The Art of Cooking Korean Instant Ramen (Ramyun)
Cooking Korean instant ramen (Ramyun) is simple, but achieving the perfect balance of chewy noodles, rich broth, and optimal flavor requires precision and a few proven techniques.
You'll need
Shin Ramyun OriginalKR · Nongshim
Jin Ramen MildKR · Otoki
Samyang RamyeonKR · Samyang
Snack RamenKR · Otoki
Squid ChampongKR · Nongshim
- 1. 1 packet of instant ramen from the above (Noodles, Powder Soup/Sachet, Vegetable Flakes/Garnish Sachet)
- 2. Water: 17~18.5 oz/500~550 mL (approx. 2 to 2¼ cups or one standard 17 oz/500 mL water bottle)
- 3. Pot: A small-to-medium pot (uncovered while cooking)
Method
- 1
Boil the Water:
Add 17~18.5 oz/500~550 mL of water to a pot and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat.
Tip: Doubling or tripling the water directly for multiple packets results in a bland broth ("Hangang Ramyun" / watery ramen). Because less proportional water evaporates as the total volume increases, you should adjust the water accordingly:
1 Packet: 18.5 oz/550 mL
2 Packets: ~ 30 oz/890 mL
3 Packets: ~ 42 oz/1,240 mL
4 Packets: ~ 52 oz/1,540 mL
- 2
Add Ingredients:
Once the water reaches a boil, add the noodles, soup powder, and vegetable flakes altogether.Safety Tip: Adding powder soup to boiling water can cause sudden bubbling (boil-over). To prevent hot splashes, add the noodles first or pour the powder gently.
- 3
Cook Uncovered for 3.5 to 4.5 Minutes:
Leave the pot uncovered. Covering the pot prevents water evaporation (making the broth watery) and keeps the noodles submerged in steam/soup, causing them to get soggy faster.
- 4
Serve & Enjoy:
Turn off the heat, stir well to blend the broth, and eat straight from the pot or serve in a bowl.
A. Aromatics & Vegetable Flakes First
For ramen containing hard dried vegetables (like dried mushrooms or carrots), add the dried vegetable flake sachet before the water boils (into cold water). This allows the dehydrated vegetables to rehydrate fully and releases a deeper vegetable base into the broth.
B. Preserving Soup Aroma
Powdered broth contains delicate aromatic compounds. Avoid boiling the soup powder for excessively long periods. For high-end or aromatic ramen, adding flavor oils or secondary seasonings right after turning off the heat preserves maximum flavor.
C. Noodle Texture (Chewiness)
While lifting noodles repeatedly with tongs into the air is a common myth believed to create springier noodles, testing shows it simply lowers the cooking temperature slightly. If you prefer firmer, chewier noodles ("Al Dente"), simply reduce the total cooking time by 30 to 45 seconds.