Late Night Ramen

Serves: 1 Bear or 2 People

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Bear Hands (author): Try to be sad while you’re eating ramen. I dare you.

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Hubby Bear (eater): Mixing some simply chopped veggies and a few premade ingredients makes this dish feel fresh and satisfying without a lot of extra work.

Though it’s less a recipe and more of a preparation if you’ve eaten ramen extensively in your life this is something we’ve all done, that is add bits and pieces of this and that to make it more than just instant noodles. Instant ramen can be just noodles in a flavoured broth in a pinch to quell hunger but they can also be a simple homespun quick meal that is satisfying and nostalgic and satisfyingly-nostalgic all at once. There are meals one plans carefully for days in advance, and then there are meals like this—improvised, deeply comforting, and somehow all the more pleasing for their spontaneity.

A well earned portion of instant ramen has always possessed a certain democratic charm: a little ingenuity, a few leftovers, and suddenly one finds oneself with something that feels remarkably surprising for having emerged from such practical beginnings. This version leans gleefully into that philosophy, marrying fiery kimchi, American cheese, and whatever bits and pieces of recent meals happen to be lingering in the refrigerator into a bowl that is equal parts comfort food and culinary mad science.

Perfrect for my Shrimp Ball recipe:

Freshly fried Shrimp Balls

Detailed recipe:

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Late Night Ramen

Yield: 1 bear (or half as many people)

Author: Bear Hands

For when you’re pulling an ‘all nighter’ or otherwise charmingly insomniated, do something nice for yourself. Meals like this remind us that good cooking need not always be meticulous; sometimes it is simply resourcefulness dressed very well indeed. enjoy getting whimsical with some instant ramen today!

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Ingredients

For the Kimchi Seasoning Paste

• 1 cup kimchi, chopped to smithereens
• 1 medium Maui sweet or Vidalia onion, similarly chopped to smithereens.
• 1 tablespoon Korean red pepper powder (more if you enjoy your food very spicy)
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Ramen

• 1 packet instant ramen, plus its seasoning packet
• 2 slices American cheese
• (use whatever American cheese is your favourite or most available in your area but if you can find it I very highly recommend Land O Lakes yellow American cheese, it’s the best for cooking with and eating)
• 1 tablespoon shoyu

*Suggested Toppings

• *the toppings can be whatever you fancy, have on hand or leftovers from previous meals that need a last hurrah in a revamped form. If you want to replicate the ramen I made, I used:
• 5–7 homemade shrimp balls (though any fishcake or seafood ball you enjoy will work beautifully)
• ½ block tofu, sliced
• Leftover fried dumplings
• 1 fried egg
• A handful dandelion greens, cleaned and trimmed into roughly 3-inch pieces
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise
• 1 banana pepper, thinly sliced
• Green onions, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1 — Prepare the kimchi seasoning paste
2. In a bowl, combine the finely chopped kimchi and onion with the red pepper powder, onion powder, white pepper, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly. Set aside to use shortly.
3. Step 2 — Prepare the broth
4. Select either a medium saucepot or a shallow, lidded pan large enough to comfortably hold several inches of liquid and your toppings besides. Bring water to a boil.
5. (If you prefer an especially brothy ramen with ample leftover soup for sipping afterwards simply add a bit more water.)
6. Step 3 — Build the base
7. Add the seasoning packet and the prepared kimchi mixture to the boiling water. Stir thoroughly to disperse the seasonings evenly.
8. Add the shrimp balls and return everything to a lively simmer.
9. Step 4 — Add the ramen and cheese
10. Stir in the shoyu and the slices of American cheese, allowing them to melt fully into the broth until it becomes glossy and rich.
11. Add the ramen noodles and cook according to the package instructions, just until tender.
12. Step 5 — Arrange the toppings
13. Arrange your chosen toppings over the ramen bowl with as much elegance or joyful excess as suits your mood. Garnish generously with green onions and serve immediately.

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Video:

Late Night Ramen Video