Easy Instant Ramen Omelet Recipe

Marc — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 22:47:27 +0000

This recipe comes by way of one of my mom’s college roommates. My mom was a college student with a short budget and a need for some cheap food. That roommate took charge and showed her the ropes of this simple and inexpensive meal. It stuck around long enough that I was introduced to the delicious and easy meal that is a ramen omelet while growing up.

It is some weird concoction that strangely works in a way that doesn’t seem like it should. Soft-boiled eggs are commonly served with a bowl of ramen. But I have not seen this mix of egg and ramen outside my house. Not saying nobody’s done it before, but it is not common. If you try this, you will have to let me know what you think of it.

But don’t be fooled by the name, it isn’t just a regular omelet that is filled with ramen noodles. It actually isn’t super omelet-like, now that I think about it. And it is not something that I would really think to have for breakfast. It is more of a lunch kind of meal in my head.

It is more like pan-fried egg and ramen that isn’t scrambled and is then topped with cheese and whatever other toppings you want. Like a ramen frittata or something. But I always have and always will call it a ramen omelet. And if you are looking for other inexpensive meals after giving this one a try, make sure to check out how to make the perfect baked potato for another cheap meal.

Basic Ramen Omelet Steps

Making a ramen omelet takes a few simple steps. I think one of the reasons my mom taught it to me while I was young is that it is so easy. I could make it as a child and it was a great recipe to learn from early on. It truly does bring back memories from growing up for me.

First, cook the ramen noodles until they are just tender and then drain them. I recommend putting about half of the seasoning packet into the water that you use to cook the ramen. Let the noodles rest in the strainer for a minute while you crack an egg into a bowl. Whisk the egg until smooth. Then add the drained noodles to the bowl with the egg and stir to combine. Add the rest of the flavor packet into the bowl and stir.

Heat a small skillet on medium and then melt a little butter in it. Add the egg and noodle mixture to the pan and let it start cooking. Flip it over after a few minutes so that the other side can cook. Cover the cooked top side with cheese so that it can melt while the bottom cooks.

Once it is cooked through, remove it from the pan, add any toppings that feel right, and then enjoy your meal.

Flavor Your Ramen

This is an inexpensive meal when you can get a 24 pack of ramen for less than $12, and then you have the eggs and cheese that won’t break the bank. But even though we’re going light on money, we don’t want to go light on flavor.

The most simple version of this recipe doesn’t add on a whole lot of complex flavors. Ramen, egg, and cheese. The flavor packet of your selected ramen lends a bit of nuance. And it is a great dish served in its simplicity. But it can also be a whole lot more if you have some imagination in the kitchen.

Throw some aromatics into the butter and sauté them before adding in the noodle and egg mixture. The best ones would likely be garlic and onion. Just mince them up, toss them in for a quick pan fry, and then continue cooking everything else as normal. If you are feeling like adding a bit more flavor and zing, try grating in some fresh ginger.

You can also try adding some other sauces to the mix – soy sauce, sriracha, chili garlic sauce, gochujang, or save some of the flavor packet to sprinkle on top. When stirring together the egg and noodle, try throwing some spinach or crumbled bacon into the mix. Try topping it with green onion or sliced avocado.

However you flavor it, just know that it comes from a fond place of childhood memories.

If you enjoyed this post, consider signing up for more ideas and recipes shared straight to your inbox: