# Let's do Ramen! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 11, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647 "2012-11-11T02:35:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/1 "2012-11-11T02:35:47Z")
Everybody’s gone out so it’s only me. Not cooking for the family? I know-- ramen noodles! Western Beef had a sale-- 2 12 packs for $4. That’s, like 15 cents a package. Soooo. . … I boiled a cup of water and put one flavor packet in the water and two drops of sesame oil. When the water was boiling I dropped an egg in and stirred with a fork. Took the saucepan off the heat and added two packets worth of noodles. Eat when noodles are as soft as you like. Everybody’s got ramen recipes, no? Tell me your favorites. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/2 "2012-11-11T02:43:31Z")
Two things. Ramen noodles are pretty nice when cooked just right. The problem is the broth is so weak its like they maybe waved a chicken over it to give it a trace of flavor. On the other hand, Campbells chicken noodle soup (or even more upscale stuff) has plenty of flavor but canned noodles are mushy as all get out. Combine the two and you have the best of both worlds. Then there are those small bluish cans of “oriental vegetables” you find in the ethnic section or a dedicated asian store. They typically have stuff like baby corn, mushrooms, fungusy stuff, tofu and some other things. The stuff is rather oily and strong. Combine that with a batch of Ramen and its also pretty darn good IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/3 "2012-11-11T03:35:07Z")
My ramen recipe: 1 spoon of dry chicken boulion. Dash of soy sauce. Handful of vegetables (usually onions/garlic and greens of some sort) Just enough water to cover the ingredients. Cook to a roiling boil. Allow to cool five minutes and let noodles absorb liquid. Eat. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/4 "2012-11-11T03:40:32Z")
I eat ramen/mee all the time, but I add meat and vegetables to make it a full meal – typically prawns/shrimp, broccoli, cabbage, and a bit of chili bamboo shoots. If I have a bit left over from a Chinese or southeast Asian take-out meal, I’ll often add some of that. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/5 "2012-11-11T03:44:58Z")
cook the noodles, drain, add 1/2 the seasoning packet, some butter, stir and enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/6 "2012-11-11T04:04:04Z")
A bit of curry powder makes chicken ramen much better, and I’m with **Giles** , adding some meat and veg makes it a real meal. Same as above, if you have beef flavored ramen a bit of sliced roast beef from the deli and a nice clump of chopped kimchi take it from good to great. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/7 "2012-11-11T04:29:35Z")
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=521642&highlight=Ramen](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=521642&highlight=Ramen) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=460808&highlight=Ramen](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=460808&highlight=Ramen) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=329971&highlight=Ramen](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=329971&highlight=Ramen) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=308365&highlight=Ramen](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=308365&highlight=Ramen) There’s actually another even older, but I can’t find it. I used to have it bookmarked, but a lot of them I lost when I changed computers. (Don’t ask) ---
**Author:** ![Oly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oly/32/8255_2.png) [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/8 "2012-11-11T04:43:05Z")
Smash dry noodles in closed bag. Open bag and sprinkle in 1/2 flavor packet. Enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/9 "2012-11-12T21:20:04Z")
I have put any or all of the following in my ramen: thai chili sauce fish sauce ponzu sauce soy sauce scallions shrimp frozen veggies (carrots, corn, etc.) Tried an egg once, failed miserably. ---
**Author:** ![Haunted\_Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/94ad74/32.png) [@Haunted\_Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haunted_Pasta)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/10 "2012-11-12T21:29:49Z")
At work, my lunch is often a tuna-ramen-dressing mix, with Italian dressing replacing the ramen flavor packet. One ramen packet + one 6.5-ounce tuna packet + about 1/4-cup of dressing = greatness. ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/11 "2012-11-12T21:40:57Z")
I only use half the seasoning packet, but add a little hoisin and lime. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/12 "2012-11-12T22:37:10Z")
PBS just started a new series, “The Mind of a Chef”. Starring David Chang, narrated by Anthony Bourdain, the first episode is on noodles, and ramen is a lead player. You can [Watch full episodes](http://www.pbs.org/food/features/the-mind-of-a-chef-episode-descriptions/) and maybe get a few ramen ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/13 "2012-11-12T22:43:31Z")
-Mix 1-1/2 cups of water with one ounce of lychee syrup and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil. -Add sliced, peeled plums and cook for 5 minutes. -Remove pan from heat, add noodles. -Top with sliced banana and/or maraschino cherries to taste. Garnish with two pirouline cookies. …why are you all looking at me like that? ---
**Author:** ![GovernmentMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@GovernmentMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GovernmentMan)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/14 "2012-11-12T22:59:28Z")
Try making real ramen, instead of prettying up instant cup noodles. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/15 "2012-11-12T23:13:04Z")
> [@Oly](#): > > Smash dry noodles in closed bag. Open bag and sprinkle in 1/2 flavor packet. Enjoy. I once knew a guy who didn’t even bother to smash the noodles, he would just sprinkle the flavor packet on the brick of ramen, and munch it dry. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/16 "2012-11-12T23:17:46Z")
I like mine with diced spam and kimchi. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/17 "2012-11-13T00:13:14Z")
I cook the noodles plain, with the seasoning packet dumped into the bowl I’m going to eat from. When I drain the noodles, I use enough of the cooking water to dissolve the seasoning and get it mixable. Then I mix that solution with the drained noodles and enjoy. 🙂 (Yes, I like stronger flavor.) I’m currently trying to remember how to achieve a creamy-sauce effect with the seasoning (I’m pretty sure the version I used to know how to do involved butter and milk). ---
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/18 "2012-11-13T00:14:40Z")
Fried, cubed tofu Thinly sliced ginger Braggs liquid Aminos A little cilantro Coursely chopped peanuts The blue pack veggie ramen noodles ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/19 "2012-11-13T00:27:50Z")
For chicken ramen I add lemon juice and an egg to the regular recipe on the package. For beef ramen, I add worchestershire sauce, nuoc mam sauce, and tabasco. ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647/20 "2012-11-13T00:37:33Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Everybody’s gone out so it’s only me. Not cooking for the family? I know-- ramen noodles! Western Beef had a sale-- 2 12 packs for $4. That’s, like 15 cents a package. > > Soooo. . .. I boiled a cup of water and put one flavor packet in the water and two drops of sesame oil. When the water was boiling I dropped an egg in and stirred with a fork. Took the saucepan off the heat and added two packets worth of noodles. Eat when noodles are as soft as you like. > > Everybody’s got ramen recipes, no? Tell me your favorites. Keep forgetting to try egg drop with ramen, w/green onions, arrowroot, Sesame Oil and 5 spice…instead of chicken bullion. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-do-ramen/640647.md?page=2)