Quick Soy Sauce Ramen
A flavorful, restaurant-style soy sauce ramen you can make in just 5 minutes. This simple, umami-rich bowl uses pantry staples and microwave-ready techniques.
Ramen does not always require hours of simmering over a stove. This quick soy sauce version captures the essential salty, savory notes of traditional shoyu ramen by balancing chicken bouillon, soy sauce, mirin, and a hint of gochujang heat. It is a perfect solution for a fast, comforting lunch that feels anything but instant.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp chicken bouillon
- 1/3 tsp garlic powder
- 1/3 tsp sugar
- 1/3 tsp gochujang
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 200 ml water
- 1 portion cooked somen noodles
- to taste bonito flakes
- 1/2 soft-boiled egg
- 1 tbsp chopped green onions
Instructions
- 1Add chicken bouillon
Place one teaspoon of chicken bouillon powder into a clean bowl as the base for your ramen broth.
Tip: Using a measuring spoon ensures the flavor balance remains consistent. - 2Add aromatics and sugar
Add a third of a teaspoon each of garlic powder, sugar, and gochujang to the bowl with the chicken bouillon.
Tip: The gochujang provides a subtle heat and depth of flavor to the broth. - 3Add liquid seasonings
Pour one teaspoon of sesame oil, one tablespoon of soy sauce, and one tablespoon of mirin into the bowl with the other ingredients.
Tip: Sesame oil adds a wonderful aromatic nutty finish to the ramen. - 4Add water
Add 200 milliliters of water to the seasoning mixture in the bowl.
Tip: Using warm water can help the seasonings dissolve faster, but room temperature is fine. - 5Mix the broth
Use chopsticks or a spoon to stir the mixture thoroughly until all seasonings and the gochujang paste are fully dissolved into the water.
Tip: Ensure the gochujang paste is well-incorporated so there are no lumps in your broth. - 6Microwave the broth
Place the bowl in the microwave and heat at 600 watts for two minutes to cook the broth flavors.
Tip: Be careful when removing the bowl from the microwave, as it will be hot. - 7Add the somen noodles
Take your previously cooked somen noodles and carefully lower them into the hot broth that you just finished microwaving. Use chopsticks to ensure they are fully submerged and coated in the flavorful soup base.
Tip: Make sure your noodles are cooked al dente before adding them, as they will soak up some of the hot broth. - 8Garnish with bonito flakes
Finish the dish by sprinkling a generous amount of bonito flakes over the assembled noodles and the soft-boiled egg. The heat from the broth will cause the flakes to dance and release their umami aroma.
Tip: This step is essential for the authentic taste of this ramen; be generous with the bonito flakes for the best flavor profile.
