Ultimate Creamy Instant Ramen (Kewpie Mayo Hack)

By DishFrames
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Transform an ordinary packet of instant noodles into a rich, restaurant-quality bowl. Emulsifying the hot broth with kewpie mayo and an egg yolk creates magic.

↓ The ingredients ↓ The steps

The viral Kewpie mayo ramen hack has revolutionized how people prepare instant noodles at home. By utilizing a technique similar to carbonara, the hot noodle water gently tempers a mixture of egg yolk, garlic, and mayonnaise. This results in a lusciously thick, opaque broth that rivals slow-simmered tonkotsu. Topped with crispy spam, a jammy egg, and fresh vegetables, this simple pantry meal becomes an indulgent, deeply satisfying feast.

A fully loaded bowl of creamy, upgraded instant ramen with crispy spam, a jammy soft-boiled egg, and sweet corn.
A fully loaded bowl of creamy, upgraded instant ramen with crispy spam, a jammy soft-boiled egg, and sweet corn.
Prep10 mins
Cook10 mins
Total20 mins
Yield1 serving
DifficultyEasy
Calories850 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1Add an egg yolk
    Hand cracking an egg shell to drop a raw egg yolk into a dark bowl.

    Begin by separating an egg and dropping the raw yolk into an empty serving bowl. Ensure no egg white makes it into the bowl for a richer sauce base.

    Tip: Save the egg white for another recipe, like an egg drop soup or an omelet!
  2. 2Add minced garlic
    A dollop of minced garlic placed next to an egg yolk in a dark bowl.

    Add a small spoonful of finely minced garlic next to the egg yolk in the bowl. This will bring a savory and aromatic punch to the final dish.

    Tip: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor, but you can use pre-minced garlic for convenience.
  3. 3Squeeze in mayonnaise
    Hand squeezing mayonnaise from a bottle into a bowl with an egg yolk and minced garlic.

    Squeeze a generous amount of mayonnaise into the bowl alongside the egg yolk and minced garlic. The mayonnaise will create a creamy, rich emulsion for the noodles.

    Tip: Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise works excellently here for its slightly sweeter and richer profile.
  4. 4Add the seasoning powder
    Instant noodle seasoning powder added to a bowl with egg yolk, garlic, and mayonnaise.

    Open your instant noodle packet and empty the provided seasoning powder directly into the bowl with the yolk, garlic, and mayonnaise.

    Tip: If you prefer a less salty dish, only add half or three-quarters of the seasoning packet.
  5. 5Add dried vegetables
    Dried vegetables added to a bowl containing egg yolk, garlic, mayonnaise, and seasoning powder.

    Pour the dried vegetable packet from the instant noodles into the bowl. These dehydrated veggies will rehydrate later when the hot ingredients are introduced.

    Tip: You can also add some freshly chopped scallions or vegetables of your choice at this stage.
  6. 6Mix into a paste
    Hand using a wooden spoon to stir egg yolk, mayo, and seasonings into a paste in a dark bowl.

    Using a spoon, vigorously stir the egg yolk, minced garlic, mayonnaise, and seasonings together until they form a thick, well-combined paste. Ensure the seasoning powder is evenly distributed without any lumps.

    Tip: Mix thoroughly so the egg yolk fully emulsifies with the mayonnaise, creating a smooth and creamy texture.
  7. 7Pour in the hot water
    A metal ladle pouring hot, steaming water into a dark brown bowl filled with corn kernels and an egg mixture.

    Take a ladle of the hot, starchy water used to boil your instant noodles and pour it directly into the serving bowl over your prepared egg and seasoning mixture. The heat from the water will gently cook the ingredients and meld the flavors together.

    Tip: Using the hot noodle cooking water instead of plain boiling water helps create a richer, thicker broth because of the starch released from the noodles.
  8. 8Mix into a creamy broth
    A creamy, light yellow broth mixed with sweet corn kernels and delicate egg strands in a dark serving bowl.

    Stir the hot water and seasonings together thoroughly until everything is completely dissolved and incorporated. The combination of the egg, mayonnaise, and hot water will emulsify into a rich, creamy, and flavorful base ready for your noodles.

    Tip: Mix vigorously while the water is still piping hot to ensure the egg tempers properly and creates a smooth consistency without scrambling into large pieces.
  9. 9Add the cooked noodles
    A wire mesh strainer transferring a portion of cooked, wavy instant noodles into a dark bowl filled with creamy corn broth.

