Mayo Ramen, Creamy Instant Noodles Hack from TikTok

Mayo ramen is a savoury Japanese instant noodle dish that combines the intense flavour of ramen with the richness and creamy texture of Kewpie mayo.

We can vouch that the hype over this hack is well worth it. After all, a recipe doesn’t become viral online unless it's tasty. This recipe's sharp gain in popularity is social proof that mayo is good in ramen.

The original mayo ramen recipe is made of instant noodles, eggs, an instant spice pack, some mayo, and finely grated garlic. It's so simple, but TikTok's creamy ramen hack will delight your taste buds.

You'll never want to go back to regular noodles again. It's perfect for levelling up your late-night snacks.

Jump to:

• What does it taste like?
• Mayo Ramen Ingredients
• Toppings
• Cooking Tips
• Mayo Ramen Recipe | Kewpie Mayo Creamy Instant Noodles Hack
• Why has it become popular?

What does it taste like?

Some have said that mayo ramen has a consistency and taste similar to tonkotsu ramen broth. Meanwhile, others say the mayo ramen noodle dish is likened to carbonara pasta.

We think it's in the middle of the two dishes. It's rich but not as savoury as tonkotsu and not as creamy and cheesy as carbonara pasta.

Mayo Ramen Ingredients

Most of the ingredients required to create this dish are already in your home pantry and refrigerator, so you won't even need to visit the grocery store.

• 1 pack of instant noodles
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon mayo
• garlic
• spring onions

Instant noodles

Our recipe uses spicy shin ramyun, but it will work equally well with a non-spicy broth version.

We recommend using either miso-based or chicken-flavoured instant noodles. The broth will blend better into a rich and creamy sauce when mixed with the mayonnaise.

The original version used was the Nissin Sapporo Miso Ramen. However, you can use your favourite instant noodle packets from your pantry.

Mayonnaise

The Japanese Kewpie Mayo is a healthier version of regular mayonnaise. It contains only egg yolks and rice vinegar. Unlike other brands, the traditional recipe contains no sugar or additives. So, to get the same taste as the original mayo ramen hack, get yourself a bottle of Kewpie Mayo. 

However, since we're outside Japan and didn't have Japanese mayonnaise, we used regular mayo for this ramen hack. Does it still work? Yes.

Adding regular mayo will result in a broth with a sweeter consistency. However, it won't be as creamy and have the same umami depth as the Japanese mayo adds to the broth. 

Nevertheless, making mayo ramen with regular mayo is worth it.

Garlic

Make sure to chop, mince or grate the garlic finely before adding it raw into the hot noodle broth. This is important for two reasons. 

Firstly, it enhances the flavour profile of your dish. Secondly, hot water will not only cook but also mellow down any raw garlic taste that might be present in a sauce.

Toppings

A soft-boiled egg is the perfect topping for this creamy noodles recipe. Some mayo ramen Tiktok recipes also suggest cracking a raw egg into the broth and mixing it, which creates an even more eggy and creamy broth.

However, we don't think it's necessary since you're already adding a raw egg to the broth. We prefer to keep it separate to have different textures in the dish.

Like other instant noodle recipes, you can add different toppings to further diversify the creamy ramen hack. Proteins such as tofu, fish cakes, shredded chicken, or char siu would be great additions. This noodle dish would also go well with steamed vegetables like tender-stem broccoli, mushrooms, and spinach.

Garnishing the bowl with chopped chives, seaweed, and sesame will also create a perfect finish for the Japanese instant noodles with mayonnaise meal. 

Cooking Tips

Although this mayo ramen recipe is easy to make, here are a few things you need to know.

Do not overcook the noodles. If left in boiling water for too long, they will become soggy and lose the firm texture most people like.

Make sure to pour some of the water from cooking the noodles into the broth. This adds flavour to the soup and helps create a thicker consistency.

If you prefer a drier instant noodle, you can use less water. However, we would also suggest reducing the amount of the spice pack you use. The less water you use, the more concentrated the sauce will be, and it can become very salty.

Why has it become popular?

The original creator was the popular YouTuber Harapeko Grizzly (はらぺこグリズリー) from Japan, who posted his "hack" online to share it with others across the world. Other content creators on YouTube and TikTok later discovered it.

By the time you know it, this mayo ramen hack has become viral and is now the craze among many instant noodle lovers.

This creamy instant noodle hack became so popular because it is a straightforward and cheap way to make your home noodle dish more delicious. It requires just a few ingredients but takes the standard broth from boring and bland into something creamy. 

This hack may never compare to fresh noodles prepared at some of the best Japanese restaurants in town, but it is a quick and affordable way to transform instant noodles to as close to those rich, fresh flavours as you'd like. So, if all you have is a packet or two on hand (and most households do!), this hack will elevate them enough so they don't seem so plain anymore.

If you’ve been craving an upgrade to instant noodles, this creamy ramen hack from TikTok is just what you’ve been looking for. To make it work, you only need a packet of your favourite brand of noodles and a few other common kitchen ingredients. It is quick to make at home and does not cost a fortune to enjoy a bowl of creamy umami goodness.

Did you try making your own bowl of mayo ramen at home? If so, share a photo of your bowl with us by tagging us on Instagram at @honestfoodtalks

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Looking for another viral dish to try making at home? Check out our Tanghulu recipe, which has gotten the attention of many ASMR enthusiasts.