Ramen noodles have become an internet sensation thanks to TikTok. Videos showing quick and easy ways to make ramen have gone viral, with some ramen recipes gaining millions of views. This has led many people to wonder – is the ramen you see made on TikTok actually good? Let’s take a closer look.
What is the TikTok Ramen?
The “TikTok Ramen” refers to recipes and cooking hacks for making ramen noodles that have spread widely on TikTok. These videos put creative twists on ramen by adding ingredients like cheese, vegetables, eggs, or meat to instant noodles. Some popular TikTok ramen trends include:
- Ramen carbonara – ramen noodles cooked in a rich, creamy carbonara sauce
- Ramen egg drop soup – ramen broth with whipped eggs stirred in to create egg drop soup
- Ramen fried rice – ramen noodles cooked like fried rice with vegetables and protein
- Ramen cheese bombs – ramen noodles stuffed with cheese then boiled or pan fried
The recipes are designed to elevate instant ramen from fast food to gourmet cuisine using simple ingredients most people have on hand. They allow TikTokers to get creative with flavors and textures while showing off cooking skills.
What Makes the TikTok Ramen Go Viral?
There are a few key factors that make TikTok ramen recipes ripe for going viral:
- Novel concepts – Adding new twists like cheese or carbonara sauce makes ramen feel fresh and exciting.
- Low cost – Nearly anyone can make these recipes at home with cheap instant noodles and common ingredients.
- Quick and easy prep – Most TikTok ramen hacks come together in 10 minutes or less, ideal for the platform.
- Visual appeal – From oozing cheese pulls to perfect fried eggs, the videos are filled with crave-worthy food close-ups.
- Customization – The recipes can be easily tailored to dietary needs or taste preferences.
Watching someone transform basic instant ramen into gourmet noodle dishes in just minutes makes for fun and engaging content. The recipes seem accessible for viewers to recreate at home, driving even more interest.
Reviewing Some Popular TikTok Ramen Recipes
To really determine if the TikTok ramen craze is worth the hype, I tried making some of the most viewed ramen recipes for myself. Here’s an inside look at how they turned out:
Ramen Carbonara
This recipe involves tossing cooked ramen in a sauce of eggs, Parmesan, bacon, and cream to mimic the flavors of an Italian carbonara. With over 5 million views on TikTok, I was excited to give it a try.
The ingredient combinations sounded delicious, but the execution proved a bit lackluster. The sauce split when I added the noodles, turning gloopy instead of silky smooth like a carbonara should be. The bacon flavor was also too mild. While the cream and cheese made it rich, the overall flavor profile fell flat. The viral appeal is understandable, but this dish still needs some tinkering.
Ramen Egg Drop Soup
| Taste | 7/10 |
|---|---|
| Texture | 8/10 |
| Ease | 10/10 |
| Overall | 8/10 |
For this recipe, beaten eggs are drizzled into hot ramen broth to create a soup with silk egg ribbons. I was pleasantly surprised by the results – the broth tasted rich and savory, while the egg ribbons added a pleasant soft texture. It came together fast, making it a weeknight dinner winner. This simple upgrade to instant ramen is totally worth the hype in my book.
Ramen Fried Rice
Cooking ramen noodles like fried rice has become a major trend, with people adding vegetables, eggs, meat and more to instant noodles. I tried my hand at a basic version.
While the noodles did get crispy in spots, the texture was off – they clung together and lacked the individual grains that make fried rice so enjoyable. Even with plenty of additions like peas, carrots and shrimp, the ramen’s dense, chewy texture dominated. Ramen noodles work great in soups, but frying them into a rice substitute was less successful. I likely won’t jump on this viral recipe bandwagon again.
Evaluating the Flavor Impact of TikTok Ramen Hacks
Aside from the unique textures these viral ramen recipes create, another big draw seems to be the new and intense flavors they introduce.
To better evaluate the flavor impact of TikTok ramen hacks, I tried recipes that focused on adding strong taste combinations like:
- Miso, sriracha, lime – Spicy miso ramen
- Butter, garlic, lemon – Garlic lemon noodle ramen
- Pesto, tomato, mozzarella – Pesto tomato ramen bake
The added ingredients definitely made the noodles more exciting and complex. However, I found the flavor balance was sometimes off – combinations like pesto and tomato sauce were overly acidic, while spicy miso lacked sufficient depth. Getting the seasonings just right took more finesse than the quick TikTok videos imply.
