Ramen is quite possibly the king of comfort foods. A hot bowl of delicious broth, noodles, and toppings is always a good idea, especially on a chilly, rainy day or when you just need a quick and satisfying meal. But let’s face it, plain ramen can get boring quickly.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 35 easy yet flavourful toppings you can add to your ramen, whether you’re making it from scratch or spicing up an instant noodle pack.
These toppings will elevate your ramen game and take your taste buds on a journey to Japan and beyond. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get started!
35 Easy Toppings for Ramen
1. Soft-Boiled Egg
A perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg adds richness and creaminess to your ramen. Slice it in half, and the runny yolk blends beautifully with the broth.
2. Seaweed Sheets (Nori)
Crispy nori sheets provide a delightful contrast to the soft noodles. Toast them briefly over an open flame for extra flavor. You can buy it from Amazon.
3. Bean Sprouts
Fresh bean sprouts bring a satisfying crunch to your ramen. Add them just before serving for a refreshing touch.
4. Scallions (Green Onions)
Finely chopped scallions add a mild oniony flavor and a burst of color. They’re a classic ramen topping.
5. Bamboo Shoots (Menma)
Sliced or marinated bamboo shoots provide a unique texture and a slightly sweet taste. You can buy it from Amazon.
6. Black Garlic
Rich, earthy black garlic cloves are a luxurious topping that enhances the umami flavor of your broth. Here is the recipe for black garlic. You can also buy it from Amazon.
7. Corn Kernels
Sweet and tender corn kernels bring a pop of sweetness to your ramen. They’re especially delicious in miso ramen.
8. Butter
A pat of butter melts into your hot broth, creating a creamy and indulgent layer of flavor.
9. Fish Cake (Narutomaki)
Sliced fish cake with its iconic pink spiral pattern is a classic topping that adds a mild seafood flavor.
10. Kimchi
A spoonful of kimchi introduces spicy and tangy notes, transforming your ramen into a bold and fiery dish. Get canned Kimchi from Amazon!
11. Mushrooms
Sliced shiitake, enoki, or other mushrooms add an earthy and savory depth to your ramen.
12. Chashu Pork (Japanese Braised Pork Belly)
Tender, slow-cooked slices of chashu pork provide a rich and meaty topping for ramen.
13. Spinach
Steamed or blanched spinach brings a touch of green freshness to your ramen.
14. Sesame Seeds
A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds provides a subtle nutty flavor and extra crunch.
15. Bonito Flakes
Thin, wispy bonito flakes dance on the surface of your hot ramen, adding a subtle smokiness. Buy Bonito Flakes from Amazon!
16. Chili Oil (Rayu)
A drizzle of spicy chili oil elevates your ramen’s heat level and flavor profile. Buy chili oil from Amazon!
17. Furikake (Japanese Rice Seasoning)
A versatile Japanese seasoning blend that enhances your ramen’s umami with ingredients like sesame seeds, seaweed, and bonito flakes.
18. Poached Chicken
Shredded poached chicken is a lean protein option for your ramen, complementing the broth’s savory richness.
19. Ajitsuke Tamago (Ramen Eggs)
Upgrade your soft-boiled egg with a savory soy-based marinade for extra depth of flavor.
20. Shredded Nori Strips
Rather than whole nori sheets, try shredded nori strips for a different texture and flavor experience. Buy shredded Nori strips from Amazon.
21. Enoki Mushrooms
Delicate enoki mushrooms provide a unique texture and an earthy, slightly sweet taste.
22. Wakame Seaweed
Rehydrated wakame seaweed adds a briny flavor and an attractive dark green color.
23. Mung Bean Sprouts
A crunchy alternative to regular bean sprouts, mung bean sprouts offer a mild and fresh addition.
24. Ajitama (Seasoned Soft-Boiled Egg)
Like ajitsuke tamago, ajitama eggs are marinated and pack extra flavor.
25. Crispy Fried Shallots
Crunchy fried shallots give your ramen a savory, aromatic garnish. You can also get it from Amazon!
26. Shredded Red Ginger (Beni Shoga)
Red pickled ginger provides a zesty, tangy contrast to your ramen’s flavors.
27. Garlic Chips
Crispy, golden garlic chips are a delightful topping, enhancing the broth with their fragrant garlic aroma.
28. Yuzu Zest
A sprinkle of yuzu zest adds a bright and citrusy note to your ramen.
29. Okra Slices
Sliced okra is a unique topping that offers a refreshing crunch and a hint of vegetal flavor.
30. Crispy Pork Belly
If you love extra porky goodness, crispy pork belly provides a delightful contrast to tender chashu.
31. Yuzu Kosho
A Japanese condiment made from yuzu citrus and chili peppers, yuzu kosho imparts a complex and zesty heat.
32. Cilantro Leaves
Fresh cilantro leaves add a lively, herbal dimension to your ramen.
33. Wakame Salad
Top your ramen with wakame salad, a refreshing combination of seaweed, cucumber, and sesame seeds.
34. Daikon Radish Sprouts
Delicate daikon radish sprouts contribute a mild, peppery bite.
35. Tofu Cubes
Silken tofu cubes offer a light, plant-based protein option, soaking up the rich flavors of the broth.
Final Thoughts,
With these 35 easy and delicious ramen toppings, you can customize your bowl of ramen to suit your preferences and experiment with new flavor combinations.
From classic choices like soft-boiled eggs and nori to more unconventional options like crispy pork belly and yuzu zest, the world of ramen toppings is both diverse and exciting.
So, gather your favorite ingredients and embark on a culinary adventure to create your ultimate ramen bowl. Your taste buds will thank you for the delightful experience!
