Instant Ramen 🍜 ✨elevated ✨(Spicy Miso Garlic)
Soup season is here, and this miso instant ramen recipe is easily becoming my new faves! 😋 I love instant noodles so this recipe just takes those to the next level and hit the spot on these chilly rainy days
🧂 Ingredients:
1 pack of instant ramen (discard or reserve 1 seasoning packet for flavor)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil (or olive oil if needed)
1½ tsp chili flakes or 1–2 tbsp chili crisp
1 tbsp miso paste (white or red miso)
1 tsp mirin (or 1 tsp sugar if you don’t have mirin)
1 tsp kewpie mayonnaise (adds creaminess + umami)
1 egg (1 per serving)
~1½ cups hot water or broth (fill pot halfway if eyeballing)
Optional Toppings:
Corn kernels
Nori sheets
Soft boiled eggs (if not using poached in broth)
Sesame seeds
Shichimi togarashi (or chili flakes + orange zest for DIY version)
Chopped green onions
👩🍳 Instructions
1.) Cook noodles: Boil ramen noodles in a separate pot until just cooked. Drain and set aside.
2.) Build flavor base: In a large pot or wok, heat sesame oil over medium. Add minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
3.) Add broth mix: Pour in ~1½ cups hot water or broth. Stir in miso paste, soy sauce, mirin, chili flakes/chili crisp, and optional 1 ramen seasoning packet. Whisk until miso dissolves and broth is smooth.
4.)Make it creamy: Whisk in kewpie mayo until fully incorporated — it’ll make the broth velvety.
5.) Add noodles: Toss noodles into broth and stir well to coat.
6.) Add eggs:
-Option 1 (poached): Crack eggs directly into the simmering broth, cover, and cook 3–4 min.
-Option 2 (soft boiled): Cook eggs separately for 6–7 minutes, peel, and slice on top.
7.) Taste + adjust: Add more soy for salt, chili for heat, or a splash of water if too rich.
8.) Top + serve: Garnish with corn, nori, sesame seeds, green onions, and shichimi togarashi.
Since I first whipped up this spicy miso garlic ramen, it's become my ultimate comfort food! But what I love even more is how easily you can make it your own. Beyond the basic recipe, there are so many ways to elevate your instant ramen experience further, making each bowl uniquely delicious. Let's talk about toppings first, because they truly transform a simple bowl into a gourmet meal. While my recipe includes some great options, don't stop there! I often add some pan-fried mushrooms for an extra earthy depth or a sprinkle of toasted seaweed snacks for a salty crunch. For protein, thinly sliced leftover chicken or even some quickly sautéed shrimp can be fantastic additions. If you love eggs, try marinating a soft-boiled egg in soy sauce and mirin overnight – it's a game-changer for that extra umami kick. And for a pop of color and freshness, a handful of baby spinach or bok choy wilted directly in the hot broth is simply divine. Thinking about the flavor base, the type of miso paste you choose can subtly change the profile. White miso is milder and sweeter, perfect for a lighter, creamy taste, while red miso offers a deeper, more robust, and saltier flavor. I often experiment between the two depending on my mood. And for that spicy element, if you're not a fan of chili flakes, a dollop of gochujang or a swirl of sriracha can provide a different kind of heat. Don't be afraid to lean into the garlic too – sometimes I add an extra clove or two if I'm really craving that pungent aroma! Another secret weapon for ultimate creaminess? That Kewpie mayonnaise! It's not just for sushi. Its rich, tangy flavor emulsifies beautifully into the broth, creating that luxurious, velvety texture that makes this ramen so irresistible. If you don't have Kewpie, a tiny splash of heavy cream or even a spoonful of full-fat coconut milk can offer a similar richness, though the flavor profile will shift slightly. Finally, don't forget the broth itself. While hot water works, using a good quality vegetable or chicken broth instead can deepen the complexity significantly. You can even make a super quick dashi by steeping a kombu strip in hot water for 10-15 minutes before adding your other ingredients. These small tweaks, like ensuring your minced garlic is fragrant before adding liquid, really build layers of flavor that make your spicy miso garlic ramen sing. Experiment, taste, and adjust – that's the beauty of cooking your own elevated instant noodles!