Patrick Oconnell
Ramen and cheese might seem like an unusual combination, but it's actually a match made in heaven. Adding cheese to ramen is an easy way to elevate a simple bowl of noodle soup into a full-on ramen experience. Cheese is rich in free glutamates, a building block for umami flavour, and ramen is already packed with umami. By adding cheese, you also add fat and carbohydrates, enriching the broth. The best part? Most people already have both ramen and cheese on hand, making it one of the simplest and tastiest ramen hacks around.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | American, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella, Cream cheese, Cotija/Feta, Colby-Jack, Velveeta, Kraft Singles |
| Cheese form | Sliced, shredded, grated |
| Ramen type | Broth-based, Korean, Japanese, Spicy, Chicken, Beef, Brothless |
| Other ingredients | Butter, milk, garlic powder, green onions, Parmesan, pasta water, hot water, cornstarch, cold water, egg, seaweed, sesame seeds, miso butter, sriracha hot sauce, red pepper, cayenne pepper, pepper flakes |
| Taste | Delicious, creamy, salty, tangy, nutty, spicy, gooey |
| Benefits | Easy, tasty, comforting, full-on ramen experience, adds fat, carbohydrates, protein, calcium, and enriches the broth |
| Drawbacks | Cheese is temperamental, may not be intuitive, high in fat and sodium |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cheese and ramen: a natural combination
Ramen is a versatile dish with many ways to dress it up. While cheese and ramen might not seem like an intuitive combination, it makes sense when you consider the potential for a delicious flavour and texture profile. Cheese is naturally rich in free glutamates, a building block for umami flavour, and ramen is already packed with umami. Adding cheese to ramen also adds fat and carbohydrates, enriching the broth.
The simplicity and ease of adding cheese to ramen make it one of the most popular ramen hacks. Most people usually have both cheese and instant ramen on hand, making it one of the simplest ways to turn a simple bowl of noodle soup into a full-on ramen experience.
When it comes to choosing a cheese to use with ramen, not all cheeses work equally well. The type of cheese you choose depends on the recipe and your personal preference. For a broth-based ramen, processed American cheese slices, such as Kraft Singles, are a popular choice due to their ability to melt and stretch. This creates a super stretchy cheese ramen bite that many people enjoy. Other options include cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack, mozzarella, cream cheese, and cotija/feta. Freshly shredded cheese is recommended as it melts better due to the absence of anti-caking agents.
To achieve the desired cheese ramen, it is important to carefully incorporate the cheese into your ramen. For broth-style ramen, it is best to add the cheese after the ramen has finished cooking and is plated. Adding sliced cheese at the last second before serving allows the cheese to incorporate without dissolving into the broth. If you add cheese during the cooking process, you may end up with a delicious soup, but it will be lacking the desired stretchiness and creaminess.
Cheese ramen has become a go-to upgrade for many ramen enthusiasts. The combination of cheese and ramen might seem unconventional at first, but it has gained popularity due to its delicious taste and the convenience of using easily accessible ingredients.
Presenting Prosciutto: The Art of Adorning a Cheese Board
You may want to see also
The best cheeses for ramen
Ramen and cheese might not seem like an obvious combination, but it is a delicious and simple way to elevate a bowl of noodle soup. Cheese is rich in free glutamates, a building block for umami flavour, and ramen is packed with umami. Adding cheese also enriches the broth with fat and carbohydrates.
When choosing a cheese to add to your ramen, not all cheeses will work equally well. The best option depends on the recipe and the type of ramen. For example, if you want to add cheese to the top of a bowl of broth-based ramen, you should opt for processed American cheese slices, like Kraft Singles. This type of cheese melts and stretches well, creating a cheesy layer that sticks to the noodles. Other processed cheese slices, such as Velveeta, also work well for this purpose.
If you are making a ramen dish with a thicker sauce, such as a carbonara or quattro formaggi, you can add cream cheese, mozzarella, or cheddar cheese. Freshly shredded cheddar cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-caking agents. You can also add butter, milk, and garlic powder to create a creamy cheese sauce for your ramen.
For spicy ramen, mozzarella can be a good option as it melts well and adds a stringy, chewy texture. American cheese also pairs well with spicy ramen, especially Korean ramen without broth, such as Samyang Buldak.
The Perfect Cheesy Burger: Mastering the Melt
You may want to see also
How to add cheese to ramen
Cheese and ramen might not seem like an intuitive combination, but it makes a lot of sense when you think about it. Cheese is naturally rich in free glutamates, a building block for umami flavour, and ramen is already packed with umami. By adding cheese, you also add fat and carbohydrates, enriching the broth.
When adding cheese to ramen, temperature control is key. Cheese is temperamental, and it can break or do weird things when you least expect it. For broth-style ramen, add your cheese after the ramen has finished cooking and is plated. This way, the cheese will incorporate itself without dissolving into the broth, creating a super stretchy cheese ramen bite.
If you want to add cheese to your ramen, the best cheese to use is processed American sliced cheese, like Kraft Singles. This is because processed cheese has the ability to melt and stretch, making it a perfect topping for broth-based ramen. If you add a slice of American cheese to the top of your bowl of ramen and allow it to steam for a minute, you will end up with a cheesy layer that will stretch and stick to the noodles as you eat.
