The Ultimate Creamy Instant Ramen Upgrade

Transform ordinary instant noodles into a rich, decadent meal with this viral ramen hack. A creamy, savory Tonkotsu-style broth is created in minutes using Japanese mayonnaise and a raw egg yolk.

Ingredients

• 1 pack instant ramen noodles (with seasoning packets)
• 1 egg yolk (raw)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie)
• 400 ml boiling water (for the broth)
• 3 slices Spam, pan-fried
• 1 sausage, cooked
• 1 soft-boiled egg
• 2 tbsp sweet corn kernels
• 2-3 slices green bell pepper
• to garnish seaweed flakes and sesame seeds

Instructions

1. 1Prepare the egg yolk

   

   Carefully crack an egg, separating the yolk from the white. Place the unbroken, raw egg yolk directly into a dark ceramic bowl. This yolk will serve as the rich, emulsifying base for the creamy noodle sauce.

   Tip: Use the eggshells to gently pass the yolk back and forth to let the egg white easily slip away without breaking the yolk.
2. 2Add minced garlic

   

   Place a portion of finely minced garlic next to the raw egg yolk in the dark ceramic bowl. The raw garlic will provide a sharp, pungent kick that balances the rich flavors of the other ingredients.

   Tip: Mince the garlic as finely as possible so it blends seamlessly into the final sauce without leaving harsh, raw chunks.
3. 3Squeeze in mayonnaise

   

   Squeeze a generous amount of mayonnaise into the bowl alongside the egg yolk and minced garlic. The mayonnaise is crucial for emulsifying the sauce and giving it a creamy, rich texture.

   Tip: Japanese-style mayonnaise is highly recommended for this hack, as it adds a slightly sweeter and tangier flavor profile than standard mayonnaise.
4. 4Add the seasoning powder

   

   Tear open the instant noodle seasoning packet and pour the flavor powder directly over the egg yolk, mayonnaise, and minced garlic.

   Tip: Ensure your egg is fresh and safe for raw consumption, as it will only be gently tempered by the hot water later.
5. 5Add the dried vegetables

   

   Open the packet of dried vegetables included with your instant noodles and sprinkle the contents into the bowl alongside the other base ingredients.

   Tip: If you prefer a less salty broth, start by adding only half or three-quarters of the seasoning packet and adjust later to taste.
6. 6Mix the sauce base

   

   Using a spoon, vigorously stir the egg yolk, mayonnaise, minced garlic, seasoning powder, and dried vegetables together. Continue mixing until all the components are fully incorporated into a thick, homogenous paste.

   Tip: Stir thoroughly to ensure the dry seasoning powder dissolves completely and evenly into the egg yolk and mayonnaise.
7. 7Add hot liquid

   

   Carefully ladle hot liquid into the bowl over the mixed egg and seasoning paste. The heat from the water will slightly temper the ingredients and help dissolve the seasonings to create a rich base.

   Tip: Ensure the liquid is very hot so it properly dissolves the seasoning paste without leaving any clumps.
8. 8Mix the creamy broth

   

   Using a spoon, vigorously stir the hot liquid and seasoning paste together. Continue mixing until everything is fully dissolved and the liquid transforms into a smooth, creamy yellow broth.

   Tip: Stir quickly and continuously while the liquid is still hot to ensure a completely smooth emulsion.
9. 9Add the cooked noodles

   

   Carefully transfer the boiled, wavy instant noodles from the pot directly into the rich, creamy broth. Let the noodles rest for a moment so they can soak up the flavorful, emulsified liquid.

   Tip: Shake off the excess boiling water from the noodles before transferring them to avoid diluting your creamy broth.
10. 10Top with fried spam

    

    Top the cooked noodles with the browned, pan-fried slices of spam, arranging them neatly to one side of the bowl.

    Tip: Pan-frying the spam before adding it to the bowl gives it a crispy exterior and enhances its savory flavor.
11. 11Add sausage and egg

    

    Place a plump, cooked sausage next to the spam slices. Carefully cut a soft-boiled egg in half and nestle the two halves into the broth alongside the other hearty toppings.

    Tip: For the perfect soft-boiled egg with a jammy yolk, boil it for exactly 6 minutes and then immediately cool it in an ice bath.
12. 12Sprinkle the final seasonings

    

    Complete the dish by opening the seasoning packet and sprinkling a generous amount of seaweed flakes and sesame seeds directly over the noodles and toppings. This final touch adds an essential savory umami note and a pleasant textural crunch to the rich, creamy broth.

    Tip: If you are making this from scratch and do not have a pre-mixed packet, you can crush up sheets of roasted nori and mix them with lightly toasted sesame seeds.

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