Ultimate Spicy Delight: Japanese Ramen-Inspired ‘Life-Changer’ Noodles
Beyond Ordinary: A Unique Spicy Ramen Recipe Infused with the Richness of Japanese Ramen
Craving a simple yet deliciously spicy ramen today, but finding the standard broth a bit uninspiring? This recipe is your answer! Created on the fly with what was available, it perfectly balances a satisfying broth with a kick, without relying on the usual ramen soup base. It evokes the satisfying richness and subtle oily sheen reminiscent of authentic Japanese ramen, making it an absolute winner for a late-night snack or any time you need a comforting, elevated meal.
Main Ingredients
- 1 packet of Pu Ramen (or any spicy ramen)
- About half a thumb-sized piece of green onion, finely sliced
- Approximately 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Seasoning
- 1.5 servings of ramen soup base (slightly more than half a packet)
- 1 tablespoon of gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
- 1.5 servings of ramen soup base (slightly more than half a packet)
- 1 tablespoon of gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, in a pot, add the ramen noodles and water, excluding the soup base. Boil for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. (This is about 1 minute less than you’d normally boil ramen). While the noodles are boiling, finely slice the green onion. In a separate pan, heat the olive oil over low heat and sauté the sliced green onions until fragrant, creating a flavorful scallion oil.
Step 2
Before draining the noodles, reserve about 2 tablespoons of the ramen cooking water. This reserved water will be used to create the luscious broth later.
Step 3
Drain the noodles after boiling and add them to the pan with the prepared scallion oil. Pour in the reserved 2 tablespoons of ramen cooking water.
Step 4
Now, add the 1.5 servings of ramen soup base and 1 tablespoon of gochugaru to the pan. Turn the heat to medium and quickly stir-fry everything together. It’s crucial to stir-fry for about a minute, ensuring the noodles, broth, and seasonings are thoroughly combined with the scallion oil.
Step 5
Once the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce and appear glossy, as shown in the photo, turn off the heat. Be careful not to overcook, as the noodles can become mushy or dry.
Step 6
Transfer the stir-fried noodles to a serving bowl. Gently ladle about 2 tablespoons of the reserved ramen cooking water around the edges of the bowl to create a light, flavorful broth. Adding too much broth can diminish the essence of a stir-fried noodle dish.
Step 7
Voila! You’ve created a unique ramen dish that perfectly balances the texture of stir-fried noodles with the depth of a well-seasoned broth. This might just become your new favorite ‘life-changer’ ramen. Enjoy!
