If you are in college, you are probably used to eating ramen multiple times a week. But who said this quick meal has to be boring? Never fear, because VALLEY has stepped up and pulled together ten instant ramen hacks to upgrade your noodles.
Stir in some Miso Paste
Ditch that flavor packet, and instead mix miso paste right in with the water and noodles. The miso paste mixed in is much healthier than the flavor packet, and most importantly, super delicious.
Spice it Up
If you’re looking for a spicier soup, drizzle some Sriracha onto your noodles, or stir in some hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
Add Veggies
After your ramen is boiled, fry it on up with some fresh veggies and soy sauce. Or for a much for college friendly alternative, boil some frozen veggies right in with the noodles and flavor packet.
Cheese? Please!
With only two slices of American cheese, a little butter, and that trusty flavor packet, ramen is instantly transformed into a delicious, cheesy blessing. If you’d rather your ramen broth-free, skip the flavor packet and drain it all out. Then stir in some butter, and sprinkle with parmesan to your heart’s desire.
One word: Sesame
Stir some sesame oil into your ramen, and top with sesame seeds, for a classic kick of flavor.
Boil an Egg
While your noodles are boiling, drop in an egg. By the time the noodles are ready to eat, the egg will be hard-boiled to perfection—the perfect addition to your ramen.
Raid the Salad Bar
Really, is there anything more “college food” than instant ramen and the salad bar? Next time you hit up the salad bar, be sure to stock up on mushrooms, spinach, bean sprouts, and tofu cubes. All those salad bar basics, can be mixed in while the ramen is boiling for an easy upgrade.
Peanut Butter? Peanut Butter.
OK, trust us on this one. Mix up to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter in with the seasoned ramen, for a delicious combination that (trust us again) you’ll be upset you didn’t give a try.
Curry Powder + Coconut Milk
Instead of water, boil the ramen with 1 cup of coconut milk and stir in the flavor packet and a little curry powder.
Ramen Treats
For anyone who’s ever doubted that ramen noodles could claim dessert status, this one’s for you. When that sweet tooth starts acting up, microwave 10 marshmallows and a tablespoon of butter for one minute. Then crush up a block of plain ramen, and mix it in with the melted marshmallow. Wait for it all to soften up, shape it into a bar, and eat up all that marshmallowy, instant goodness.
Now that VALLEY has successfully proven that there’s no room to complain about that ever-affordable, humble block of instant ramen, get to trying out these simple ramen hacks for yourself! Tweet us @ValleyMag with your faves and with any hacks we might have missed to save yet another student from the horrors of a stereotypical last minute college-kid dinner.
