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Transform simple instant ramen into a restaurant-worthy dish with this quick and flavorful recipe. The perfect balance of chewy noodles and savory sauce creates a satisfying meal that's ready in just 15 minutes.
Through countless bowls, I've discovered that proper noodle cooking and sauce balance create the perfect ramen experience.
Essential Ingredients
- Instant Ramen: Discard seasoning packets
- Soy Sauce: Low sodium preferred
- Sesame Oil: Toasted variety
- Maple Syrup: For balance
- Rice Vinegar: Adds brightness
- Garlic: Fresh minced
- Ginger: Fresh grated
- Red Pepper Flakes: To taste
Detailed Instructions
- 1. Noodle Preparation:
- Cook ramen 1 minute less than package directions - they should be slightly firm. Reserve 1 cup cooking water before draining. Toss noodles with small amount of oil to prevent sticking.
- 2. Sauce Creation:
- Whisk together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon grated ginger. Add red pepper flakes to taste.
- 3. Protein Cooking:
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chosen protein (tofu, chicken, or shrimp) until golden. Remove from pan. In same pan, sauté any vegetables until tender-crisp.
- 4. Final Assembly:
- Return protein to pan, add sauce and noodles. Toss until well coated and heated through, about 2 minutes. Add reserved cooking water tablespoon at a time if needed for desired consistency.
- 5. Garnishing:
- Top with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and additional red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately while hot and saucy.
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Serving and Storage Solutions
Serve noodles immediately while hot and saucy. For leftovers, store sauce and noodles separately in airtight containers up to 3 days. Reheat noodles in skillet with splash of water to restore texture.
Perfect Pairings
- Steamed edamame
- Miso soup
- Cucumber salad
- Gyoza dumplings
- Roasted broccoli
- Soft-boiled egg
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Protein Variations
- Pan-seared tofu cubes
- Grilled chicken strips
- Sautéed shrimp
- Sliced beef
- Mushroom medley
- Crispy tempeh
These upgraded ramen noodles prove that simple ingredients can create extraordinary results. Whether making a quick weeknight dinner or satisfying a noodle craving, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.
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Final Notes
Remember that the key to perfect ramen lies in balance - chewy noodles, flavorful sauce, and fresh toppings working together to create a satisfying bowl. Each batch is an opportunity to perfect your technique and create your signature version.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why cook noodles less than package time?
- This prevents them from getting mushy when finishing in the sauce.
- → Can I use different noodles?
- Yes, any Asian-style noodles work well, adjust cooking time accordingly.
- → How do I make the sauce thicker?
- Add more cornstarch, one teaspoon at a time, until desired thickness.
- → What vegetables work best?
- Any quick-cooking vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas work great.
- → Can I make this spicier?
- Add more chili garlic sauce or your favorite hot sauce to taste.