These days, ramen bars and eateries are opening up all over the world. If you’ve ever eaten ramen, you could still vividly recall how it spoke to your soul. You might be wondering how to prepare these delicious noodle soups at home as a consequence. What are some of the top noodles to utilize for a ramen meal, then?
Although soba, somen, and udon are the most popular ramen noodles, it all comes down to preference. Ramen noodles can only be called “ramen” when they are made using alkaline water, sometimes referred to as “kansui.” The texture of the noodles might be thin and crispy or thick and chewy, depending on the water ratio.
If you are unfamiliar with ramen, it is always helpful to understand what it is, how it differs from other varieties of ramen, and where it came from. Understanding all of that will enable you to select the best noodles from the list of excellent noodle options I’ll provide you. So, What noodles to use for ramen? And Which noodles work best for making ramen?
Ramen: What Is It?
Although ramen has come to be associated with Japanese food, the dish really originated as Chinese wheat noodles. Since it’s affordable and filling, it’s one of those exceptional dishes that anybody can enjoy.
Ramen is a thick broth-based Japanese noodle soup dish prepared with Chinese-style wheat or egg noodles, cooked slices of pork, fresh scallions, and an egg that is slightly stiffer than soft-boiled.
Vietnamese pho, on the other hand, uses beef rather than pig, rice noodles, and a milder broth. There are endless versions, and fresh interpretations frequently emerge depending on the region of Japan you’re in.
American ramen restaurants typically divide their bowls into categories based on the flavoring or sauce that is added to the base broth.
Shio, or salt, is a lighter kind that accentuates the broth, while miso, or fermented soybean paste, is usually added in vegetarian-style ramen to provide additional umami. Shoyu, or soy sauce, is used in more powerful, frequently spicy ramen.
Tonkatsu ramen, a pork bone-based soup rich in flavors and delicately thickened, is also offered on the menu. If you’ve never had ramen before, tonkatsu is the perfect place to start.
What Are Ramen Noodles?
Ramen noodles are made by mixing alkaline water, salt, and wheat flour. The amount of protein in the wheat flour used to make ramen is surprising. It typically ranges from 10 to 13 percent, depending on the manufacturer.
The use of kansui must be what sets ramen noodles apart from other types of noodle meals. Kansui, sometimes referred to as lye water or alkaline water, is made up of potassium and sodium carbonates.
It is the key ingredient for making the ramen noodle dough. Without kansui, the noodles cannot be referred to as ramen. The kansui is in charge of providing the noodles a glossy finish and a gentle yellow tint.
What noodles to use for ramen? – The Best Noodles To Make Ramen
The basic components of ramen noodles are wheat flour, salt, water, and kansui, an alkaline mineral water that contains sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate.
Kansui is primarily responsible for the ramen noodles’ yellow color and firm texture, however some people now substitute eggs for it to get the similar effect.
Another frequently asked is if ramen can be consumed without cooking. While though instant ramen may be consumed uncooked, I personally believe that a properly cooked bowl of ramen tastes far superior.
What ideal brands you should think about is covered in the next section. You should look up these names if you are unfamiliar with this kind of noodle. You’ll adore their items, I bet.
Hakubaku Organic Somen Japanese Noodles
The Kokumotsu corporation owns the brand name Hakubaku. The Japanese word “Hakubaku” means “white barley.” The company’s aim is to make your meal more valuable by using their wholesome and delicious grain-based goods.
Because it contains three noodles in one container, this noodle pack provides the most value for the money. Hakubaku Organic Soba, Hakubaku Organic Somen, and Hakubaku Organic Udon are all included.
This noodle package appeals to me because of the enormous number of choices it offers. You will be given soba, somen, and udon noodles as previously mentioned. By providing you with those options, we effectively provide you the ideal chance to consider your options and establish your preferences.
As you may remember, there are several ways to prepare different kinds of ramen noodles. It suggests that by buying this noodle box, you’re also putting yourself to the test by trying many ramen variations.
But if you’ve never had ramen before, this noodle box is a great place to start.
Nissin
The Japanese corporation Nissin Food is known for its easy meals and instant noodles. Because to their enormous popularity in the USA, you can readily locate them in many stores. Its marketplaces in other nations, like Brazil, China, Hong Kong, and others, are equally noteworthy.
Maruchan
A broad variety of noodle types, including cup noodles and instant ramen noodles, are available under this Japanese-American brand name. Maruchan was founded in Japan in 1953 and expanded to the United States in 1972. Nowadays, Maruchan is among the leading businesses in this sector because to its high-caliber goods.
