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We have all been in situations when we are freakin’ hungry but there’s nothing to eat in the refrigerator and no access to a stove too! When you want to eat in a budget then make the most of what you can afford – a packet of ramen cooked in a microwave can serve as a tasty and filling meal.
Can you make ramen in the microwave? Yes, you can cook this meal in a myriad of ways and one of them is in a microwave. For this, you just need a microwavable bowl, a packet of instant ramen noodles, and water to have a quick fix snack ready in a snap.
You can prepare classic instant ramen noodles with just the seasonings to enhance the flavor or make a more filling meal with frozen green vegetables, soy sauce, scallions, and hard-boiled eggs. So, when you are really hungry, waste no time and rustle up a tasty ramen meal in your dorm microwave.
If you are making traditional Japanese ramen from scratch, it would be tough to get the same results in a microwave because you need really hot boiling water to make fresh noodles. In this appliance, the heat waves come from all directions and not just the bottom, making it difficult to get boiling hot water.
As a result, it works to prepare instant ramen noodles in the microwave but making traditional Japanese ramen may not be a good option. Read on to find the steps to make quick and easy instant ramen using the microwave and some useful tips too.
Contents
Steps on How To Make Ramen In The Microwave
Step 1
Start by removing the instant noodles from the package. There are two ways of doing this. You may break the noodles while the packet is still sealed to get smaller size noodles that are easier to eat with a spoon.
Alternatively, you can break the cake into half or leave it as it is to have long noodles that can be slurped in the traditional style. However, please remember that you will need a pair of chopsticks or fork to be able to lift the long noodles from the broth. It all depends on how you want to eat them.
Step 2
In the second step, put the noodles in a microwavable bowl or Pyrex cup filled with 1 or 2 cups of water. You may adjust the water level depending upon how much broth you want in the dish. Just make sure all the dried instant noodles submerge in water.
It’s a good idea to cover the bowl with a lid or a paper towel to prevent water from splattering around. If you see the noodles floating the bowl or cup, don’t worry because they will cook up just fine. Please bear in mind that it might take a few minutes for the noodles to boil so use a microwave-friendly plastic container.
Step 3
Put the bowl or cup inside the microwave set the timer for 3-5 minutes and start cooking. The exact time for cooking may vary slightly because different microwaves have different capacities. So, we suggest that you keep checking after every minute and stir with a fork to make sure they are not over-cooked.
If you want the noodles to retain the block or brick shape, don’t break it, just flip over to cook the other side evenly. When the noodles is well cooked, allow it to sit inside the microwave for another 3 minutes to save your fingers and tongue from getting burned. If you must take it out then use oven mittens or some heat protection.
Step 4
In the next step cut open the flavorings or seasoning mix and add it to the steaming hot bowl of instant ramen. Another way to do it is to take a fresh bowl, add the seasoning mix to it, now pour the hot water in which you cooked the ramen, stir to make a homogenous mixture and then add the ramen.
There are some people who prefer adding the flavorings to the bowl along with dried noodles before putting it inside the microwave. This allows the ramen to cook in a seasoned broth and the boiled noodles come out more flavourful.
Pro Tip: When you take the ramen out of the microwave, always remember to do the fork test to ensure that it is properly cooked. Use a fork to poke the noodle stands and if they appear too stiff and lack the springiness, microwave for another 30 seconds.
Variations You Can Enjoy With Ramen Cooked In Microwave
If you would like a more filling dish, we recommend adding a hardboiled egg to the soup. To boil an egg in the microwave, take a bowl of water, place an egg into it, cover with a plate and microwave at 50% for 4 minutes.
If you would like a runny egg yolk, take it out and peel the egg. However, if you prefer the egg to have a more cooked and hardened yolk, let it sit in the hot water for extra 2 minutes before peeling the outer skin.
Adding some vegetables to the soup may also enhance the taste and add more health benefits to your meal. As we are strictly eliminating the use of stove in this article, we would suggest that you microwave the frozen vegetables on high heat for 4-5 minutes to make them soft and then add to the broth.
And, why just frozen vegetables? You may also use some fresh vegetables even if you only have the microwave to cook. You can quickly steam spinach leaves and it takes just one minute in a microwave. To enhance the flavor, add a little oil, soy sauce, and garlic to the spinach and then steam.
Some people don’t like the noodles to float in soup, so if that sounds like you, drain the excess water and then add the seasoning mix to the still-warm noodles. Let it sit for 2 minutes for the flavor to infuse into the noodles and then enjoy your meal.
You may garnish the dish with finely cut scallions and sesame seeds. If you would like to enhance the seasoning, you may add soy sauce, fish sauce, and other ingredients of your choice. There’s nothing to worry about because the soup is very forgiving.
If you would like to make a traditional Japanese ramen like they serve in the restaurants, consider roasting chicken in the microwave oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and season the chicken with salt, pepper, and some olive oil.
Roast the chicken inside the oven for 20 minutes, flipping once after 10 minutes to ensure both sides are properly cooked. Remove from oven and let it cool. Now, take a sharp knife and cut the roasted chicken into slices and add to your ramen broth.
