Ramen has gained worldwide popularity for its delicious and unique flavor profile. Typically featuring a flavorful broth, wheat noodles, and various ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and soft-boiled eggs, this Japanese dish is as versatile as it is scrumptious. And, of course, TikTok has made finding different ramen recipes a whole lot easier. With the right recipe and some basic kitchen skills, you’ll be able to make a delicious bowl of ramen that rivals those served in restaurants.
Related: 15 Hacks to Make Instant Ramen More Delicious Under $1
Classic Shoyu Ramen
Shoyu ramen is one of the most popular types of ramen in Japan. The broth is slow-cooked in soy sauce, dashi, and chicken or pork bones for several hours. Recreate the umami flavor of the broth by mixing dashi powder, soy sauce, and a sprinkle of sugar. It’s typically served with chashu pork, bamboo shoots, nori (dried seaweed), and a soft-boiled sliced in half.
Related: I Tried 13 Kinds of Instant Ramen and These Were the Best (and Worst)
Spicy Miso Ramen
This dish is a variation on classic miso ramen that includes spicy chili paste or hot sauce. According to the TikToker, this recipe was the most popular one on her food blog in 2022, and we can see why. The broth is made with miso paste, dashi, and a pork stock, and the noodles are served with ground pork, bean sprouts, scallions, and corn. The addition of spice gives the broth a satisfying kick that will help keep you warm on a cold day.
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Vegan Ramen
Vegan ramen is a great option for those who prefer to limit their meat intake or don’t eat it altogether. The broth is made with vegetable broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, and plenty of veggies. It can be served with fried or baked tofu, mushrooms, bok choy, and broccoli. The result is a hearty, flavorful soup that is both healthy and satisfying. Pro tip: Add a dash of chili oil at the end to make the broth even more flavorful.
Tonkotsu Ramen
Tonkotsu ramen is a rich and creamy pork-based broth that is popular in Japan and around the world. The broth is made by simmering pork bones for several hours until the collagen and marrow break down, resulting in a rich, silky broth. It is typically served with sliced pork belly, nori, black garlic oil, and narutomaki (cured fish cake).
Chicken Ramen
This recipe for chicken ramen is a lighter and less fatty alternative to pork-based ramen. The broth can be made with chicken stock, dashi, and soy sauce, though you can also throw in a cube of chicken bouillon to enhance the flavor. It is typically served with roasted chicken, menma (fermented bamboo shoots), and a soy-marinated egg. The result is a flavorful, protein-packed soup that is perfect for lunch or dinner.
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‘Finding Nemo’ Seafood Ramen
This “Finding Nemo” ramen is a great option for seafood lovers. The broth is made by combining ingredients such as fish, shrimp, soy sauce, and vegetable stock. It can be served with shrimp, clams, mussels, and squid rings, and topped with sliced green onions and fresh cilantro. You can also take this recipe down a Cajun route by adding ingredients such as onions, garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, and melted butter.
Spicy Coconut Curry Ramen
This curry ramen recipe yields a fusion dish that combines the flavors of Japanese ramen with Indian curry. To make the broth, combine red chili flakes, onion, garlic, ginger, and turmeric powder, and sauté for a few minutes before adding coconut cream and your ingredients of choice such as chicken, potatoes, and carrots. Garnish with fried shallots (optional) and lime wedges. The result is a delicious and aromatic soup that is sure to satisfy your craving for both ramen and curry.
Kimchi Jjigae Ramen
Another mashup, this kimchi ramen is a Korean-inspired dish that combines the flavors of kimchi with Japanese ramen. The broth is typically made with a spicy kimchi-based broth with pork belly, bean sprouts, tofu, and enoki mushrooms, and garnished with a soft-boiled egg and sesame seeds. Kimchi is a fermented cabbage that can help boost your immune system by increasing the number of probiotics and beneficial bacteria in the gut.
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Savory Beef Ramen
For staunch meat lovers, this savory beef ramen recipe can be a heartier alternative to pork-based ramen. Start by searing your beef, mushrooms, and garlic before adding to the broth made up of beef stock, soy sauce, and mirin. Garnish with the sliced beef, shiitake mushrooms, and bok choy, and top it off with a soft-boiled egg and thinly sliced scallions.
‘TikTok Ramen’
For those who prefer a less soupy version of ramen, this stir fry ramen dish comprised of butter, crushed red peppers, garlic, and soy sauce is sure to hit the spot. Start by boiling your instant ramen noodles, paying close attention not to overcook them. For the sauce, melt butter and add garlic, crushed red peppers, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Toss the noodles in the pan with the sauce, then add a scrambled egg or your choice of veggies. Serve hot with sliced scallions and a sprinkle of everything bagel spice.
Tsukemen Ramen
Tsukemen ramen is another popular ramen dish that consists of cold noodles served with a separate hot dipping broth. The broth is typically made with soy sauce, mirin, sake, and bonito flakes to give it a rich and savory umami flavor. The noodles are usually thicker and chewier than regular ramen noodles, allowing them to hold up better when dipped into the hot broth. Serve with a side of nori and sliced green onions.
