in ramen noodle recipes. If you want to add some protein to your soup, you can do so by microwaving an egg along with your noodles and water. If the egg isn’t quite as done as you’d like, you might need to microwave the noodles for an extra 30 seconds.
After the ramen has finished its time in the microwave, the egg yolk can be pierced and the rich yolk mixed into the broth. Add a tablespoon of Kewpie mayonnaise and as much sriracha as you like (maybe a teaspoon) to the bowl in addition to the spice package for a luxurious and somewhat spicy bowl of ramen. Stir the ingredients well so that the seasonings are evenly distributed and the soup is creamy and spicy.