11 Tips To Make Your Bowl Of Ramen More Delicious
When you are still in college and broke, ramen is one of the cheapest and easiest to cook food to satisfy your hunger pangs. However, that doesn’t mean you have to always stick to the old-school style of preparing ramen. When your tastebuds crave for something more and you can’t afford to eat at a fancy restaurant, here are some tips to enhance the flavor.
#1. Add a dollop of miso paste to your broth
If you prefer a thick broth full of umami flavor, a quick way of achieving that effect is by adding a dollop of miso paste to your broth. To do this, take a spoonful of miso paste and mix it with some water. Now, add this water to the ramen noodles to make the dish healthier and tastier.
#2. Add an egg to it
We have already discussed the possibility of adding a hard-boiled or partially boiled egg to your ramen noodles dish. Another way of adding some gooey egg goodness is to crack a raw egg into the bowl and let it cook along with the noodles inside the microwave. This will not only thicken the soup but also make the dish more filling and tasty.
#3. Jazz up your ramen with soy sauce
If you feel the classic ramen is too bland and you like things to be on the salty side then improve the taste by adding some soy sauce to the bowl of ramen. Just a teaspoon is enough to uplift the taste and umami flavor. One bottle of soy sauce will also last several days.
#4. Increase the protein quotient of the dish
When you live in a dorm and wish to keep your options cheaper but healthier, adding a few tofu pieces can enhance the flavor of the soup. This can be a good alternative to chicken and still add a good amount of protein to your diet.
#5. Spice things up with Sriracha sauce
If you wish to increase the heat and spice things up, what can be better than adding some Sriracha sauce (see Amazon). This tiny bottle of hot chili sauce has become a much-loved item throughout the world and you can find them in any grocery store. Keep them handy for days when your taste buds crave a hot and spicy kick.
#6. Thicken it with Peanut butter
If you wish to make your ramen noodles more slurpable, consider adding a spoonful of peanut butter to thicken the gravy. You may further season it with oregano and onion powder for a hint of Thai curry with ramen noodles. Does that make your mouth water already?
#7. Make it more creamy
If you are a cheese fan, then you may add a couple of cheese slices or shred them into the bowl to enhance the flavor. To make it creamier, add a spoonful of tandoori mayo sauce or garlic mayo. Garnish this with finely sliced green onions for a perfectly cheesy dish but let me warn that it comes with some guilt!
#8. Sprinkle some lemony flavor on noodles
If you are all game for spicing up your dish with lemony flavor, we suggest sprinkling two spoonfuls of lemon juice over the noodles. You may use a bit of tabasco sauce instead. This will add a tangy flavor to the otherwise ordinary dish. This is a poor man’s recipe for sure, but something that will not disappoint you.
#9. Mix it up with coconut milk
If you are a fan of Thai cuisine, you will love this twist in your ramen noodles. To enjoy a more authentic taste, we suggest that you add some coconut milk, along with sugar, fish sauce, and a bit of Thai curry paste. This will enhance the taste by manifolds but also make your ramen thicker and tastier.
#10. Mix it up with some pesto sauce
If herbs are your thing, here’s a good way to increase the taste factor of your ramen noodles. We would suggest that you drain out water and mix a generous amount of pesto sauce with boiled noodles to increase the flavor. You may also add some finely chopped garlic and basil leaves on the top for a simple yet delicious dish.
#11. Jazz it up with pepper and butter
We have always been in situations when we end up with disastrous overcooked ramen. If the ramen is too mushy, don’t lose hope as there’s still a way to do damage control. Sprinkle some pepper on the noodles and add a dollop of butter to enjoy a creamy delight!
Related Questions
What’s the best way to enjoy a bowl of ramen?
There aren’t too many rules for eating ramen. However, we would suggest that you enjoy the waft of air filled with rich aroma before eating. Hold it close to your nose and take in the heavenly smell before you put it into your mouth.
Is it okay to microwave cup noodles for a quick lunch?
The cups are typically made of Styrofoam, which a type of plastic that may leech chemicals to the food if heated. As a result, we suggest that you heat water in a separate container and then add it to the Styrofoam cup.
Are the instant ramen noodles made of plastic?
This is a misconception that ramen noodles are made of plastic or have any plastic coatings to preserve them for longer. These noodles are typically made from flour, water, and seasonings like salt and soy sauce.
Can ramen be eaten dry?
Yes, many people around the world prefer their ramen noodles dry instead of having them floating in a soup or broth. The soup may either be concentrated or evaporated to retain the flavor without any watery texture or the water may be drained out before adding seasoning mix to the boiled noodles.
Can you eat ramen raw?
Ramen is an iconic dish that can be made in various ways and eating it raw is a common and safe practice. Now, that you know the answer to ‘can you make ramen in the microwave’, we are sure this will enable you to enjoy the dish without access to a stove. When you’re too pressed for time or simply wish to recall your childhood memories, you may also enjoy crushed raw ramen sprinkled with seasonings as a quick and tasty snack.
See more: Can You Eat Ramen Raw?
How long should I microwave ramen?
To make it easier to cook, we suggest breaking the ramen into half before putting it in a bowl filled with water. Heat the ramen for 3-5 minutes based on the package instructions and let it sit inside for another 3 minutes before taking them out of the microwave.