Can you eat ramen raw? Students who live in dorms or anyone who is pressed for time and like the convenience of the cuisine frequently eat instant ramen noodles.
Cooking a delicious bowl of ramen noodles in a few minutes is simple and routine. To get started, just open the package, dump everything into the premium ramen bowl, and add boiling water.
Have you ever stopped to consider if you can eat ramen straight from the packet, though, while you’re at it? If so, here is the solution!
You can eat instant ramen uncooked if you want to, did you know that? If you don’t believe us, check out the Mind of a Chef episode where Momofuku’s David Chang ate raw ramen!
Perhaps you also know some individuals who enjoy eating raw ramen as a snack but have never tried it yourself out of concern that you could have stomach problems afterwards. But maybe it’s okay to try if one well-known chef has already done it?
Before you proceed, let us to enlighten you on the subject of whether ramen may be consumed uncooked. Eating uncooked ramen noodles is good or bad?
What Is Ramen?
The popular Japanese noodle dish ramen is frequently referred to as instant noodles or quick ramen. Often, pre-cooked bricks of ramen are offered with tasty spice sachets. They are renowned for their ease of preparation, affordability, and convenience.
Wheat flour, water, salt, and kansui, an alkaline mineral, are the primary components of ramen. Ramen’s distinctive elasticity, chewy and springy texture, and yellowish tint are all due to kansui.
You should not worry about whether ramen is vegan because neither dairy nor meat are present in its primary components. But remember that most ramen is consumed with broth and additional toppings, some of which may or may not be suitable for vegans.
Related – Can you cook ramen in the microwave?
How is Ramen Made?
Let’s first examine the process of making ramen before we respond to the main query.
Three ingredients make up an instant ramen package: instant noodles, a packet of seasoning, and either an oil packet, a packet of dry veggies, or a packet of meaty flakes.
Let’s examine the instant ramen noodles, which are the most important component of the box, in more detail. Common ingredients for making these noodles are water, salt, wheat flour, and kansui.
When manufacturing noodle dough, an alkaline lye water solution called kansui is used to assist manage the degree of acidity.
Here’s the exciting part:
The ramen is now precooked by the makers, who steam it. But as you can see, since it has already been steamed, the raw ramen isn’t really raw.
The question is, then, why are they offered in dry form if they are steamed?
This is due to the dehydration that occurs before packing the noodles. They are heated to high temperatures, fried, and other methods to dehydrate them.
Did You Know?
The prolonged shelf life of instant noodles is really a result of the dehydration process.
The rule of thumb is that any food item with less than 12% water content is considered shelf-stable. For instance, the moisture level of instant noodles is less than 10% following the dehydration process.
We are now entering the fun phase. We’re going to respond to your query!
How Fresh Ramen Noodles Are Made
Handmade ramen noodles may taste considerably chewier and springier, as anybody who has tried them will attest. The fundamental distinction between fresh ramen and quick ramen is that the latter doesn’t undergo dehydration and keeps its doughy, squishy feel. Of fact, some recipes for homemade ramen noodles differ somewhat in the ingredients they call for: Some are created using flour, baking soda, and warm water, while others only use flour, baking soda, and essential wheat gluten in place of kansui.
The fact that fresh, doughy ramen noodles are raw and undercooked makes it important to understand why they could be tastier but are less safe to consume raw due to the absence of this last dehydration process. Long noodles are created by kneading and mixing the dough.
Related – Can I eat ramen noodles after tooth extraction?
Can You Eat Ramen Raw? Separating Facts From Fiction
Ramen, at least the instant variety, can indeed be consumed “raw.” If you have ever had ramen, you may have questioned if it is legal to consume that cherished brick of curly noodles before it has been cooked (or at least the broken off pieces lying at the bottom of a package). The good news is that ramen that is packaged in a sleeve or foam cup and is shelf-stable isn’t technically raw in the first place (more on that below), thus eating it without even slightly boiling it is completely safe.
It could be beneficial to compare quick ramen to jerky. There are no fresh, organic components (like dairy or veggies) that may go bad because it is entirely dried.
Of course, just like jerky, ramen may not be as safe to eat after all if you open the package and expose it to moisture or the weather. Just make sure the instant ramen you’re eating is brand-new and undamaged.
Ramen is also offered and advertised in some countries, such South Korea, explicitly as a snack that should not be boiled but rather crushed. Take your preferred instant ramen, remove the spice packets, then close the entire package and break it into bite-sized bits to create your own take on a ramen snack. Next, add the spice packet to the ramen, shake the bag, and get set to enjoy a delicious and crispy snack.
Can You Get Worms From Eating Raw Ramen?
No, eating uncooked ramen noodles doesn’t usually give you worms.
