You'll Never Make Bad Ramen Again Thanks To This Seasoning Tip

A couple of rookie mistakes that people make when cooking ramen are overboiling the noodles or failing to serve them immediately when they're piping hot and at their best. However, even the squishiest of noodles can usually be rescued with the phenomenal flavor of the accompanying seasoning packet. The only problem? Pouring in the entire sachet without tasting it first can result in an overwhelming bowl of broth that clears the sinuses. As ramen seasoning is super-concentrated, the flavor can be intense and, in some cases, highly spicy. The answer is to add the seasonings into your simmering noodles in a piecemeal fashion, which makes for a better batch of umami-packed goodness that suits your palate.

Ramen seasoning is a mixture of dried spices and herbs, such as onion, garlic, dried mushroom, and chili. These dinky little foil packets can also include warming spices, like cumin, coriander and turmeric, or aromatics, such as galangal and lime leaves, depending on which brand you select. The key thing to bear in mind when adding these petite sachets of savoriness to your noodles is that you don't have to stick to the instructions on the back and use them up in their entirety for a single serving. The baller move is to sprinkle in a little, have a quick taste, and add more as needed to avoid ruining the whole dish. This method is also useful if you're watching your sodium intake or just like your ramen to have a milder flavor profile.

Don't worry about wasting the flavorful powder in the packet as any leftover ramen seasoning is perfect for punching up bland veggies. Simply scatter it into the water when boiling anything from potatoes to green beans, or sprinkle it on a hot batch of fries to lend them a scrumptiously spicy coating. You can even amp up your basic mashed potato gravy with a packet of ramen seasoning or stir it through some creamy pasta to imbue it with an aromatic vibe. As ramen seasoning often contains MSG, it amps up the savory quality of a homemade gravy, lending it greater depth and complexity (as well as giving it a warming kick). If you can't find an immediate use for leftover ramen seasoning, place your sachet in an airtight container for later.

If you've accidentally tipped the whole ramen seasoning packet into your pan and are googling a way to rescue it, you could dilute the spicy broth with more water or hot chicken stock to mellow it out. Another option is to add another block of noodles in and turn your dish into a meal for two. Alternatively, toss in extra veggies, like bok choi and bean sprouts, or amp up the protein content with cubed tofu or halved boiled eggs, to balance the salty spiciness.