9 Easy Instant Noodle Recipes To Upgrade The Humble Asian Staple
Ditch the flavour packet
By Elizabeth Liew -
Ah, instant noodles. The bedrock of convenience comfort food. We love them because they offer a quick convenient meal option, don't expire quickly, and come in all sorts of exciting flavours like tom yam and ma la. But we also know that they're typically sodium — and MSG-laden and low in nutrients, so it's not exactly something to be eaten every day. But if you're looking to amp up your meal, here are some instant noodle recipes to try.
Simple and comforting chicken noodle soup is the perfect antidote if you're feeling slightly under the weather. Or if it's pouring outside and you're stuck at home with instant noodles and some basic ingredients.
Turn up the spice with this Thai street food recipe also known as Drunken Noodles (although there's no alcohol involved here). It typically consists of ingredients like stir-fried chicken, chilli and, of course, Thai basil.
Here’s how you can conjure a quick and tasty meal in under 15 minutes. While it’s not the latest innovation to put peanut butter in your instant noodles, additions of gochugaru and some pantry staples like garlic, onion, coriander and more will give your ramen the upgrade it needs from a minimal effort recipe to one of delicious comfort food.
Craving okonomiyaki? Make your own version with this quick and easy noodle pancake recipe. You can follow the ingredients listed or swap for your preferred toppings.
This 20-minute dish combines sweet and savoury teriyaki sauce, minced beef, green beans and snow peas tossed with instant noodles for a filling meal.
Who says noodles can only be enjoyed in a bowl? Break the mould with an instant noodle omelette frittata that you can prep in less than 30 minutes — perfect for a quick office lunch or for the kids' lunchbox.
Any fan of army stew (otherwise known as budae jjigae) would know that instant noodles are essential to the dish. And you don't have to visit a Korean restaurant to enjoy it, either. If you want to know how to do it the right way though (there's a method to layering the ingredients!), check out the recipe via the link below:
For a fuss-free, one-pot meal for parties and potlucks, consider this curried beef noodle dish that's packed with flavour.
Combine instant noodles with last night's leftover cabbage or roast chicken for a simply, yummy, and no-waste meal.
This article was originally published on Feb 12, 2020 and updated on Jan 4, 2024.