How to Make Homemade Ramen Noodles

Co-authored by Thuong Tan

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 Approved

Ramen is an inexpensive and delicious meal that can be prepared in less than five minutes. Many people also use it as a topping for other things, such as chicken salads, or even normal salads.

Ingredients

Instant Ramen
Water
Sachets

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Cooking on the Stove

1
Get a big pot. This should be large enough to put the entire, ramen into without having to break it (you can break it if that is your preference). It should also be small enough so that water can completely cover the ramen noodles. Some people like to eat ramen wet instead of completely drained, so if that's the case, you can be more generous with the water.
2
Pour your preferred amount of water into the pot. If in doubt, try 2 cups, but if you want more, that'll work, too. You can substitute some other liquid for the water, such as soy sauce, or broth, but water will work as well.

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3
Boil the water. On most stoves, you should just turn the knob as high as it can go and wait for the water to boil. If, during the cooking process, the pan starts to bubble over the top, just turn it down. Next time you make ramen, do not turn the stove on as high as it can go.
- So long as the water is bubbling, its temperature is at the boiling point and it is circulating. A furious boil adds little and risks a boil-over, so feel free to turn down the heat a bit once boiling commences.
4
Add the ramen once the water is at a full boil. Use a fork to push the block under the water if it is floating on the top. You can choose to break the block into chunks before adding it, if you prefer shorter, less slurp-able noodles, but it is a personal thing.
5
Stir well. If you want to even out the cooking process and speed it up by keeping uncooked stragglers from the surface, help stir apart the noodles.
6
Wait. Three minutes is the normal cooking time, it may take longer, though.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Thuong Tan
Noodle Expert
Expert Interview. 28 January 2021.} When the noodles are starting to turn slightly yellow, they are done. At this point, the ramen should be completely broken apart, and, when you put your fork in the water, a few noodles attach themselves to your fork.
- The ramen is ready to eat when it is flexible. If it cooks a few minutes longer, it will become softer, fatter, and translucent. You may prefer it this way.
7
Add the flavor packet. Note that there is a very large amount of sodium in the small packet- if you have health problems, it would be better to add less, or none at all.
8
Stir well. At this point, you can do one of two things: you can pour the entire pot of ramen, including all of the liquid, into a bowl, and have a soup, or drain the water, and just eat the ramen.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Cooking with the Microwave

1
Put your uncooked noodles in a microwave safe bowl and pour the seasoning on top of the noodles.
2
Add 2 cups of water, and do your best to dissolve the seasoning in the water.
3
Carefully put your bowl in the microwave and cook on high for 3-4 minutes.
- If you broke up the noodles before cooking them, they should be done. Otherwise, you may want to let it sit and absorb for a while. even though it's not as good, it's a bit easier for those who can't stand and stir it while it's on the stove.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Using a Kettle

1
Another way of making ramen noodles is to use the hot water from a coffee maker or espresso maker. This works great if you live in a college dorm that doesn't allow microwaves in each room. All you have to do is put them into a bowl and pour hot water over the noodles. Let sit for about three minutes and add the seasoning packet.

Community Q&A

Question

What could cause there to be bugs in the microwave?

Community Answer

If the microwave is unclean, it could cause there to be bugs. You should clean it thoroughly and make sure to disinfect it before you use it to cook food.
Question

How do I cook ramen noodles in my coffee pot?

Community Answer

Don't make it in your coffee pot. Pour the hot water from the coffee pot over the noodles, then let it sit for three minutes and add flavoring.
Question

How much time do you put when you have to get boiling water for the cup ramen noodles

Yui Chen

Community Answer

Normally, the directions are on the lid of the cup. But if it isn't you should try 3-4 minutes.
Question

I don't know why, but when I put the seasoning on after it cooked the noodles were flavorless. What did I do wrong?

laurelyn waldner

Community Answer

If you put too much water in the bowl/pot, then there will be less flavoring. Next time, try putting the packet in while cooking the noodles so the noodles will soak in the packet flavor.
Question

Should I let my grandmother cook them or should I try to start making the ramen noodles myself? I'm 15.

Community Answer

That's a great age to start learning the basics of cooking, and ramen noodles are easy to make, so yes, ask your grandmother to show you how to make them and then you can do it yourself.
Question

Does it matter what temperature the water is to pour?

Yui Chen

Community Answer

Yes, typically you need boiling water to make it taste right, or at least get it to hot water.
Question

How much water do you put in the measuring cup?

Community Answer

Until the noodles are completely covered in water, so it depends on how much you're making.
Question

Is it ok to put my noodles in before the water boils?

Miss Merlin

Community Answer

Yes. Most instructions say to boil the water first, but I always add the noodles and seasoning at the start. It doesn't seem to make a difference.
Question

Can I eat this with chopsticks?

Community Answer

Yes, you can eat this with chopsticks.
Question

How can I make my noodles spicy?

Yui Chen

Community Answer

Sometimes you can buy special Ramen that's already spicy. Or try to look for little packs of hot sauce or spicy seasonings.

Warnings

Ramen noodles are typically high in fat due to frying in manufacturing, the flavoring is typically high in sodium, and both are typically low in nutrition other than carbohydrates.^{[2]
X
Research source}. Don't make them a principal part of your diet. Pasta is similarly easy to prepare, but lower in fat, often enriched in vitamins, and typically eaten with a large proportion of nutritious foods such as vegetables.

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