Best Instant Noodles Toppings: Ramen Hacks & Upgrades

Instant noodles have been a much-loved student staple for decades, providing a quick, tasty meal to anyone too busy or uninspired to cook anything more elaborate. A no-fuss snack or dinner can be just what you want sometimes, but packet noodles and instant ramen have the potential to be so much more!

Ramen packs really come into their own when you load them up with tasty toppings and add-ons, taking the sometimes basic dish to a whole new level.

What to Add to Instant Ramen

Like the noodles themselves, lots of the best ramen toppings are pretty low effort, with plenty of ways to get creative and customise your ultimate ramen feast.

Eggs

Whether you prefer soft-boiled, hard-boiled, fried or poached, eggs are a classic ramen feature, great for bringing bulk and a bit of protein to your noodles.

For true decadence and deliciousness, make an ajitsuke tamago, or ramen egg – these are soft-boiled eggs that have been boiled and marinated in soy sauce and mirin overnight, resulting in an umami, jammy treat.

Seaweed

Seaweed snacks and nori sheets are great for adding a bit of texture to your ramen dishes as well as a moreish, salty, umami flavour. You can get plain sheets or flavoured options with different seasonings for an extra boost.

Pak Choi

Fresh leafy greens like pak choi or nappa cabbage are another fantastic way to bulk up noodles and up the nutrients, not to mention adding a great contrast to the rich flavours of the sauce and broth.

Bean Sprouts

Contrasting textures also add to the overall quality and depth of the dish, taking your ramen up a notch. Bean sprouts are a basic yet effective way to add some delicious crunch while getting your veggie content.

Sweetcorn

Sweetcorn can add an element of sweetness and colour to your ramen. It pairs especially well with miso flavours and chicken, helping you recreate a classic chicken noodle soup vibe. Just chuck some frozen sweetcorn in with your noodles while they’re cooking and you’ve instantly elevated them.

Mushrooms

Dehydrated mushrooms are a great thing to keep in the cup for when you want to embrace unique textures and earthy flavours. Just soak them in water to rehydrate them and add them on top of ramen for instant elevation. Shiitake mushrooms are particularly good options due to their rich umami flavour and meaty texture.

Spring Onions

An essential garnish, spring onions are great for adding a bit of verdant freshness to your noodles. Just sprinkle a small handful over your ramen to help bring it to life.

Kimchi

Bursting with sweet, tangy, spicy flavours, kimchi is ideal for giving instant noodles an extra kick. The Korean side dish is made from fermented cabbage and spicy seasonings, providing unique depths of flavour.

Furikake

This Japanese seasoning is often used with rice, but it’s just as tasty when enjoyed with ramen. Made from dried seaweed, fish flakes and sesame seeds, furikake will give your noodles a hit of salty, savoury seafood flavour.

Crispy Fried Onions

If you love a bit of extra crunch to pair with the softness of the noodles, reach for crispy fried onions, which will also provide that ultimate sweet-savoury, toasty flavour.

Toasted Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are another classic garnish, acting as a simple finishing touch to pull all your ingredients together. Toss a handful over your noodles once you’ve assembled your other toppings for the iconic ramen look.

Fish Cakes

Narutomaki is a type of Japanese fish cake with a widely recognised pink spiral running through it. Slices of the fish cake are often enjoyed with ramen as they add a new texture and mild umami taste.

Crab Sticks

In a similar vein, crab sticks are another easy addition if you’re a lover of seafood. They can be especially good toppings if your packet noodles are seafood flavoured, contributing to a richer taste.

Deep Fried Tofu

Deep fried tofu is a real treat, bringing an unbeatable combination of delightful textures and sweet-savoury notes. Plus, if you don’t eat meat, tofu is a brilliant protein source and a tasty way to bulk out noodle dishes.

Frozen Dumplings

Frozen dumplings and gyoza are super convenient and will help you instantly elevate a range of dishes. Choose dumplings that pair well with the flavour of your ramen broth for a well-balanced dish. While your noodles are boiling, add a few dumplings or potstickers to cook alongside them to make things nice and simple.

Cheese

Cheese is becoming an incredibly popular instant noodle topping, with lots of people swearing by incorporating a slice or two of cheese to give basic noodle packs a creamy, tangy richness.

Chinese Sausage

Chinese sausages and other cured meats are another great secret weapon for your pantry. Unopened, they will keep for several months, waiting for when your ramen cravings hit. The delicacy will add a lovely flavour and complexity to your noodles, instantly making it a five-star dish.

Pork Belly Slices

Chashu pork is a ramen staple. The melt-in-the-mouth pork belly slices add something super special to your meal. If you want to turn your instant noodles into a proper, authentic ramen dish, this is the way to do it.

Hot Pot Meats

If you don’t want the hassle of preparing a separate meat dish like chashu pork but want a similar experience, opt for thinly sliced hot pot meats. These will cook quickly and add a nice protein boost to your noodles.

Shredded Chicken

Any leftover chicken after a roast will work wonders on your instant noodles. Chicken is good at soaking up the flavours of your broth and sauces. It’s also often a universal crowd-pleaser, perfect for if you’re sharing a meal with friends.

Soy Sauce

If you add nothing else, at least add soy sauce to easily elevate noodles. A dash will provide an instant hit of richness and classic umami flavour.

Sesame Oil

A drizzle of sesame oil to finish off your noodles provides a lovely fragrance, giving the dish a sweet, nutty aroma.

Hoisin Sauce

If the seasoning packet provided with your instant noodles isn’t quite cutting it in terms of flavour and sauciness, a little bit of hoisin will go a long way, offering new levels of sweetness and depth.

Miso Paste

The ultimate umami ingredient, miso paste, will help you bring richer, more authentic flavours to your noodle broth. Just add a small spoonful when the noodles are boiling for instant miso ramen.

Crispy Chilli Oil

To give your ramen a spicy kick, the first thing you reach for should be crispy chilli oil. The beloved condiment from Lao Gan Ma adds a mouthwatering heat that can’t be beaten.

Sriracha

Another option to spice up your ramen is sriracha, which will add a bit of heat as well as a drizzle of sweetness. Flying Goose sriracha comes in an array of flavours, including extra garlic, yuzu, ginger, coconut and green chilli.

Looking for more ramen inspiration? Check out our full range of Japanese instant noodles as well as the latest seasonal offers to get your hands on a range of exciting deals and Asian products.