How to Upgrade Your Cup Noodles and Make It a Gourmet Meal

Cup noodles are a comfort food pantry staple in hundreds of homes—it’s quick to prepare, filling, delicious, and well-loved. You just have to add boiling water, let the noodles sit for a couple of minutes, add the dry spices and flavorings, and mix it all together!

Ever tried upgrading your cup noodles by throwing in a few extra ingredients? With a little experimentation and customization, cup noodles can be extra comforting and delicious. Here are some ideas!

Try This Creamy, Dreamy Cup Noodle Hack

Here’s a hack on how to instantly elevate a good, old bowl of cup noodles: add creamy ingredients to make it extra rich and flavorful, and use that broth to your advantage. Here are some ideas to try the next time you make it at home.

1. Crack an egg in it.

Try placing one egg in your bowl and giving it a swirl, mixing it well as you pour in the boiling water so everything melds together. Add your noodles and flavoring, and enjoy a thicker broth with lots of body and smooth creaminess. Alternatively, add a soft-boiled or hard-boiled egg as a topping to your cup noodles for extra protein.

2. Make your broth rich and creamy.

A trendy hack to elevating your cup noodles is an ingredient that may surprise you: mayonnaise! Its creaminess and buttery texture, as well its subtle savory flavor, will make your cup noodles reminiscent of a rich tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen dish. Use Lady’s Choice Real Mayonnaise for the real deal, and mix it well into your soup while it’s hot. Other add-ons you can explore are coconut milk, melted cheese, butter, or milk.

3. Spice it up.

Flavor, flavor, flavor! Are you the adventurous type? Bring out the sriracha, chili flakes, Japanese curry powder, or gochujang. Complement the spice and heat with fresh greens like steamed bok choy, broccoli, or fresh spring onions or leeks.

4. Don’t forget your protein.

Lastly, top of off with any meaty leftovers you may have sitting in your refrigerator: thinly sliced roast beef, roast pork, or shredded chicken. Beef with a sukiyaki cut will also work well as it can be thoroughly (and quickly) cooked in boiling broth along with your noodles.

Excited to try these new cup noodle hacks at home? Explore more recipes and tips at Lady’s Choice, and grab a jar the next time you shop for cup noodles at the grocery!