Time and time again, people have been forced to eat ramen and other struggle foods right before payday, because people are grown children and we tend to follow the same pattern. So, if you’re first-world poor like me – you know what I mean – here’s a list featuring a few of my favourite inexpensive ramen additives that take it from “dollar menu” to “new meal who dis?”
- Add an egg: Whether you choose to go poached, soft or hardboiled, adding an egg to ramen is an inexpensive way to increase your protein and flavour factors, it also makes your bowl a little prettier for pictures.
- Add meat and veggies: Why stop at eggs? Why not add some fresh veggies, tofu or your choice of meats. Can you say bacon? The flavours blend to create a whole new level of ramen enjoyment.
- Peanut butter: It sounds weird, but adding some smooth peanut butter to the meal creates a Thai element.
- Creamy works too: Adding coconut milk or even better, coconut milk powder, turns the broth into a thick, hearty dish that warms the heart.
- Go spicy: Spice doesn’t have to mean hot sauce. There are various spice profiles you can use to elevate the taste.
- Make your own broth: When you think Ramen, you think unhealthy amounts of sodium. So tone it down a bit by creating your own broth with your favourite flavours, or whatever you have available at the moment.
- Say cheese: Cheese makes everything better. Maybe try a play on French onion soup by throwing some sautéed onions and topping it with melty cheesy goodness.
- Play with textures: It may sound unimaginable, but you can change the texture of your ramen to eat it crispy (NOT RAW). Google a few ways to recreate crunchy ramen.
- Go broth-less: Make the noodles into a quick, tasty stir-fry. Plain is fine, but don’t go stingy on the veggies!
- Waffle: Time to get weird! Boil the ramen until partially cooked, pat dry and throw (please don’t actually throw it) on a waffle iron; press down and watch the magic happen!
