# Let's talk about Ramen noodles--the kind you make at home from a packet **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [February 26, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981 "2026-02-26T00:55:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/41 "2026-02-27T02:06:53Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > [@SuntanLotion](#): > > > > My husband used to add butter. I don’t and don’t add the entire flavor packet either. > > Then I cut it with a knife so its easier to eat. > > You can also use scissors to cut up the ramen noodles. Or just bend and crack them a few times while still dry in the packet, either before or after you remove the little seasoning package(s). [ETA: Hey @Cwturner, jinx!! 🤣] I don’t really care what kind of dried ramen noodle packets I get (I think the ones at my local market are Top Ramen), though I’m open to trying the apparently distinctly superior kinds mentioned in this thread. Yes, it’s much more about the added greens and veggies than about the noodles themselves. I don’t mind ending up with about a 1:1 or even 2:1 veggie/noodle ratio by volume. Let’s see, what else? Mince half an onion and throw it in the water when you first put it on the stove, along with any dried mushroom pieces you’re adding, to increase the broth flavorfulness. Break a raw egg into your soup bowl while you’re waiting for the noodles/veggies to cook, and whisk it up with the chopsticks. Then just pour the boiling mixture into the bowl while stirring, for an egg-drop-soup effect (except the beaten egg is dropped **on** by the boiling liquid rather than being dropped **into** it). Chopped scallions and delicate greens like pea shoots are best added to the bowl with the egg to be minimally wilted in that final pour of the boiling noodles, rather than being more aggressively boiled in the noodle pot with the rest of the veggies. ---
**Author:** ![Cwturner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Cwturner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cwturner)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/42 "2026-02-27T02:08:50Z")
“Then I cut it with a knife so its easier to eat.” Those plastic bags are surprisingly tough. You can bang them with the side of your hand before opening, then no chopping is needed CW ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/43 "2026-02-27T02:57:19Z")
I was gifted the full selection package from the website. (Delivered to my house as a surprise!) It’s several packs of all their flavours of noodles plus the chili crunch and their own soya sauce. I can tell you ALL the flavours are very yummy. Tingly Chili was my favourite! ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/44 "2026-02-27T02:58:36Z")
All-right-y then! I’ll report tomorrow. 🍜 ---
**Author:** ![Cheetahkins](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheetahkins/32/20603_2.png) [@Cheetahkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheetahkins)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/45 "2026-02-27T03:15:47Z")
I make it for my wife and I fairly often, following the basic directions hen making it. After it’s done though I pour out whatever extra ‘soup’ is still there. So we’re just eating the noodles themselves. I think doing this greatly cuts back on the salt, though I still wouldn’t call it health food, lol. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/46 "2026-02-27T03:32:41Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > [@SuntanLotion](#): > > > > My husband used to add butter. I don’t and don’t add the entire flavor packet either. > > Then I cut it with a knife so its easier to eat. > > You can also use scissors to cut up the ramen noodles. Heresy!!! Like spaghetti, the length of the noodles is a huge part of the appeal and texture! When I buy ramen, I take special care to make sure that the packages are firmly intact and not partly broken inside. That’s why I prefer the 5-packs rather than the individual ones – they tend to be more reliably less abused by handling. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/47 "2026-02-27T04:56:08Z")
Oh, FTR, I have to go get them in the actual “Asian” sub-isle, not with the rest of the dried soups. That may well make a difference in where you find them. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/48 "2026-02-27T06:44:56Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > I can tell you ALL the flavours are very yummy. > Tingly Chili was my favourite! Good to know! They were on sale at Whole Foods last week for around $8 for a four-pack. Picked up a few different flavors. Sure it’s more pricey than Top Ramen but didn’t seem _that_ expensive really. $2 per meal is a good deal. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/49 "2026-02-27T07:58:43Z")