Lotus Foods Millet & Brown Rice Ramen Noodles
California-based Lotus Foods has been in business since 1995. They focus on organic goods like rice (which comes in a wide variety) and rice noodles. These goods enhance both the wellbeing of the environment and the human diet.
The question of “How can I pick the finest noodles for me?” arises now that we have discussed the history of ramen noodles. Like many other culinary endeavors, selecting the best ramen noodles comes down to personal preference.
You must thus research all of your options. Consider choosing the fresh noodle option, which entails purchasing your noodles straight from a farmer’s market.
If this isn’t an option, you should be aware that there are many of great ramen noodle brands that you can buy online. Without a doubt, these noodles are the greatest substitute. Here are the top five:
Sukina Buckwheat Soba Noodles
These Sukina noodles are ideal if you want to have a genuine and delicious ramen experience in the convenience of your own home. They are perfect for any ramen dish because of their rich, silky, and thick texture.
They not only give your soup a unique flavor, but they’re also easy to use. It will be difficult to find buckwheat noodles that match them. I strongly suggest that you try these noodles when you have the chance.
King Soba Organic Buckwheat Ramen Noodles
Next is the Organic Buckwheat Ramen from King Soba. If you’re looking for something easy, flavorful, and quick to prepare, this noodle is perfect. Ramen noodles made from King Soba have no frills and are easy to prepare.
By concentrating on its simplicity, King Soba has provided us with a very versatile ramen component. Every home cook would tell you that flexibility thrives when things are kept simple.
These noodles are among our favorites because they don’t intentionally offend your taste buds and work well with numerous broth recipes. They thus provide the best opportunity to learn how to cook ramen from scratch.
A-SHA Tainan Vegetarian Ramen Noodles
The most ramen-like texture may be found in these thinner noodles. They swell up quite a bit, are more healthier, and taste just like the noodles from your local grocer (nothing beats fresh, though, just saying).
You don’t get that stinging, acidic sensation when you swallow. The noodles are a good length, have the perfect texture, and each box comes with a variety of delectable flavor packets. Each serving size has its own sauce packet, and they are available in spicy and moderate variations.
Each huge bag contains around 5–6 individual-sized portions, and additional sauce from your home kitchen may be added as desired (I occasionally add Soy Vay spicy sauce to A-SHAs since I prefer them really hot).
How To Choose The Best Noodles For Your Homemade Ramen
Both broth and noodles are given for you if you’re attempting to make ideal instant ramen from a packet. Yet choosing the right noodles might be difficult if you’re making your own ramen from scratch. The size of your noodle might define the type of food you’re creating with complex recipes like noodle soups: A bowl of broth may be transformed into robust udon by adding thick noodles, or an ultra-thin noodle will change your ramen into a pho soup dish. It might be challenging to find the ideal balance between a mouthful that is satisfying and a bowl of noodles that is overflowing with noodles, especially if a top ramen restaurant is not conveniently located nearby.
Thankfully, Shalom Japan co-owners and chefs Aaron Israel and Sawako Okochi, co-authors of the upcoming cookbook “Love Japan,” have advice. Israel and Okochi encourage home chefs to consider noodles as “a vehicle for the broth” while choosing the ideal noodle for their soup (via Real Simple). Use a thicker noodle if your soup is more substantial. Conversely, serve thinner noodles with thinner broths. How can I tell which is which?
Final verdicts
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make ramen, then it’s certainly worth considering the various types of noodles to use. Udon noodles are thicker and chewier in texture, while soba has a more earthy taste. Ramen noodles are another option if you’re feeling adventurous. Each offers its own unique flavor that can enhance any ramen dish. Despite differences in cooking time and preparation, all three can be used to create the perfect bowl of ramen. Ultimately, the type of noodle you choose will depend on your taste preference and what you need for each specific recipe. In any case, experimenting with different kinds of noodles is sure to add a little something special to your next bowl of ramen!
In conclusion, there are many types of noodles that can be used to create a delicious ramen. Depending on the type you choose from soba, udon, somen and even Shanghai-style noodles, you can find the perfect noodle for your taste preferences. Each type has its own unique texture and flavor that enhances the overall flavor of ramen. With careful consideration into the dish you plan to create, you can choose the right kind of noodles for your ramen. Furthermore, should you want to talk further with regards to this topic or would like further information on what noodles work best with different types of dishes, feel free to contact us at Angelo’s Burgers. We at Ramen Planet can help guide your decision making process and answer any questions or concerns.