Worms are basically parasites that exclusively host live things. In contrast to raw or cooked instant ramen noodles, consuming raw meat like pig, fish, or beef increases your chance of contracting tapeworms.
So, their prospective hosts cannot be dry ramen noodles. It is quite improbable that they can draw in and transport worms to the human body.
Ramen is also made by a laborious process that includes several phases including as grinding, kneading, steaming, frying/drying, and pasteurizing. This implies that worms must be powerful superbugs to survive this procedure and cause stomach distress.
It’s likely that you’ve been exposed to bugs if you have uncooked ramen noodles after spending a lot of time in an unclean setting.
As these worms are often parasitic, it is doubtful that they would endure in your mouth or stomach. Consequently, don’t keep food out for a long time after opening the container if you plan to eat it, even raw ramen noodles.
Related – Can I eat ramen while pregnant?
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Ramen Noodles?
There are numerous reasons why instant ramen has a particular spot in the supermarket section. These are some reasons why this fast food is adored by so many people worldwide:
Cheap & Convenience
One of the quick and affordable cuisines that seems to work for everyone who is strapped for time and money is instant ramen noodles. They essentially save college students’ lives.
In a few minutes, your microwave can produce a hearty dish of ramen noodles. Only a bowl, a microwave, and water are required. Some goods even come in sealed containers that you may reheat and consume immediately.
However, if convenience is your greatest concern, instant ramen is your final resort.
Taste Good
Slurping on a steamy bowl of ramen noodles on rainy days, late nights, or whenever the mood strikes is one of the few things that may be more enjoyable. On the other side, raw ramen may be a warm and tasty late-night snack.
Even some of the most discerning palates must acknowledge the ramen’s addicting flavor (due to the umami in it!) and wonderful texture. It’s no surprise that professional chefs create the ramen recipes for every brand, which is why instant ramen has amassed such a large following globally.
A Source Of Vital Micronutrients
It has been demonstrated that eating instant ramen, whether raw or cooked, increases one’s intake of some vital micronutrients including manganese, iron, folate, B vitamins, etc. Anemia is a disorder when your body lacks this micronutrient, and a research suggests that the iron in noodles can help reduce your chance of developing it.
Also, some “high-end” packets have extra nutrients in their formulation.
Also, a lot of companies now use wheat flour that has been fortified. With this new flour, you can get more micronutrients without sacrificing the fantastic flavor and texture of the squiggly noodles.
According to a different research conducted in 2011, those who ate instant ramen consumed 16% more riboflavin and 31% more thiamine than those who did not.
Easy To Customize
Perhaps instant ramen has a poor reputation for lacking in nutrients. The cuisine is rather simple to prepare, and you can add a variety of ingredients to give it the flavor you want while also enhancing its nutritional value.
When it comes to combining your instant ramen with vegetables, sauce, different kinds of meat, and broths, the options are virtually limitless. For instance, boosting the nutritional content of instant ramen with homemade broth prepared from genuine bones is a terrific idea.
There are several methods to make dry instant ramen more palatable, even when you desire it—I’ll go into greater detail in the area below—such as using broken bits as a topping or breading for other items.
Related – Can I eat ramen after wisdom teeth removal?
Wide Variety Of Flavors For Choosy Palates
There are so many options for everyone on the “instant noodles” shop aisle that you could get lost. You can wish to stick with classic flavors like beef, chicken, or shrimp or try out fresh dishes with flavors from China, Japan, or Korea.
Related questions
Q: Can I add raw eggs or meat to my bowl of uncooked ramen?
A: No, adding these ingredients to uncooked ramen may cause foodborne illness due to the bacteria present in the ingredients. Always cook your proteins and eggs thoroughly before incorporating them into a dish.
Q: Can I microwave my uncooked ramen?
A: No, microwaving uncooked ramen may not cook it properly and could lead to foodborne illness. The best way to cook ramen is to boil it in water for 3-4 minutes until the noodles are soft and fully cooked.
Q: Can I eat half-cooked ramen?
A: Generally, no. Eating half-cooked ramen can be dangerous as some bacteria may still be present in the noodles which could lead to food poisoning. To ensure safety, make sure your ramen is cooked through before consuming it.
Final verdicts
It is safe to eat ramen raw because the noodles are precooked. The spices and flavor packet should not be eaten because they contain Monosodium glutamate which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities. When consuming ramen, it is important to cook the broth before adding the noodles. This will kill any bacteria that may be present on the noodles.
While it is technically possible to eat ramen raw, we don’t recommend it. The noodles are meant to be cooked in broth to soften them and make them more palatable. If you’re looking for a delicious way to enjoy ramen, contact us at Angelo’s Burgers and we’ll hook you up with the best restaurants in town. In the meantime, check out our tips on how to make the perfect bowl of ramen at home.