Ramen is a type of noodle soup that is particularly popular in Japanese cuisine. For many people, ramen is the obvious option when preparing a budget-friendly meal. These noodles are not only tasty and easy to prepare, but ramen is also extremely inexpensive.
You may be wondering why this food is extremely cheap. There are numerous reasons for the low cost of ramen, including its cheap ingredients. In this guide, we take a look at some of the main reasons why ramen has become so affordable.
Why Is Ramen Cheap?
1. It Is Inexpensive To Produce
Perhaps the main reason why ramen is so cheap is because of its low production cost. Manufacturers will only need to use a few ingredients, such as eggs, water, wheat flour, and salt. MSG (Monosodium glutamate) may also be used, which refers to a cheap type of flavor enhancer.
The low number of ingredients will keep the costs low. Not to mention, these ingredients are cheap, especially when purchased in bulk. Even when toppings and spices are added to ramen, they tend to be fairly inexpensive.
Many manufacturers will also use palm oil to produce ramen. This is a form of vegetable oil that is known for its cheap price. There is a large supply of palm oil, which has made it a low-price ingredient.
2. Ramen Is Perfect For Mass Production
Ramen manufacturers tend to mass produce this food, meaning that they can prepare it in large quantities. This method of production keeps costs low, as the assembly line will require fewer workers. As a result, the labor cost is low.
In addition, ramen is far from difficult to make. Therefore, companies will not need to invest in expensive equipment to produce ramen.
Another benefit of mass production for the ramen industry is that manufacturers can sell the product in bulk. This means that they will sell a large number of ramen at once.
Invented in the 1950s by Momofuku Ando, instant ramen was the perfect candidate for mass production. As a result, instant ramen rapidly became popular across Asia and eventually spread throughout the world.
3. There Is Large Demand For Ramen
Lots of households will regularly consume ramen. Ramen appeals to a significant number of people, meaning that there is a large demand for this food. It is consumed by rich and poor people alike.
Businesses do not need to be concerned about marketing ramen, as people will continue to purchase it regardless. Additionally, manufacturers will not need to target specific marketing groups. This has meant that ramen is fuss-free and affordable to sell.
Ramen is also fantastically filling. You will likely feel full after you have eaten a bowl of ramen. This has kept the price of the food low as you will not need to buy a large portion of ramen to make a meal.
4. It Has A Long Use-By-Date
Packets of instant ramen tend to have a long use-by-date. Most instant ramen packets will have a shelf life of at least 8 months, but they can often last for as long as 2 years. Of course, you should pay attention to the expiration date on the packet when using these noodles.
The explanation for why ramen keeps for so long is that it has been dried by the manufacturers. Instant noodles will contain minimal water to keep them as dry as possible.
This long use-by-date has helped to keep the cost of ramen cheap. Ramen is unlikely to go off due to this extended shelf life, meaning that it can be shipped and purchased in bulk.
5. Ramen Is Light
The final reason why ramen is such a budget-friendly food is that it does not weigh much. This may seem like a strange explanation for the cheap price of ramen, but its lightweight quality means that ramen can be easily shipped and transported.
As a result, ramen manufacturers will not have to pay heavy shipping fees when transporting ramen. It can be shipped in bulk for a low price. As a consequence, the retail price of ramen is minimal.
How Can You Improve Ramen?
Though instant ramen is affordable, you may be reluctant to eat it often since the taste can be somewhat bland. Luckily, there are several ways that you can boost the flavor of your ramen, such as by adding these ingredients:
- Top the ramen with an egg. This is a simple and cheap topping that will boost your protein intake.Use spices to give the ramen a little more flavor.
- To increase the nutritional value of ramen, add a wide variety of vegetables. Vegetables such as mushrooms, cabbage, celery, bok choy, carrots, and scallions will make a particularly great match.
- To make the dish a little more filling, add meats such as chicken breasts, beef, or pork to the ramen dish. Like eggs, this meat is a good way of increasing the protein content of ramen.
- You can also try adding sauces to the noodles. Some of the sauces that best complement ramen include chili sauce, soy sauce, and sriracha.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ramen is not considered a particularly healthy food. Though it is a decent source of iron, ramen contains hardly any protein, fiber, or vitamins. Not to mention, it can be quite high in calories, carbohydrates, and salt.
While instant ramen is a cheap meal, you should not eat it too regularly. Instead, it should be reserved as an occasional treat. We do not recommend having ramen more than two times per week.
Ramen noodles and pasta are both considered cheap foods, as they are both inexpensive to produce. These two foods are often sold for similar prices.
Final Thoughts
If you want to make some cost-effective meals, ramen is an excellent option. Its cheap price means that you can make it for lunch or dinner without spending much money.
Not to mention, you can easily elevate your instant noodles by adding just a few ingredients. This allows you to make a magnificent meal that remains budget-friendly.
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.
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