I’m fond of Nissin Fire Wok pork ramen. It comes in a microwaveable bowl with a spice packet, a dried vegetable packet, and a packet of chili oil to stir in after heating it up. It’s not overwhelmingly spicy, but it’s got a solid kick to it. Once in awhile when I make it up to Seattle, I like to go to Uwajimaya and see what they’ve got in their ramen aisle (yes, they have an entire aisle for ramen), and I’ve found some very interesting imports in there. Japanese Cup Noodles is SO superior to the version we get in America. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/50 "2026-02-27T14:46:40Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Once in awhile when I make it up to Seattle, I like to go to Uwajimaya We drive through Seattle on our way to Bellingham a few times each year. We love Uwajimaya and make sure to leave time to stop when we can. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/51 "2026-02-27T22:45:02Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I don’t care what anybody says, I love my Sapporo Ichiban > [@elbows](#): > > You should only buy Indo Mie ramen noodles, they’re the BEST! * * * * * * HEB did not disappoint! This was in the Asian foods aisle, not the soup aisle. Shin Ramyun is in the soup aisle. [![](https://i.imgur.com/C16ZXro.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/C16ZXro.jpeg) Taking advice from both of you, this is what I brought home: [![](https://i.imgur.com/P6aRfha.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/P6aRfha.jpeg) Gonna be eating lots of Ramen in the near future… 🍜 🍜🍜🍜🍜 🍜 🍜🍜🍜🍜 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/52 "2026-02-27T23:20:34Z")
Y’all di realize they’re all made in the same factory, right? 😀 It’s in Rancho Cucamonga ETA..Oh, yeah the dollar stores have vast arrays. Whole freakin’ aisles. How much of this stuff are we eating? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/53 "2026-02-27T23:39:15Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > HEB did not disappoint! This was in the Asian foods aisle, not the soup aisle. They seem to have a fine selection. But I must point out that your first picture shows exactly what I was talking about – it’s the Sapporo Ichiban “Original” in the top left – and yet, you silly girl, you bought something different – miso ramen. It’s probably very good and I hope you enjoy it, but it’s the pack on the top left that I was talking about. My understanding is that the miso has a thicker broth and may use thicker noodles, too. I’ll be pissed off if you proclaim it very good as I don’t think it’s even available here! In any case, give the other stuff a try sometime – the “Original” in the red and white package. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/54 "2026-02-28T00:07:14Z")
FYI, here’s a [link to a YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpj3RWt0y0Q) of Jacques Pépin preparing ramen soup. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/55 "2026-02-28T00:20:48Z")
Now I really want some ramen and I could kick myself for forgetting to buy pork chops or chicken breast. I suppose I could just have some with mushrooms and a hard boiled egg, but that doesn’t seem very satisfying. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/56 "2026-02-28T00:22:18Z")
Bacon? Ham? Shrimps? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/57 "2026-02-28T00:25:57Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Bacon? Something else I forgot to buy. Don’t think that would work well in ramen, though. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Ham? Don’t gots none. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Shrimps? Have 'em, but I don’t associate ramen with seafood. Needs seasoned pork, dammit! ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/58 "2026-02-28T00:30:41Z")
Pork belly works extremely well in ramen. Might not want the smokey packaged bacon though. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/59 "2026-02-28T00:32:25Z")
Bacon works. But you don’t got it. Dang dude. Seafood works great in ramen. I kinda believe that may have been the first protein added to these kinds of noodles. (I may go look at the history ramen and find out). But yeah, if your heart needs pork it just needs pork. (Oh yes, pork belly. I’m down with that!!) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981/60 "2026-02-28T00:37:30Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Seafood works great in ramen. I kinda believe that may have been the first protein added to these kinds of noodles. Considering that them’s that invented ramen also invented sushi and sashimi, I don’t doubt it. But not for me. I love ramen and I love shrimp but not the two together. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-ramen-noodles-the-kind-you-make-at-home-from-a-packet/1027981.md?page=4)