I think the bold new flavors are what initially attract viewers and inspire them to try these hacks themselves. But actually executing them well takes thoughtful adjustment. Novices should start with small amounts of new add-ins and adjust to suit their tastes.
Rating Flavor Impact of Viral Ramen Recipes
| Recipe | Flavor Intensity | Flavor Balance | Crave-worthy? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spicy miso ramen | 9/10 | 6/10 | Yes |
| Garlic lemon ramen | 7/10 | 8/10 | Yes |
| Pesto tomato ramen bake | 10/10 | 5/10 | No |
Nutritional Value of TikTok Ramen Hacks
With all these tempting ramen recipes going viral, it raises questions around the nutritional value of these souped up noodle dishes.
At their core, the recipes use instant ramen which is notoriously low in nutrients. According to Healthline, a standard ramen noodle packet contains:
- Around 355 calories
- 13 grams protein
- 8 grams fat
- 53 grams carbs
This delivers some protein and carbs but minimal beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals or fiber. Sodium levels are also sky-high, ranging from 900 to 1400 milligrams per packet.
While TikTok ramen recipes add items like eggs, vegetables, or cheese which can boost nutrition, the noodles themselves remain nutritionally void. Factoring in giant portion sizes many recipes yield, the viral ramen hacks likely pack excessive calories, sodium, fat and carbs without enough balancing nutrients.
Occasional indulgence in decadent ramen recipes is fine, but relying on souped up ramen as a regular meal could quickly undermine health. Those wanting nutrition along with their noodles are better off using homemade broth, swapping the noodles for varieties with added protein or fiber, and loading up on fresh vegetables.
Nutritional Value of Viral Ramen Recipes
| Recipe | Calories | Sodium | Protein | Fiber | Nutrition Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramen carbonara | High | High | Moderate | Low | Low |
| Ramen egg drop soup | Moderate | High | Moderate | Low | Low |
| Ramen fried rice | High | High | Low | Low | Low |
Is the TikTok Ramen Worth It?
After testing countless viral ramen recipes, would I say the TikTok ramen craze is worth participating in?
Here’s my verdict:
Pros
- Inventive flavors and textures
- Fun way to experiment with different taste combinations
- Quick and easy for weeknight meals
- Customizable to suit preferences
- Less boring than eating instant ramen plain
Cons
- Often lack nuanced flavor balance
- Nutritional value remains low despite additions
- Noodle textures don’t always work as intended
- Eating large portions frequently could cause health issues
The Verdict
Yes, making souped up ramen recipes from TikTok can be worth it! The viral recipes provide inspiration for turning boring instant noodles into exciting new dishes. While execution may take refinement, it’s a fun cooking experiment. Just be mindful of portion sizes and nutritional balance.
Not every TikTok ramen hack is destined for greatness. But the right recipes can add whimsy and joy to everyday meals. Approach them with an open mind, willingness to adjust seasoning as needed, and restraint on indulgent recipes. Then souped up ramen can absolutely be worth your time.
Tips for Getting the Most from TikTok Ramen
Based on my trials, here are some tips to get the best results when venturing into the world of TikTok ramen recipes:
- Start with popular recipes that align with your tastes – a miso fan may like spicy ramen bowls, while someone who loves pesto could enjoy a ramen pasta hybrid.
- Use high quality instant noodles – they hold up better than the cheap styles.
- Cook noodles al dente – watch closely and remove from heat before they get mushy.
- Add aromatics like garlic, ginger and sesame oil for flavor depth.
- Balance strong add-ins like spice pastes or citrus with sweetness.
- Customize with your favorite proteins and veggies to make it personalized.
- Top with extras like soft boiled eggs, scallions, or avocado for texture.
- Make reasonable portion sizes instead of the giant viral servings.
With smart ramen recipe selections and proper technique, you can absolutely elevate basic instant noodles into something crave-worthy. Just stay mindful of nutrition and enjoy these viral ramen hacks in moderation.
Conclusion
Viral TikTok ramen represents the perfect fusion of food and internet culture. While the recipes aren’t always perfectly balanced, they spark inspiration for home cooks to get creative with flavors. Approaching TikTok ramen recipes with sensible portions and an adaptive cooking process can absolutely yield some delicious results.
Next time you’re hungry for something quick, fun and comforting, don’t hesitate to pull out your phone and see what ramen recipes are trending next. Just keep your salt intake in check and enjoy these viral food sensations in moderation. With billions of TikTok views backing their appeal, these creative ramen hacks are often worth the hype.