Are any brands of Instant Ramen less unhealthy?

When I make Top Ramen I make two packs at a time. When the water boils I put in half of one seasoning packet. Then I add the ramen. Add some black pepper to taste and then pour out most of the water. Then cover in Parmesan cheese.

While still a lot of salt it isn’t nearly as bad as how I see some people make it. My buddy Aaron makes it where he drains out most water after the noodles are done and then pours in the entire seasoning packet. So much salt and it tastes like shit.

Haven’t come across any. Sometimes I just put in half or less than half the seasoning packet. Still plenty of flavor.

I should add that I hold on to the seasoning packs. It is pretty good if you make egg noodles and toss in some of the seasoning from the top ramen. Again covering in Parmesan.

LOL! Well one of my favorites was to make Mac n Cheese using Raman and Velveeta, butter and milk.

OMFG… I don’t use the ramen in that way but I love using shells + Velveeta + milk to make mac and cheese. It is the ultimate comfort food. And a grilled cheese using Velveeta is awesome.

I don’t get the Velveeta hate.

The ramen give it a whole nother taste. Is good!

Oh and I DON’T use the seasoning! That would be nasty.

For sure. I didn’t assume you did. That would ruin perfectly good Velveeta. And now I am tempted to try it with ramen. I have all the supplies needed. Tonight I am going to FlavorTown!

Ramen is no “super food”. Like others have said though, don’t use the entire seasoning packet. When I make it I either use half of it, or don’t use it at all and just sprinkle a little season salt on it.

I’ve never had it but I do have a box of Nongshim Udon which is from Costco. I’ve not made it yet. I bought it after seeing some East Asian people buying it. I figured if they’re buying it, it’s probably good and somewhat genuine.

http://costcocouple.com/nong-shim-udon-noodle-bowls/

@RedDeerGuy1 Like @jca I bought the Nongshim noodles from Costco. I bought them when they had a buy one get one free. I only ever used half or less of the seasoning packet. i really enjoyed them. I don’t consider ramen or Nongshim noodles to be any kind of nutritious food. I just like noodles!

Ramen from a ramen restaurant with other ingredients in it would be actual soup and less unhealthy.

Even cheap-o ramen from packets can be fairly healthy if you ditch most or all of the “flavor packet” and add some actual ingredients, especially vegetable bits.

Fresh fruit and vegetables = Super food.

Most brands of “instant ramen noodle soup” found in your average grocery store are really unhealthy. Most of the noodles are fried, and the flavor packets are loaded with sodium and chemicals that don’t belong in a healthy diet.

There are, however, brands of instant ramen noodles that are Baked instead of fried. Your best bet is to ditch the flavor packets of most instant ramen noodle soup packages, and add your own broth and spices. For extra nutrition, add in your own veggies and meats too.

Koyo is a much healthier brand, than say Top Ramen, which is one of the worst.

Most instant ramen noodle packs contain MSG, another chemical (used as a flavor enhancer) that is not healthy. Here is some info about that, and a recipe for a healthier, Homemade Ramen Noodle Soup

I buy air-dried instead of fried ramen and avoid the flavour packets. They are like regular pasta then. Love those little noodles.

@Kardamom, where did you get the idea that they’re fried? …this dough is rolled out and cut into thin noodles. The noodles are then steamed and are finally packaged after dehydration.”
How it’s made.

And they’re no unhealthier for you than bread or crackers. ”...made with wheat flour, water, salt, and kansui, an alkaline water that adds elasticity to the noodles. ”

The most unhealthy thing in packaged ramen is the sodium in the flavor packet.

Right?

Most of the cheap brands of ramen that Americans like are Fried

Like Top Ramen and Marachucan.

Well, that’s what that article you linked says, although it doesn’t offer a link verifying this.

This says otherwise. I think they used to be fried, but now they’re dehydrated. You’ll just have to read it and see what you think.

Probably best for people to check the packaging of the ramen that is available to them.

The cheap ramen in shops here is fried. There is also air-dried ramen. I have not found baked ramen here (we have 7 Chinatowns locally, so I’ve looked at a lot of it).

Look at the package. If it doesn’t explicitly say air-dried don’t buy it if you’re looking for healthy version.

Google “The top 5 reasons why ramen noodles are tasty little death traps.”

I tried to link it but am having trouble with my mouse.

Here is a little bit more info on Fried versus Air Dried Ramen Noodles.

What I have surmised is that if it does not specifically say that it is air dried, then it is fried. You can also guess by the fat content. The fat content will be much higher in fried ramen (most brands that Americans love to eat) as opposed to air dried brands (which will be labeled air dried). The air dried brands are more expensive, but not a lot, and take a little while longer to cook.

I have bought the non-fried versions at Whole Foods, and at Asian grocery stores.

Thanks for that @Kardamom.
Non fried any day. I don’t even buy tuna packed in oil.

Good news. My dr. said that I have low blood pressure and he wants me to eat more sodium. Like ramen noodles that I love.