Perfect Instant Ramen
Updated Nov. 24, 2024

- Total Time
- 10 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 1pack ramen noodles with flavor packet
- 1large egg
- ½teaspoon butter
- 2slices American cheese
- ¼teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- ½scallion, green part only, thinly sliced on the bias, optional
Preparation
- Step 1
Bring 2½ cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the noodles and cook for 2 minutes. Add the flavor packet, stir, and continue to cook for another 30 seconds.
- Step 2
Remove the pan from the heat and carefully add the egg. Do not stir; pull the noodles over the egg and let sit for one minute to poach.
- Step 3
Carefully transfer everything to a serving bowl, add the butter, cheese and sesame seeds and mix. Garnish with the scallions if desired.
Private Notes
Comments
I looked through all the readers' notes, and while many of their suggestions for other ways to prepare ramen sounded amazing, I wanted to know what was so remarkable about Chef Choi's version that the Times would share it. We prepared it without deviation. It was WONDERFUL. The broth soft-cooked the egg and melted the butter and cheese, which lightly coated the noodles. The impression I had was that of enjoying a rich cheese-omelet-flavored dish. We will absolutely make this again.
Okay. I love ramen and saw this a while ago and was: naw. American cheese? Hardly cooked egg? But tonight, I tried it. Oh, my God. Whatever is in "American cheese," -- it's not cheese -- melts instantly and alchemically gives the broth the lovely thickened rich texture of real ramen shop noodle broth. I don't know how it works and I don't care. Never eating instant ramen any other way again.
Decades ago, I taught Red Cross swimming lessons. Early morning sessions at our poor unheated community public pool. A version of this was my breakfast. I soon realized many of my students lacked a warm breakfast. I cooked one ramen packet w/egg and half a slice of cheese per student, each in a recyclable bowl. I transported it all in a cooler. You’d better believe it made a difference in these kids lives! Don’t be so quick to judgment.
Late to the party on this--needed something quick. The noodle package I had included dry seasoning and seasoned oil, which it directed to mix together in the serving bowl, which I did, adding in scallion, sesame seeds, and cilantro before adding hot noodles with poached egg and cooking water. Used shredded cheddar, didn't have American on hand. Dashes of hot sauce. Delicious, my new fave comfort food.
I know I’m in the minority but for me this recipe was okay but not great. I use American cheese in my Mac and cheese and have no problem with ramen either. I followed the recipe exactly except I used only half of the Flavor packet since I don’t like things too salty. I ate half and threw the rest out.
having it more than once is a mistake but it's really good
