Ramen Noodles; easy to love, easier to make!
This too-good-to-be-true mealtime favorite has become even more popular in recent months, and it’s not hard to see why. At Mike’s Mighty Good, we (obviously) love All Things Ramen- so we’re diving into the wonderful world of toppings below.
A typical bowl of ramen consists of 4 components: broth, seasoning, noodles, and toppings- but we all know that it’s the toppings that really give ramen noodles their special zing.
Toppings are to ramen noodles what paint is to a canvas. The noodles are ahhhhh-mazing on their own, but if you want to customize your bowl to match your mood, the weather, or the time of day (hello eggs and bacon ramen?) you’ve come to the right place.
There’s really no “right” or “wrong” when it comes to what you put in your ramen noodles. It’s hard to get sick of ramen- it’s so delicious and customizable. You can make two bowls of ramen on the same day, and with variations in the toppings you end up with two different meals.
Without further ado, here is our list of classic ramen toppings:
Bok Choy
First up, Bok choy. This green veg softens perfectly when it’s dropped into hot ramen broth, and makes a nice contrast to the spices and proteins you might be including into your bowl.
Chashu
Chashu is a braised (or simmered) pork; an ultra popular addition to many ramen noodle bowls.
Dried Seaweed
Dried seaweed can be cut or crumbled and sprinkled on top, adding a satisfying crunch to any kind of noodle dish.
Mushrooms
Look at any “perfect” ramen bowl on Instagram and you’ll see a common thread: mushrooms. This earthy addition rounds out all the flavors of your masterpiece. You can add shiitake, wood ear, oyster or crimini mushrooms- you’ll be happy with any kind of ‘shroom addition.
Corn
Frozen, fresh, or canned corn will do!
Butter
A thick square of golden goodness adds the perfect amount of creaminess.
Of course with any great ramen topping, you need a great base. Try any of our craft ramen noodles made with ridiculously rich broth, less salt, and steamed organic noodles. Not sure where to start? Try our sampler packs.
Peanuts
For a bit of a Thai flair, toss in some whole or chopped peanuts to your ramen bowl- bonus points if you add a dash of lime juice as well.
Pickled ginger
Raw ginger is a bit too harsh for ramen noodles, but when it’s pickled it offers a wonderful contrast to the spice of your ramen flavoring.
Scallions
A universally beloved garnish, scallions add the perfect amount of crunch and flavor. Try not to go overboard, though- you don’t want a mouthful of scallions in every bite.
Tofu
An often overlooked ramen topping, tofu deserves a gold star next to it’s name on our list. There are an endless amount oftofu recipesfor you to get creative with.
Narutomaki
Have you ever wondered what that cute pink and white spiral thing is that you see in some ramen noodle bowls? That would be Narutomaki. This traditional ramen topping is made by rolling red and white fish paste into a log, cooking it with steam, and cutting it into thin slices.
Ramen Egg
There’s a strong case for adding a perfectly-boiled ramen egg to every bowl of ramen that you make 1) because they’re SO EASY and 2) they’re SO DELICIOUS. Top your colorful noodle bowl with asoft-boiled ramen egg(watch out Instagram!) or add a poached egg that can be broken over the noodles and broth for expert creaminess.
American Cheese
You read that right- just plain old, sliced American cheese. It melts into the broth superbly, and provides that cheesiness you didn’t know you were looking for. You can even add a ramen egg and some bacon and *viola* you’ve made yourself a breakfast ramen bowl. You can thank us later.
Spinach
The deep, dark, green colour of spinach adds a beautiful colour to your ramen, making it delicious and aesthetically pleasing.
Bacon
See above! And if you like the idea of adding beef or pork, but don’t want to mess with cooking it, bacon instantly brings the flavor.
Frozen Vegetables
It’s not uncommon to have a bag of frozen veggies lying around the back of your freezer- time to put them to use! Frozen corn, green beans, carrots, or even a mixed bag… it all works. Pro tip: Make sure to run your frozen veggies under hot water for a few minutes before dropping in your broth.
Sriracha
Sometimes it’s nice to kick up the heat a little bit. So go ahead, add some- we know you have a bottle of sriracha in your fridge. And here’s a fantasticCreamy Sriracha Ramen recipeif you’re curious about this combination…
Rotisserie Chicken
Slice it up and add it to your ramen with some veggies and jalapenos for a kick!This recipeis easy, customizable, and perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Brussel Sprouts
We know… but hear us out: brussel sprouts are tangy and crunchy and make the perfect substitute for cabbage if you’re looking for a leafy, crunchy add-in. Bake them, pan-fry them, or throw them in the microwave- it’s all good.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is mild and unassuming, but will make your ramen noodles perfectly creamy and smooth. Just add a splash- a little goes a long way.
Meatballs
Unexpected, but perfectly appropriate. Italian meatballs make a great addition to ramen noodles, and they’re easy to prepare. Prepare them while the ramen is cooking and drop them in the hot soup as soon as it’s ready. The flavors will play well together, give it a try!
You don’t need to be a world-renowned chef to craft the perfect ramen bowl. With the right toppings, you can have better-than-restaurant quality, right from the comfort of your own kitchen. What a time to be alive!
Do you have a favorite ramen topping? Maybe even one that’s slightly unexpected? We’d love to hear them in the comments below!
Check out our blog for more information, follow us on Instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest in the fabulous world of ramen noodles, and watch our TikTok videos for recipe inspiration and visual walkthroughs.
