From Normal to Fantastic: The Best Ways to Reheat Ramen
Ramen is nothing but a bowl of happiness and warmth, so don’t be surprised if you end up making more batches than you’d be able to eat. However, reheating leftover ramen can be a nightmare if you don’t know the right ways to do it.
But, one good thing about Ramen is that it’s incredibly versatile. This means that you can add any kind of toppings to switch up the flavor and the taste of the dish. So, if you don’t want your leftover Ramen to go to waste, here are a few reheating techniques (and quick recipes) that you can use to reheat your ramen.
Related post: How to Reheat Rice Noodles: The Perfect Way
What is Ramen?
Before we talk about the reheating procedures, let us walk you through the meaning of Ramen. If your encounter with Ramen is only limited to those packaged noodles with a sauce maker that you find in supermarkets, you are likely missing out on a LOT.
Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup that has been around for years. It’s usually made with wheat noodles served in broth which can be either meat or fish-based depending on the type of ramen you order. The toppings (such as sliced pork, nori, menma, and scallions) are also different from regular soups because they’re typically miso or soy sauce-based rather than tomato-based like most other dishes might be.
Ramen is often either made from scratch or is sometimes sold in prepackaged ways to make them more economically available.
How to Reheat Ramen?
Now that you have a basic idea about Ramen, it is time to look through the best ways of reheating this dish. There are two ways to reheat ramen noodles. You can either use a microwave or stovetop depending on what you need and the type of ramen:
#1 Using a Microwave
The most common and conventional mode of reheating Ramen is in a microwave. This procedure is ideal for individuals who are on the go and don’t have a lot of time on hand. Here’s what you can do:
#2 Using a Stove Top
The next best option for reheating is by using a stovetop. This is ideal for individuals who don’t have a microwave at home and need a practical way to reheat the ramen. Even this method is relatively quick and is perfect for pre-packaged ramen.
Convert Your Leftover Ramen into Soup Dumplings
Reheating ramen often destroys the original flavor and leaves you with bland soup. But what if I told you that there’s a way to make your leftover noodles into dumplings? Here’s how:
What Can You Add While Reheating Ramen?
Reheating Ramen as it is can taste highly bland and boring. To spice things up, you can always add a range of vegetables and other toppings to further spruce up the taste and the flavor of the dish.
Cheese is always a fantastic addition that improves the taste and adds a layer of creaminess to the ramen that you otherwise wouldn’t have anticipated. If you aren’t a big fan of cheese, even butter adds a level of creaminess to the reheated dish.
To further ‘Asianize’ your bowl of reheated ramen, you can add a sunny-side-up egg on top (or even a soft-boiled egg works well). Roasted meat and shrimp also add a layer of flavor and make the dish a lot more filling.
For vegetables, consider adding leafy greens like Chinese cabbage or bok choy to add a bit of crunch and freshness to the reheated bowl of ramen soup. Carrots and broccoli are also some good choices.
Conclusion
There are not many ways of reheating leftover ramen. So, instead of just reheating your bowl of soup and noodles, get creative with the process and add more substance to the dish. From meat and veggies to spices, you can add many things to switch up your ramen’s taste. Chilli oil is a game changer when it comes to reheated ramen as it adds a lot of depth and flavor to the dish, not to mention, making it more palatable.