Japanese instant noodles are not limited to the small packet of ramen served with powdered broth. This category also includes precooked udon and yakisoba, non-fried ramen, and multi-serving packs supplied with their seasonings.
They all make it possible to prepare a hot dish quickly, but their textures and preparation methods differ.
For ramen served in soup, the noodles are generally cooked in water before the powdered seasoning is added, either during cooking or just afterwards. Aromatic oils and liquid seasonings are usually added at the end.
Precooked noodles require even less time. Depending on the product, they can be reheated directly in broth, in a frying pan or in the microwave. An egg, spring onion, wakame, sesame or a few vegetables can then be added.
Yakisoba are prepared without broth. They are usually stir-fried with a small amount of water, or briefly cooked and then thoroughly drained. The sauce is added afterwards so that it coats the noodles without being diluted.
For a format prepared directly in its container, browse our Japanese cup noodles. To choose a separate soup base, see our tsuyu and noodle broths.
Very spicy ramyeon, Buldak noodles and kimchi-flavoured recipes are grouped separately with our Korean noodles.
