This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This spicy sesame ramen is a fast, budget-friendly, and flavorful dinner that takes only 20 minutes to make. Ditch the seasoning packet and get ready to make ramen that is full of flavor without all the sodium!
Fast and Budget-Friendly Sesame Ramen
Ramen isn’t just for college kids anymore. Ramen has gotten a glow up in recent years with more and more people appreciating the Asian food scene. It has been especially helpful that more fresh ramen noodles that are easily accessible now at grocery stores. This sesame ramen takes the concept of quick college meals and jazzes it up with flavor without all the sodium from the seasoning packet found in traditional ramen pouches.
The star of the show is the sesame ramen, but I also like making and serving spicy cucumbers alongside for additional flavor and crunch. This quick miso soup would be a fantastic side dish as well.
Sesame Ramen Variations
- Add your favorite protein to the ramen. You can use cooked and sliced chicken breasts or thighs, cooked shrimp, or cooked and browned ground pork. Tofu would be great too for a vegetarian approach. Mix your protein in when you’re mixing together the sesame ramen and sauce.
- Add in extra vegetables. Stir fried cabbage, matchstick carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and red bell peppers for a vegetable-forward approach.
- Make this into a soup. Instead of eating this ramen dry, add some coconut milk and curry and make it into a coconut curry sesame ramen.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, gently heat in a microwave-safe bowl until warmed through.
More Ramen Recipes
If you’re looking for more ways to jazz up plain ramen noodles, here are some recipes that you may like:
Spicy Sesame Ramen
Ingredients
- 6 ounces (227 g) fresh ramen noodles
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon chili oil
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sambal oelek, (garlic chili sauce)
Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced scallions
- Soft boiled eggs
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook ramen noodles according to package directions.
- In the meantime, whisk together sesame oil, chili oil, soy sauce, and sambal in a small bowl.
- Once noodles are done cooking, drain and place them into a large bowl then pour the sauce on top and toss to coat.
- Divide into bowls and serve with your favorite toppings!
Nutrition
Photographs by Jess Gaertner Creative
Where did you purchase the oil? I can’t seem to find it at my local grocery stores.
i’ve seen it at whole foods
How wonderful to discover your blog..
We are in the “empty-nester” category and simple recipes for two are precious to us..
My wife loves ramen noodles and I am trying to get her away from the, included packets.. I’ll start with this recipe, thank you..
A bit of “old man” confusion tho..
The ingredients went from 2 in the first ingredient list to adding sambal oelek in the actual recipe.. I like the addition and will go to my local Asian market to purchase some.. I’m pleased that I didn’t just go with the 2 ingredient list, as sambal oelek seems to be an ingredient we will enjoy..
Oh right, sorry about that! Use what is in the recipe!
SO the older I get I’m realizing how much I love the simplicity in a minimal amount of ingredients when it comes to making pasta! I used to want to drown everything in sauce! This looks good!
Blu
Yes! Simplicity at its best. Thanks!!