    Carefully transfer your freshly cooked and drained instant noodles from the strainer directly into the center of the bowl with the creamy broth. Allow the noodles to settle into the hot liquid so they can absorb all the rich flavors.

    Tip: Make sure your noodles are cooked just al dente before adding them to the hot broth, as they will continue to soften slightly while sitting in the bowl.
  10. 10Top with crispy spam
    Two thick, browned slices of pan-fried spam placed neatly over a bed of instant noodles in a creamy broth.

    Add a savory and meaty element to your ramen by placing a couple of freshly pan-fried spam slices directly on top of the noodles. The crispy, caramelized edges and salty flavor of the meat contrast perfectly with the creamy, sweet corn broth.

    Tip: Fry the spam slices until they develop a deep golden-brown crust on both sides for maximum texture and flavor.
  11. 11Add sausage and soft-boiled egg
    Hands carefully placing two halves of a soft-boiled egg with a bright orange yolk into a ramen bowl next to a cooked sausage and slices of spam.

    Finish building your bowl by adding a plump, cooked sausage and a perfectly soft-boiled egg sliced in half. Carefully arrange the egg halves with the bright, jammy yolk facing up to create an appetizing and hearty meal.

    Tip: To get the perfect soft-boiled egg with a runny, jammy yolk, boil large cold eggs for exactly 6 to 6.5 minutes before shocking them in an ice water bath.
  12. 12Add sweet corn
    Fingers dropping bright yellow sweet corn kernels into a bowl of creamy ramen topped with sliced spam and soft-boiled eggs.

    Scatter a handful of sweet corn kernels over the noodles and rich creamy broth. The corn introduces a pleasant burst of sweetness and a slight crunch that contrasts beautifully with the savory flavors of the dish.

    Tip: If using canned corn, drain it thoroughly before adding to avoid watering down the creamy broth.
  13. 13Add the green peppers
    A hand placing fresh green bell pepper slices onto a bowl of creamy ramen noodles topped with corn, an egg half, and savory meats.

    Carefully place the freshly sliced green bell peppers into the bowl as a garnish. Distribute them evenly over the noodles alongside the sweet corn, sausage, and soft-boiled egg to add a vibrant crunch and a pop of color to the creamy broth.

    Tip: Adding the bell peppers at the very end ensures they retain their crisp texture and fresh, bright flavor without getting soggy in the hot broth.
  14. 14Garnish with seaweed and sesame
    Top-down view of a fully assembled bowl of ramen in creamy broth, beautifully garnished with seaweed flakes, sesame seeds, green peppers, sweet corn, sausage, spam, and soft-boiled eggs.

    Finish assembling the dish by sprinkling a mixture of dried seaweed flakes and toasted sesame seeds over the top. This final garnish adds a subtle umami depth and a nutty aroma that brings all the flavors of the bowl together.

    Tip: A standard furikake seasoning packet works perfectly as a quick and flavorful substitute if you dont have separate seaweed and sesame seeds.
  15. 15Serve and enjoy
    Wooden chopsticks lifting a generous portion of curly ramen noodles out of a rich creamy broth, surrounded by vibrant toppings like spam, sausage, and soft-boiled egg.

    Your rich and creamy ramen is now ready to eat. Use a pair of chopsticks to lift the curly noodles from the flavorful broth, making sure to get a mix of the delicious toppings in every bite. Enjoy the bowl immediately while it is still piping hot.

    Tip: Ramen noodles can soften quickly as they sit, so it is best to serve and eat the dish right after assembly to maintain the perfect chewy texture.

Burn It Off

Running
~1 hour 25 minutes at a steady jog (~9 kmh).
Hyrox
~1 hour 30 minutes of high-intensity functional training.
Badminton
~1 hour 45 minutes of intense competitive play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, regular mayonnaise will work, but Kewpie mayo is made with only egg yolks and a touch of MSG. This gives it a richer, more savory flavor profile that perfectly complements the ramen broth.
The boiling hot noodle water cooks the raw egg yolk gently, tempering it to create a safe, creamy emulsion. However, if you are particularly concerned or serving vulnerable individuals, it is best to use pasteurized eggs.
A clumpy broth usually happens if the water isnt hot enough to temper the egg, or if you dont stir quickly and vigorously while pouring the water in. This causes the egg yolk to scramble into small pieces rather than emulsifying smoothly into the sauce.
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