Instant ramen and boxed macaroni and cheese may be known as a dorm-life specials, but I'm unashamed to admit they've been a staple pantry ingredient most of my life—and to this day. One of my favorite aisles in my local Asian grocery store is the ramen aisle, which continues to expand with more flavors and varieties. While I'm partial to classic chicken ramen, I was recently introduced to cheesy ramen at the Fancy Food Show in New York City. Upon leaving, I immediately scooped up some cheesy ramen from the local H Mart and have been hooked ever since.
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What Is Cheesy Ramen?
It depends on where you're getting it, but cheesy ramen is basically cooked ramen noodles with cheese added. This could be a broth-based bowl of ramen with the packets included and some cheese melted on top, or it could be a stir-fry style noodle with a cheesy sauce similar to macaroni and cheese. They're both great options, but I'm partial to the latter style.
How to Make Cheesy Ramen
South Koreans are known for adding a slice of American cheese to their ramen. This can be any ramen you make from a cup or packet once it's cooked. It may sound a bit odd, but I can vouch that it's indeed very good! There have been viral videos from creators like @thegoldenbalance that mixed instant ramen noodle seasonings, some of the pasta water, and shredded cheese before adding in the hot cooked noodles.
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Where to Buy Cheesy Ramen
If you really want a pantry shortcut, I highly recommend looking for ramen with cheese in the name at your local Asian market or larger grocery stores. This could be a meaty one like Buldak's Cheese Hot Chicken or my personal favorite (as previously mentioned from my visit to the Fancy Food Show), OTOKI Cheesy Ramen in the cheddar and mascarpone flavor.
All you have to do is boil the noodles, save a bit of the water, and combine it with the cheesy packet that is perfectly salty, cheesy, and creamy. There are some seasonings in it already, but I like to add a small tab of butter and some sriracha hot sauce or gochugaru chili flakes for heat.
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