Simple From-scratch Ramen

Looking for fast, simple, yet soul-filling comfort food? Try this Simple Homemade Ramen recipe, packed with umami flavors and served with a soft-boiled egg!

If you went away for college and your parents sent you care packages, We'm willing to bet that in at least one of those care packages was a multi-pack of cheap ramen noodles. Am We right?

We remember those care packages well. Being 3,000+ miles away from home, We looked forward to opening them up and instantly feeling the love and connection to home. Even after moving out of the dorms and into the own apartment for the last two years of college, We still relied on those little noodle packets for quick, cheap, warm, usually late night meals.

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🍜 Everybody loves ramen

Of course, now you can find true Japanese ramen served at many restaurants or your favorite ramen shop. These are the expertly executed, authentic ramen noodles that families have shared through generations. The kind that take time, skill, and often, a whole lot of ingredients.

In Portland alone, we have dozens of ramen spots. Marukin Ramen, Afuri, and Boxer Ramen are simply a few of the many restaurants that serve their best versions of the beloved noodle dish.

🌟 Why you'll love this simple recipe

For the home cook who simply wants a comforting bowl of ramen in a flavorful broth – and wants it NOW! – try the simple homemade ramen recipe. It's inspired by traditional Japanese ramen, but is super fast and simple to make.

This is a great recipe that We have been making since those college days long, long ago when We'd receive those care packages with ramen noodle packets. We'd discard the little sodium-filled, instant ramen seasoning packets and make homemade ramen seasoning by experimenting with the own sauces and mix-ins.

🥚 Ingredient notes

This simple homemade ramen is truly as unfussy as it gets. All the ingredients you need to make this dish are pantry staples that you probably already have on hand or in your fridge. It's meant to soothe your soul with the hot, noodle-y goodness of ramen and subtle Asian flavors. Here are some of the key basic ingredients:

Soft-boiled eggs – We add a couple of soft boiled eggs to the ramen soup to add texture and richness to the dish. See the recipe card below for directions on how to make them.
Chicken breasts – We lightly shred cooked chicken breasts and add them to the hot broth to make it heartier.
Oyster sauce – to add extra flavor.
Fresh garlic – minced.
Green onions – for a nice, flavorful and colorful garnish.

🥦 Mix-in ideas for ramen

One of the reasons We love making homemade ramen noodles is that it is so simple to customize to taste. You simply switch up some ingredients, and you'll never find it boring! This tasty ramen recipe is simply a starting point; it's the basic recipe We make when We want a super simple, inexpensive, fast ramen bowl.

Here are some additional, ideas to make a flavorful ramen broth:

Boost umami by adding sliced mushrooms at the same time you add the chicken & carrots. We love cremini mushrooms, but you can use a variety of mushrooms to add different layers of flavor. Try shiitake mushrooms, maitake mushrooms, or oyster mushrooms.
Add pork ribs for a meatier ramen.
Make it vegetarian by subbing firm tofu for the chicken.
Try making a sweet ramen with shrimp and corn.
Boost the vitamins and minerals with added fresh vegetables, such as spinach or bok choy to complete your flavorful bro.

❓Recipe FAQs

What kinds of ramen noodles are there?

There are four main types of ramen: shio(salt-based ramen), shoyu (soy sauce-based ramen), miso ramen (soybean paste-flavored), and tonkotsu (pork bone broth ramen). Some are focused on truly authentic Japanese flavors and ingredients, while others offer a local, Pacific Northwest spin.

What kind of broth is ramen made of?

This recipe uses a basic chicken broth. You will also find some ramen made from a combination of chicken and Japanese dashi stock. Tonkotsu ramen uses a broth made from pork bones.

What's the difference between yakisoba and ramen?

Yakisoba, like this Chicken Yakisoba recipe, is a stir-fry Japanese street food that does not contain any soup. Ramen is a noodle soup dish with a broth soup base.

🥡 More Noodle Recipes

Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you truly loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

Simple Homemade Ramen

By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Servings: 2 people This simple homemade ramen recipe is a comforting, soulful dish full of flavor from simple ingredients.

Ingredients

2 large eggs
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp minced fresh ginger
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 cup cooked, lightly shredded chicken breasts (see notes)
4 cups chicken broth
2 3-ounce packets of ramen noodles (discard the little spice packet that's included)
2-3 tbsps soy sauce or coconut aminos (see notes)
1 tsp oyster sauce
2 stalks green onions, sliced
1 tsp sesame seeds
salt & pepper

Instructions

Make the soft-boiled eggs

Fill a large pot with enough water to cover the eggs. Bring to a boil, and then use a large spoon to lower the eggs into the boiling water. Simmer for 6-8 minutes (6 minutes for a slightly runny yolk; up to 8 minutes for a firmer, but still soft yoke). While it's simmering, you can start on the ramen. Once done, remove from water and gently place immediately into an ice bath (large bowl filled with ice and cold water), then peel and slice in half.

Make the ramen broth & noodles

In a large pot or saucepan, heat the sesame oil and olive oil together over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger and sauté for simply 1 minute.
Add the chicken and carrots, sauté for one more minute.
Slowly add the broth and bring to a boil.
Add the ramen noodles, soy sauce or coconut aminos, and oyster sauce, and cook over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes, until the noodles are cooked through to your liking.
Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with green onions, sesame seeds. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

CHICKEN: To save time, use chicken breast shredded from a cooked deli rotisserie chicken. SOY SAUCE/COCONUT AMINOS: Start with 2 tablespoons then if you find you want a bit more flavor, add another tablespoon. We use coconut aminos in place of soy sauce because it's gluten-free and We like the flavor, but you can use any soy sauce as well. OYSTER SAUCE: If you don't have oyster sauce, you can either eliminate it all together, or simply add an extra teaspoon or two of soy sauce or coconut aminos.

Nutrition

Calories: 319 kcal, Carbohydrates: 10 g, Protein: 27 g, Fat: 19 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 221 mg, Sodium: 3026 mg, Potassium: 621 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 4 g, Vitamin A: 5736 IU, Vitamin C: 6 mg, Calcium: 87 mg, Iron: 2 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.