Friday Fun: Make-Your-Own Ramen Bowls

Ramen noodle shops are popping up all over. This light-yet-hearty, casual-yet-sophisticated meal has transformed from the inexpensive, packaged kit many of us relied on in our college days to a warming dinner with rich umami flavor. But constructing a ramen noodle bowl is actually rather simple, and it makes for a fun dinner that can be customized to meet the needs and tastes of everyone sitting around the table.

Make-Your-Own Ramen Bowls

8 cups water*

1/4 cup miso paste*

4 dried packs of rice ramen noodle

Customizable Toppings (Use any of the following, or customize according to your tastes):

4-6 eggs

4 carrots, peeled and finely chopped

2 scallions, chopped

1 cup frozen corn

1 cup leftover chicken, shredded

Other fun additions: pickled ginger, tamari, siracha, crunchy noodles, dried wakame (seaweed)

* For a simpler solution on a busy weeknight, use a ready-made broth, such as the Miso Ginger Soup base from Trader Joe’s.

Directions

Bring the water to a boil. Dissolve the miso paste into the water, or use a packaged broth.

Meanwhile, bring a small pot of water to boil. Gently add the eggs and lower the heat. Allow to cook at a simmer for 8 minutes. Remove the hard boiled eggs from the pot with a slotted spoon and place on a plate to cool. When cool, rinse and remove the eggshells. Slice in half vertically and place on a small serving plate.

Using the same small pot, steam the carrots until they are tender. Remove and place in a small serving bowl. Then quickly cook the corn until defrosted. Remove and place in a small serving bowl. Place the scallions and chicken (as well as other chosen toppings) into serving dishes.

Add the ramen noodles to the boiling soup base. After 1 minute, use a fork or chopsticks to gentle separate the noodles. Use a large, slotted spoon to remove the noodles from the pot after 2-3 minutes. Place the noodles in a serving bowl.

Spoon the miso base into individual bowls, add noodles, and invite everyone to customize their own!