# Ramen Preparation Method **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 30, 2000, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188 "2000-04-30T20:37:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Steve-o](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@Steve-o](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve-o)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/1 "2000-04-30T20:37:37Z")
When you cook ramen, do you follow the instructions exactly, or do you deviate at all? Actually, what I’m looking for is if you crush the noodles before cooking. I hate how the long, unbroken noodles make the liquid run off your spoon, and splash all over the place when you are trying to eat. ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/2 "2000-04-30T20:41:22Z")
I usually break the block of noodles in half before cooking. I also pour off most of the liquid, so I have flavored noodles rather than soup. ---
**Author:** ![Breckinshire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@Breckinshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Breckinshire)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/3 "2000-04-30T20:41:56Z")
I crush the noodles, and then don’t even cook it. I just throw it all in a bowl and mix in the powder. Eat with a spoon. It’s great. Recommend having a lot of water nearby to prevent dehydration. ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/4 "2000-04-30T20:43:56Z")
You PREPARE that stuff??? My kids open the flavoring, dump it into the bag, shake and then separate the noodles into layers, to eat like crackers. EEEWWWWW!!! ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/5 "2000-04-30T20:49:33Z")
The long noodles are _supposed_ to signify long life, you guys. So much for tradition. Don’t blame Top Ramen if you start feeling week at about age 30. Peace, mangeorge (Slurps 'em long) ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/6 "2000-04-30T20:57:28Z")
I still can’t believe people eat the stuff. I don’t care how broke I am, I will not Ramen! ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/7 "2000-04-30T21:14:54Z")
Mangeorge, the point of Ramen is that it’s only about 15 cents per pack, not tradition. Personally, I often break the noodles up. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/8 "2000-04-30T21:19:47Z")
Weak. Feeling weak. Not week. Dang. **waterj2** Hey, man. It’s your life. What’s left of it anyway. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Satan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satan)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/9 "2000-04-30T21:52:25Z")
I prepare it as it says on the package, except I use about 1/2 as much water. This way, I get noodles, not soup. I even use the flavor packages with it too! Faves are Shrimp and the new Hot Chili one which I mixed with some habanero sause I have for a spicy treat! * * * Yer pal, Satan [http://homepages.go.com/~cmcinternationalrecords/devil.gif](http://homepages.go.com/~cmcinternationalrecords/devil.gif) _TIME ELAPSED SINCE I QUIT SMOKING: Three weeks, 19 hours, 50 minutes and 57 seconds. 873 cigarettes not smoked, saving $109.13. Life saved: 3 days, 45 minutes._ ---
**Author:** ![guitarmax\_99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f19dbf/32.png) [@guitarmax\_99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guitarmax_99)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/10 "2000-04-30T23:29:26Z")
I like to break the noodles up while they’re still in the unopened package. It avoids a lot of mess. I also use less water than recommended (like Geobabe, I like noodles and not soup). Also, I never use the entire flavor pack. Its way to salty to be eaten all at once. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/11 "2000-04-30T23:35:22Z")
I also break up the noodles before cooking. I occasionally eat the dry noodles without the flavoring. I think the directions on the package say add the noodles to the water, then add the flavoring. I almost always add the flavoring to the water first. This way the noodles take up much more flavor. ---
**Author:** ![Sentinel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sentinel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sentinel)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/12 "2000-04-30T23:54:52Z")
**How to prepare Ramen Noodles.** Step one: Place bag on floor. Step two: Beat the crap out of bag with hammer. Step three: Collect bag and all of the scattered contents. Step four: Cook until it is done to its normal, bland, slimy consistency. ---
**Author:** ![WallyM7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5e925/32.png) [@WallyM7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WallyM7)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2000, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/13 "2000-04-30T23:58:02Z")
Negative. Replace step 4 with: Throw contents in the garbage. ---
**Author:** ![Baglady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Baglady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baglady)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2000, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/14 "2000-05-01T00:26:11Z")
I break up the block into fourths, but I don’t crush it. If you’re having trouble with soup drippage, try using a Chinese soup spoon. They are made for this kind of noodle dish, so you can pile the noodles on the spoon, and even manage a bit of soup for flavor and not get the stuff dribbling over your chin. As for fixing up an entertaining bowl of ramen, try putting in an egg, bean sprouts, onion slivers, left-over meat, etc. to liven it up. With all the extras, you’ll barely notice the MSG… (!) – Baglady Lani (making her first post here after reading over Obfusciatrist’s shoulder all this time). ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2000, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/15 "2000-05-01T00:37:27Z")
a semi-hijack… I don’t eat Ramen (I do have a couple packs in the cupboard in case of emergency) but I noticed I’d been making Rice-a-Roni for years before reading the directions. Apparently you’re suppposed to pre-fry the rice or something. Why? I just boil water and dump rice and flavoring in and cook 'til it’s done. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2000, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/16 "2000-05-01T01:20:48Z")
I confess. I’m a noodle breaker. But then I cut my spaghetti, too, so… But as Cristi recommended, I’m practicing my sexy slurping skills. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![timmar68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@timmar68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timmar68)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2000, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/17 "2000-05-01T01:56:14Z")
You want spicy noodles? [http://www.ramencity.com](http://www.ramencity.com) I’ve ordered from them before. I get the samples for variety and my mouth did indeed spew flames when i ate the ones that were hot and spicy. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2000, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/18 "2000-05-01T02:40:59Z")
1. Karate chop the wrapped noodles in half. 2.Then I smash them into tiny parts. 3.Add hot water, nuke for five minutes. 4.Wandering around aimlessless in house until BEEP BEEP BEEP 5.Eat them. This is a recipe I can pass along to my children. I am so proud. ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2000, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/19 "2000-05-01T02:56:41Z")
> [@](#): > > But as Cristi recommended, I’m practicing my sexy slurping skills Good! Something to do when you quit smoking! 😃 I didn’t start eating Ramen until just a few weeks ago. My husband and I avoided it like the plague for the longest time, because every time we opened a package, we’d find **bugs** in it. Bleah! Bleah bleah! My husband’s son has a real affinity for Ramen, though. So do the boy’s two older sisters. So, when we take these kids for visits, we usually stock up, because a) they like it, 4)it’s cheap, and gamma) these kids eat like pirhanas on crack. So I finally decided to make some for myself. I smooshed the whole package (there ya go, Steve-o!), inspected it carefully for insects living and dead, and found none (none visible, anyway. Maybe I just smooshed them up real good). You know what? The stuff was really good. Now I’m hungry. I think we’ve got a few packages left. See you guys later! ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2000, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188/20 "2000-05-01T03:13:59Z")
My technique: 1. Boil some water (probably more than they say on the package) 2. Add the noodle-brick, unbroken. Let it boil for three minutes; break it up at about the 1:30 mark, when it’s soft enough. 3. Pour off most of the water; leave just enough for a touch of broth. 4. Add the seasonin’. 5. Pour into a bowl, eat noodles with a fork, drink the broth if so inclined. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-preparation-method/18188.md?page=2)