If you want to make a more complex dish, you can try making a ramen carbonara. Start by melting butter in a pot, then add minced garlic and fry until golden brown. Next, add milk to cool things down, followed by slices of American cheese, sriracha, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix in a little broth to thin the sauce, then add your cooked ramen noodles and fold them into the sauce. Serve warm and garnish with green onions and parmesan.
If you want to add cheese to your ramen, you can also experiment with cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey jack, pepper jack, cream cheese, provolone, or parmesan.
The Ultimate Steak and Cheese Sub Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Why cheese works so well in ramen
Cheese and ramen might not seem like an intuitive combination, but it is a delicious and popular pairing. Cheese is naturally rich in free glutamates, a building block for umami flavor, and ramen is already packed with umami. By adding cheese, you also add fat and carbohydrates, enriching the broth.
Cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be added to ramen in many ways. It can be melted into the broth, creating a gooey, mac and cheese-like sauce. Alternatively, a slice of cheese can be added to the top of the ramen, melting over the noodles and creating a stretchy, cheesy bite. The best cheese to use for this is processed cheese, such as American cheese, which melts and stretches well. Other types of cheese that can be used include cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese, and cotija or feta.
The simplicity and accessibility of cheese and ramen make them a perfect pairing. Most people usually have both on hand, making cheese one of the easiest and tastiest ways to upgrade a bowl of ramen. Adding cheese to ramen is a quick and easy way to create a comforting and indulgent meal.
While cheese and ramen may seem like an unusual combination, the versatility of cheese allows it to enhance the flavors and textures of ramen. Whether melted into the broth or added as a stretchy topping, cheese adds a creamy, salty, and slightly tangy element to the dish. For those looking for a simple way to elevate their ramen, cheese is a delicious and convenient option.
Cheese-stuffed Chicken Breasts: A Tasty Twist
You may want to see also
Cheese ramen recipes
Cheese and ramen might not seem like an intuitive combination, but it is a delicious and simple way to elevate a bowl of noodle soup. Cheese is naturally rich in free glutamates, a building block for umami flavour, and ramen is already packed with umami. Adding cheese also enriches the broth with fat and carbohydrates.
Ingredients
The ingredients for cheese ramen are flexible and can be adapted to suit your preferences. Here are some options:
- Any instant ramen noodles
- Water
- Milk (unsweetened plant-based milk also works)
- Butter (salted)
- Cheese (see below for suggestions)
- Garlic powder
- Green onions/scallions
- Parmesan
- Ground black pepper
- Sesame seeds
- Chives
- Cayenne pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Paprika powder
- Soy sauce
- Tofu
- Vegetables (e.g. broccoli, asparagus, spinach, mushroom, peppers, peas, zucchini)
Cheese Suggestions
The type of cheese you use can make a big difference to the final dish. Here are some suggestions:
- American cheese: This is a natural companion to ramen. It melts well without leaving grease behind and is rich in protein and calcium. It can be purchased in slices or blocks.
- Cheddar: Freshly shredded cheddar melts well and does not contain an anti-caking agent.
- Monterey jack
- Pepper jack
- Mozzarella
- Gouda
- Parmesan
Recipe
- Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain the water and return the noodles to the pot.
- Add butter and gently melt it.
- Add milk and shredded cheese.
- Add garlic powder and the ramen flavour packet.
- Stir the mixture on low heat until it is smooth.
- Add the cooked ramen noodles to the pot and gently fold them into the sauce to ensure even coverage.
- If the sauce is too thick, add some of the pasta water to thin it out.
- Serve the ramen warm and garnish with green onions, Parmesan, and sesame seeds.
Spicy Variation
For a spicy variation, add the following ingredients:
- Minced garlic
- Sriracha
- Hot sauce
- Cayenne pepper
- Red pepper flakes
Fry the garlic until golden-brown, then add milk, cheese, and spices. Simmer until the cheese melts, then add a tablespoon of broth and your noodles.
The Mystery of Sawdust in Shredded Cheese
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Cheese is rich in free glutamates, a building block for umami flavor, and ramen is already packed with umami. Adding cheese also adds fat and carbohydrates, enriching the broth.
Processed American cheese slices, like Kraft Singles, are a popular choice as they melt and stretch well. Other options include cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, Monterey jack, and cream cheese.
There are various ways to make cheesy ramen, depending on the type of ramen and cheese used. A simple method is to add sliced cheese to the ramen after it has finished cooking, allowing the cheese to incorporate without dissolving into the broth. Alternatively, you can melt butter in a pot, add milk, shredded cheese, garlic powder, and the ramen flavor packet, then mix in the cooked ramen noodles.
While it may not be for everyone, many people enjoy cheesy ramen, finding it delicious and comforting. It is a simple way to elevate a bowl of noodle soup and create a full-on ramen experience at home.
![[OTTOGI] Cheese Ramen, KOREAN STYLE INSTANT NOODLE, Rich flavor with savory cheese (111g) - 8 Pack](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91XIzI1f2fL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
