15 Minute Spicy Ramen

This 15-minute hack for 25¢ ramen packages gives you a perfect Japanese comfort food with ease.

Prep: 10

Cook: 15

Total: 25

Yield:2 servings

Place large saucepan on stovetop over high heat. Add 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1 cup water, 1 1-inch-long piece fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon miso paste, 1 tablespoon sambal oelek, 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, and 1 dash rice wine vinegar. Stir well to incorporate ingredients, then bring mixture to boil.
Once mixture reaches rolling boil, immediately reduce heat under saucepan to medium-low. Simmer mixture 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. After 10 minutes, use slotted spoon to remove ginger and garlic pieces.
Add 2 blocks dried ramen noodles to saucepan and cook noodles in broth mixture until noodles are soft.
Once all noodles have softened, use slotted spoon to transfer noodles from saucepan to serving bowls, dividing noodles evenly between bowls.
Pour broth over noodles, dividing broth evenly between bowls.
If desired, top ramen with halves of 2 large soft-boiled eggs. Garnish with thinly sliced scallions, black sesame seeds, ½ sheet nori, and chopped chicken. Serve ramen immediately.

Sambal Oelek: If you can't find or don't have sambal oelek, you can use Gochujang, chili-garlic sauce, red chili flakes, or sriracha. Sriracha will be a little sweeter, though, and may throw off the overall flavor of the dish.
Ramen: Use the dried noodle blocks only - don't use the seasoning packets!
Chicken: You can also use pork or tofu instead of chicken if desired, or omit it completely with no replacements.
Sodium Content: The sodium estimate in the nutrition information reflects using low-sodium chicken broth and low-sodium soy sauce, and omitting the ramen seasoning packets.
Make it Vegan: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Serve with tofu instead of chicken if desired and omit the soft-boiled eggs entirely.

Stovetop Soft-Boiled Eggs: Boil eggs 6 to 7 minutes. Immediately transfer eggs to ice bath and let eggs soak until cool enough to handle.
Instant Pot Soft-Boiled Eggs: Cook 1 minute on Manual Low Pressure, then immediately quick release steam and remove eggs. Immediately transfer eggs to ice bath and let eggs soak until cool enough to handle.
Air Fryer Soft-Boiled Eggs: Air fry eggs at 300° Fahrenheit for 7-9 minutes. Immediately transfer eggs to ice bath and let eggs soak until cool enough to handle.