How to Cook Instant Noodles

Instant noodles are a quick and simple dish, ideal for those with busy schedules or college students juggling homework. They are inexpensive but not very nutritious. Some people find the flavor bland, while others think the noodles are too soft. Luckily, there are several tricks to prepare the perfect bowl of instant noodles. In addition to the seasoning packet, you can add various herbs and toppings. With a bit of creativity, you can create a tastier and more nutritious meal.

Boil the water. Pour 2.5 cups (590 ml) of water into a pot. Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil over high heat.

Stir the seasoning into the water. Open the seasoning packet that comes with the noodles. Add the seasoning to the boiling water and stir well.

Simmer the broth for 1 minute. The seasoning will dissolve completely, and the broth will be hot enough for the next step.

Add the noodles to the pot. Gently submerge the noodles into the boiling water using chopsticks or a wooden spoon. You may need to hold the noodle block for a moment. Do not break the noodle block or stir the noodles. The noodles will naturally separate.

• You can also cook the noodles in a separate pot of boiling water.

Nấu mì trong khoảng 2 phút. Khi các sợi mì bắt đầu tách ra, dùng đũa hoặc kẹp nhấc chúng ra khỏi nồi nước. Bạn cũng có thể đổ nước dùng vào bát qua muôi lọc để giữ lại mì.

Quạt mì tôm. Việc này sẽ giúp mì ngừng chín thêm, tránh cho mì bị quá mềm hay ướt. Bạn có thể dùng quạt tay, quạt máy nhỏ, thậm chí là một miếng bìa cứng hay kẹp tài liệu.

• Một cách khác là xả nước lạnh lên mì tôm.

Cho mì vào nước dùng. Tới lúc này, bạn có thể thêm những món ăn kèm ngon miệng như trứng, thịt hay rau.

• Một số đồ ăn kèm chỉ nên cho vào bát mì trong phút cuối, sau khi bạn đã đổ mì tôm ra bát.

Dọn mì ra bát. Đổ mì tôm vào bát lớn sâu lòng. Nếu bạn thả trứng chần hay trứng rán vào nồi, hãy múc trứng ra bằng muôi canh và đặt phía trên mì tôm trong bát. Tới lúc này, bạn có thể thêm các món ăn kèm như thịt đã nấu chín.

Enhance the flavor of your noodles with sauces and seasonings. If you’re using strong sauces or spices, it’s best to use less of the seasoning packet that comes with the noodles to avoid making the dish too salty. Here are some delicious options to try:

• Fish sauce
• Japanese curry powder
• Ponzu sauce
• Miso paste
• Thai curry sauce

Boost the flavor with spices, oils, and other seasonings. This is a great option if you’re not a fan of fish sauce, curry powders, or sauces. Here are a few ideas to get started:

• Citrus juice, such as a squeeze of lemon or lime. Add the citrus juice just before serving the noodles in the bowl.
• Oils such as animal fat, chili oil, or sesame oil.
• Spices, such as chili flakes, coriander seeds, or white pepper. Be sure to remove the seeds before serving the noodles.

Add vegetables to make your meal healthier. You can toss in soft, quick-cooking vegetables just before serving your noodles. For tougher, slower-cooking vegetables, cook them with the noodles. Here are some tasty vegetable options:

• For quick-cooking vegetables, try young spinach, bean sprouts, spring onions, or watercress.
• For slower-cooking vegetables, try broccoli, green beans, snow peas, or finely chopped carrots.
• No fresh vegetables? Use frozen ones! Simply thaw them under hot running water for about 30 seconds.

Add protein with an egg. Instant noodles are high in sodium, starch, and fats, so they’re not the healthiest option. However, you can make the dish more nutritious by adding an egg, which is rich in protein. You can boil the egg soft or hard, then cut it in half—this is the most common method, but feel free to experiment with different ways. Here are some other options:

• Hard boil an egg by placing it in the pot with cold water. Once boiled, peel, cut it in half, and add it on top of the noodles before eating.
• Soft boil an egg by adding it to the pot once the water is beginning to boil. Cook for 3 to 7 minutes, peel, cut it in half, and add it to the noodles before serving.
• Try an egg drop method. Once the noodles are cooked and the broth is boiling, stir. Lightly beat an egg and drop it into the pot while the broth and noodles are still moving.
• Poach the egg right over the noodles. Let the egg cook for 30 seconds. Turn off the heat, cover, and wait another 30 seconds.
• Add a fried egg. Fry the egg separately and cook the noodles on their own. Place the fried egg on top of the noodles just before serving.

Boost the protein with meat. Thinly sliced meat is the most popular choice, but you can also add chicken breast, beef tenderloin, or lean pork. Cook the meat in the broth while the noodles begin to boil in a separate pot. Remove the meat from the broth, add the noodles, and place the meat on top of the noodles.

• Keep the amount of meat to a minimum. You want to focus on the flavor of the noodles and broth.
• Thinly sliced pork belly or pork shoulder are classic and popular options.

Try different authentic side dishes. For most of these, you'll need to visit an Asian specialty supermarket, though you might also find them in your local store. Here are some delicious options:

• Fish cakes (either Japanese or Korean varieties)
• Sliced white radish or lotus root, or shiitake mushrooms (Japanese mushrooms)
• Shredded seaweed
• Fermented pickled bamboo shoots (also known as menma)

Complete the dish.

• You can decide the amount of sides and seasoning, but the key to the dish should always be the noodles and broth.
• Consider adding a bit of finely chopped lemongrass. It pairs wonderfully with seafood.
• To prevent the broth from splashing, keep the pot close to the bowl when pouring.
• For a seafood noodle bowl, try adding squid, shrimp, crab, or salmon.
• Add anything you find delicious to your bowl of noodles. Be a little adventurous, but make sure to cook your ingredients thoroughly.
• No stove? No problem! You can cook noodles using a coffee machine or even a microwave!
• Don’t like soupy noodles? Boil your noodles and then stir-fry them with your favorite sauce and vegetables.
• Add some flavorings to the broth, such as garlic salt, miso paste, or soy sauce.
• Eat noodles quickly. Instant noodles don’t taste as good when left out for too long. If you know you can’t finish, cook only half a portion.

• Pot
• Wooden chopsticks or spoon
• Deep bowl