Make Korean Ramen More Appealing By Experimenting With Toppings

Whether in a Korean restaurant or K-drama, ramen is never served in just a soupy concoction. It is often accompanied by toppings that make the dish irresistible and make you slabber at the mere sight of it. From seaweeds to fried eggs, the extra ingredients make the dish wholesome and improve its appeal.

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These toppings also add a depth of flavour while adding a kick to the bowl. Just by changing the topping, you can create several variations of the noodle dish catering to different palates. With this guide, hop on the Korean cooking adventure to understand more about the cuisine and all the hype around it.

Soft Boiled Eggs

Soft-boiled eggs with a slightly runny yolk make any dish look expensive and irresistible. Not to mention the extra protein serving that comes with them. The runny yolk also makes the ramen slightly creamy and more heartwarming. If you marinate eggs in soy sauce, they will add umami flavour to the recipe. Make sure to cut eggs into equal parts for an authentic and sophisticated touch.

Nori

Nori or seaweed is a popular and common topping picked for Korean ramen. The crispy sheets have an umami taste and briny flavour that elevate the noodle slurping experience. You can either cut them into thin strips or small squares/ rectangles to boost the appeal. If you are sceptical about this topping, consider the ample benefits of nori, ranging from improving gut, skin, and thyroid health to controlling blood sugar, supporting bones, and benefiting the heart.

Cheese

Recently, Love Scout has been among the highest-rated K-dramas that people are eagerly watching. In one of the episodes Yoo Eu-ho (played by Lee Jun-hyuk) prepares a delicious bowl of instant ramen for Kang Ji-yun (played by Han Ji-min). He chops hot dogs arranges them on the top of noodles and places cheese in the middle. Do you remember Kang Ji-yun’s reaction to the cheese pull and how spectators reacted to the dish? Your friends and family will also enjoy this topping.

Bean Sprouts

While Korean food heavily depends on meat and eggs, people never forget to add a lot of vegetables to their food. Not only does it make the meal wholesome but also improves the nutrition levels. Fresh bean sprouts are perfect for topping noodles because they will absorb extra heat and spice, making the meal more suitable for your palate if you cannot tolerate red chillies. Add these before serving to maintain their crispy texture.

Tofu

Tofu adds a serving of protein to ramen. It is packed with essential nutrients and soaks the broth, making the soup thick instead of runny. The chewy texture of tofu and its firmness enhances the dining experience. If you would like, you can marinate tofu slices and grill them on a griddle for extra flavour. This way, the protein will not taste bland and add more depth to the Korean ramen recipe.