Ramen is a Japanese dish made of wheat noodles. Ramen noodles are eaten with a spicy broth, to which meats and vegetables are often added. Preparing fresh ramen noodles is considered an art in Japan and takes time and skill.
Luckily, for those who don’t have culinary skills, ramen noodles are available in an instant form; you can find the instant variety in most food stores. Indulging in ramen noodles is not bad, whether it’s a big bowl packed with meat and vegetables at a restaurant or instant ramen at home as long as you know your limitation. You should be aware of the ramen dish’s high levels of calories, sodium and fat.
So, how to cook healthy ramen noodle dish at home? Keep reading.
You can prepare ramen without the seasoning packet to get a healthier result. The calories in ramen noodles can be decreased by avoiding common ramen ingredients high in fat, such as pork belly. For starters, instead of refined white flour noodles, you can try brown rice ramen noodles for more fiber.
Next, decrease the sodium level of your ramen noodles by ditching the flavor packets that come with instant ramen, or select the low-sodium versions. Ramen will be free of MSG or other doubtful preservatives without the seasoning packet. You can remove any extra salt or preservatives by making your own broth at home filled with herbs and spices. You can mix miso paste with soy sauce and add delicious additions such as garlic, ginger, chili oil and spices to make your own broth.
By packing in vegetables, you can make your bowl of ramen more nutrient-dense. Bok choy, broccoli, kale, mushrooms, and carrots are all excellent vegetable choices for ramen soup with high levels of vitamins. Broccoli has plenty of fiber, calcium, potassium, magnesium and zinc, for example.
Finally, make a properly filling meal of ramen by adding some protein. Plant-based proteins, such as tofu, are excellent and healthy additions to ramen noodles. You can also add lean meats, such as chicken, or a soft-boiled egg.
