Ramen's Best Cheese Companion: Finding The Perfect Pair

Ramen and cheese might seem like an unusual combination, but it's actually a quick, easy, and delicious meal that's perfect for when you're short on time or ingredients. While it may not be a traditional ramen ingredient, cheese is a great addition to your bowl of noodles, adding fat, carbohydrates, and umami flavour to the broth.

Mozzarella works well with ramen without broth

Mozzarella is also used in a Korean-inspired one-pot ramen recipe that can be made in just five minutes. The recipe calls for instant ramen noodles, freshly grated mozzarella cheese, garlic powder, black pepper, and scallions or green onions for garnishing. The noodles are cooked until al dente, and then the water is poured out and replaced with butter, garlic powder, black pepper, and grated cheese. The cheese is allowed to melt slightly before everything is stirred together until creamy. The ramen can be customized by adding vegetables or protein, such as grilled or cooked shredded chicken, prawns, sausage, or ham.

Mozzarella can also be used in ramen recipes that do include broth, but it is not the best choice for this type of ramen. Processed American sliced cheese, such as Kraft Singles, is a better option for broth-based ramen because it melts and stretches more easily, creating a cheesy layer that sticks to the noodles as they are slurped. However, mozzarella can still be added to broth-based ramen if it is added at the last second before serving, allowing it to incorporate without dissolving into the broth.

Parmesan can be added to ramen in specific instances

When adding Parmesan to ramen, it's important to consider the type of ramen and the other ingredients involved. Parmesan works best in ramen recipes that are stir-fried or have a thicker consistency. For example, a ramen carbonara recipe that includes bacon, egg, and ground black pepper can be enhanced by the addition of Parmesan cheese. The cheese adds a rich, savoury flavour to the dish.

Another instance where Parmesan can be added to ramen is when using thicker noodles. Thicker noodles can handle a stronger cheese like Parmesan without being overwhelmed. The cheese can be incorporated into the dish by adding it directly to the noodle stir-fry, allowing it to melt and create a cheesy crust.

It's worth noting that adding Parmesan to broth-based ramen can be tricky. Parmesan has a strong flavour and texture, so it may not emulsify well into a broth. However, if you're looking for a creative way to use Parmesan in your ramen, you can try adding it to the toppings or using it sparingly in your broth.

When choosing cheese for ramen, it's important to consider the type of ramen, the desired texture, and the overall flavour profile. While Parmesan may not be the most common choice, it can be a delicious addition to certain ramen recipes, especially when combined with other ingredients to create a unique and tasty dish.

Cheddar is a good option but can be grainy

Cheddar is a good option for ramen but can be grainy. It is smooth, creamy, and salty with a slight tang, and it melts very easily. However, it can become grainy when melted into broths or soups. To avoid this, it is recommended to use a cheddar jack blend as the higher moisture content of jack cheese will melt more evenly. When melting cheddar into ramen, it is also important to have a fatty base to help build the emulsion.

To avoid the grainy texture, there are a few steps you can follow. Firstly, it is recommended to use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-grated cheese, as the latter often contains added cornstarch which can impact its melting ability. Additionally, it is important to control the temperature when adding cheese to ramen. For broth-style ramen, add the cheese after the ramen has finished cooking and is plated. This will allow the cheese to incorporate without dissolving into the broth, creating a stretchy, cheesy bite.

If you are set on using cheddar, there are some tips you can follow to ensure the best results. Firstly, use thicker noodles as they have a chewier texture and are less likely to be overcooked. You can also add other ingredients to enhance the flavour and texture of your cheddar ramen. For example, you could add butter, milk, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to create a creamy, spicy cheese sauce. To thicken the sauce, you can create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the sauce.

American cheese slices are a popular choice

American cheese slices are also a convenient option as they are often readily available in most households. This makes it an easy and tasty hack to elevate a simple bowl of noodle soup into a full-on ramen experience. The cheese can be added directly to the ramen broth or used as a topping, allowing it to melt slightly and create a stretchy, cheesy layer.

When choosing American cheese slices for ramen, look for processed cheese slices such as Kraft Singles or similar products. These slices will melt more evenly and create a smoother texture compared to pre-grated cheese, which may have added cornstarch that can affect its melting ability.

In addition to its popularity in traditional ramen dishes, American cheese is also commonly used in Korean-inspired ramen recipes. For example, the Korean Cheese Corn Ramen recipe combines mozzarella cheese with American cheese slices to create a super chewy, cheesy texture that is perfect for ramen.

When adding American cheese slices to ramen, it is important to control the temperature to achieve the desired texture. For broth-style ramen, add the cheese after the ramen has finished cooking and is plated. This will create a stretchy, cheesy bite without dissolving the cheese completely into the broth.

Overall, American cheese slices are a popular choice for ramen due to their melting ability, convenience, and the indulgent texture they add to the dish. They are a great option for those looking to elevate their ramen experience with a simple, yet tasty hack.

Freshly grated cheese is better than pre-grated

Why Freshly Grated Cheese is Better than Pre-grated

When making a delicious bowl of ramen with cheese, it is always better to use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-grated cheese. Here are some reasons why:

Fresher Taste

Freshly grated cheese has a fresher and creamier taste compared to pre-grated cheese, which contains preservatives and anti-caking agents to prevent clumping. These additives can affect the flavour of the cheese, making it taste less fresh and creamy.

Melts Better

Pre-grated cheese contains additives such as potato starch and natamycin, which are meant to keep the shreds from clumping together. However, these same additives also affect the melting properties of the cheese. Freshly grated cheese, on the other hand, melts more smoothly and evenly, resulting in a creamier and less clumpy dish. This is especially important when making ramen, as you want the cheese to blend seamlessly with the noodles and broth.

Cost-Effective

Grating your own cheese is also more cost-effective. An 8-ounce block of cheese yields more grated shreds than an 8-ounce bag of pre-grated cheese. When you buy pre-grated cheese, you are paying extra for the convenience of having it grated for you. By grating your own cheese, you get more for your money.

Healthier Option

Freshly grated cheese contains fewer additives, making it a healthier option. Pre-grated cheese often contains preservatives, anti-caking agents, and other chemicals that are not necessary and can be avoided by grating your own cheese.

More Options

When you grate your own cheese, you have a wider variety of cheese options to choose from. Pre-shredded cheese usually comes in only a few varieties, such as Mexican blend, Colby Jack, mozzarella, and Swiss. By grating your own cheese, you can explore the thousands of other cheese options available and find the perfect one for your ramen dish.

Frequently asked questions