Author:Aura RuggeriPublished: April 11, 2023 (Updated: October 12, 2023)
This article was fact checked and it's 100% helpful.
Ramen is a very popular dish both in Japan and across the world. It is delicious to eat and can be made fresh or by adding water to dehydrated noodles.
Whatever way you like to eat noodles, there are some particular vegetables that taste amazing with ramen. From green onions and spinach, to ‘nira’ and other Japanese favorites.
If you are wondering what veggies go in ramen, then you have come to the right place. Here we shall take a look at some of the common veggies used, as well as some interesting Japanese ingredients that are also added.
What Actually Is Ramen?
Ramen is a type of noodle soup which originated in Japan. It includes noodles, veggies and meat that are bathed in a rich and delicious broth. However, you can eat ramen without the meat if you are vegetarian.
Ramen is often sold within a dehydrated package, however you can eat fresh ramen in restaurants. If you buy the dehydrated kind, you need to add hot water.
If you go to Japan, you will notice many restaurants and food places that serve ramen dishes.
While it is considered to be a fast food, many places still offer this warming and tasty meal. You can even find it being sold by street vendors too. It can often make a quick snack or light lunch.
Can You Eat Ramen Dry?
Many people enjoy eating dehydrated ramen dry without adding hot water to make them soft. Because the ramen has been cooked and then dehydrated, it is safe to eat.
The reason people enjoy eating dry ramen is because it makes a crunchy and delicious snack. All you need to do is hit something heavy onto an unopened package of ramen to break up the pieces.
It should only take three hits to create bite sized chunks. Open the package and find the seasoning. Open the seasoning and add in half to the package. Any more and the seasoning will be too strong on dry ramen.
Hold the end closed and shake the package. The dry ramen is now ready to be eaten.
Why Add Veggies To Ramen?
While you might want to eat ramen on its own with the broth, adding veggies makes the dish healthier by adding in nutrients and vitamins. It also creates an all-round dish too that can be eaten for lunch or dinner.
Veggies also add in a different texture, as well as extra flavor. Adding different types of vegetables also adds a variety of colors to the dish too. Ramen is generally neutral in color and that includes the broth.
What Veggies Go With Ramen?
Here are some of the veggies that go well with ramen:
Green Onions
Green onions add a strong delicious taste to your ramen dish. They are also commonly used throughout many Japanese dishes. It is no wonder either as they have so much flavor.
Green onions contain vitamins A and K which are great for the hair, skin and nails, as well as helping to lower blood pressure.
Spinach
Spinach is another Japanese favorite when it comes to ramen toppings. It adds a deep green color as well as a wonderful taste.
Spinach is also very high in iron which is needed to keep your red blood cells healthy. This is in order to carry oxygen to your muscles and the rest of your body.
It is also great for hormones too.
Shiraga Negi
Also known as ‘white haired’ green onion. This part of the onion is the white bit at the top. It is shredded to become a tasty topping.
To add this to a dish it must be shredded in a particular way. Often this is at an angle to create extra flavor. It has the same health benefits as the rest of the onion too.
Leek
Also known as ‘nira’ in Japanese, this kind of veggie goes perfect with shio and tonkotsu ramen. These dishes include miso paste and soy sauce, as well as pork trotters and hock.
Leeks are known to be very rich in antioxidants, but in particular flavonoids. They have anti-inflammatory properties.
Bean Sprout
Bean sprouts are very common in Asian cooking. Luckily they are delicious too! Adding bean sprouts to a soft and wet dish like ramen means you get some crunchiness. However not everyone enjoys the fact the bean sprouts like to soak up the broth.
They do offer many health benefits because they include vitamin C, iron and calcium. They have a huge source of antioxidants too which can help to protect your cells from damage.
Carrot
Carrots are another source of vitamin C but also carotene which is great for keeping the eyes healthy. However, spoiler alert, they will not help you see in the dark.
Even so, carrots add a wonderful crunch to the dish and have a slightly sweet taste too. This pairs well with the broth.
Cabbage
Cabbage is another green vegetable that is used as a topping for ramen. Not only does it add a crunch to your ramen dish, but it includes some great health benefits too.
These include vitamins C and K, as well as plenty of fiber. Fiber is great for if you want to stay regular when it comes to using the toilet.
Sweetcorn
Sweet corn adds some sweetness to a ramen dish without being too powerful. It also adds a different texture too.
The great thing about fiber is that it is another vegetable that is high in fiber which is great for your digestive system. Also, fiber naturally keeps you feeling full for much longer too.
Final Thoughts
If you are wanting to make your own ramen dish, then you may be wondering what veggies compliment the noodles. Fortunately there are many different types of vegetables that can be added to a ramen recipe.
Not only that, adding veggies also means that you can eat the noodles while also benefiting from some healthy nutrients and vitamins.
Hi, I’m Aura Ruggeri and I want to make sure that no one makes the same mistake that I did.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Japan anytime soon, do exactly that - plan! Read up on all of the amazing things to do here to make the most of your time. I can bet that you’ll still return home feeling like you could’ve explored much more.
