Craving a fiery, flavorful bowl of comfort? This Spicy Korean Ramen recipe is your answer. In just about 20 minutes, you can transform a simple package of instant noodles into a restaurant-quality meal, bursting with the bold, savory, and spicy flavors of Korea. It’s the perfect quick dinner or satisfying lunch for any day of the week.
We’re taking instant ramen to the next level with a rich, umami-packed broth made from gochujang, gochugaru, and a few other pantry staples. Forget the plain old seasoning packet; this homemade soup base is what makes this dish truly special. It’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Korean Ramen Recipe
- Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, this entire meal comes together in about 20 minutes, making it faster than takeout.
- Rich & Flavorful Broth: We build a deeply savory and spicy broth using authentic Korean ingredients that are surprisingly easy to find.
- Completely Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic base. You can easily add your favorite proteins, vegetables, and toppings to make it your own. Check out our variations section for ideas!
- Budget-Friendly: It’s a gourmet-tasting meal that is incredibly affordable to make at home.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Bowl
The heart of this Spicy Korean Ramen is its broth. Here’s what you’ll need to create that signature flavor:
For the Broth & Noodles:
- Instant Ramen Noodles: Choose your favorite brand. We recommend one with thicker noodles that can stand up to the hearty broth. Discard the included seasoning packet.
- Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste): This is the star of the show. It provides a deep, savory, slightly sweet, and spicy flavor.
- Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes): Adds a vibrant red color and a layer of smoky, fruity heat that is distinct from other chili flakes.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: For that essential umami and savory saltiness.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty, aromatic finish.
- Minced Garlic & Ginger: These aromatics build the foundational layer of flavor for our broth.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Use a low-sodium broth to better control the saltiness of the final dish.
Essential Toppings:
- Soft-Boiled Egg: The creamy yolk adds incredible richness that perfectly balances the spice.
- Green Onions: For a fresh, sharp bite.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: Adds a nutty flavor and a bit of texture.
How to Make Spicy Korean Ramen Step-by-Step
Making this dish is as easy as boiling water. Follow these simple steps for a perfect bowl every time.
- Prepare the Aromatics: In a medium pot or Dutch oven, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Build the Broth: Stir in the gochujang and gochugaru, cooking for another minute to bloom the spices. Pour in the broth and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
- Cook the Noodles: Add the instant ramen noodles to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions, usually about 3-4 minutes, until just tender.
- Add Final Touches: While the noodles cook, you can wilt in some spinach or add other quick-cooking vegetables.
- Serve and Garnish: Carefully transfer the noodles and broth to a large bowl. Top with a soft-boiled egg, a generous sprinkle of sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Tips for Success and Delicious Variations
Want to elevate your ramen game? Here are a few tips and creative ideas to try.
Tips for the Best Ramen:
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Ramen noodles cook quickly. It’s best to keep them slightly al dente, as they will continue to cook in the hot broth.
- Toast Your Sesame Seeds: If your sesame seeds aren’t already toasted, toast them in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes over medium heat. It makes a huge difference in flavor. For another nutty and delicious recipe, try these Korean BBQ Meatballs.
- Control the Spice: You can easily adjust the heat by increasing or decreasing the amount of gochujang and gochugaru. Start with less and add more to taste.
Delicious Variations:
- Add Protein: Make it a more substantial meal by adding sliced chicken, tofu, or even some leftover steak. For a great chicken recipe, check out this Boursin Chicken.
- Load Up on Veggies: Stir in mushrooms, bok choy, spinach, or corn for extra nutrients and texture.
- Make It Creamy: For a richer, creamier broth, stir in a slice of American cheese or a splash of heavy cream at the end. It sounds unusual, but it’s a popular and delicious addition in Korea! If you love creamy dishes, this Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta (coming soon) is another must-try.
Absolutely! To make it vegetarian, use vegetable broth and top with a soft-boiled egg. For a vegan version, use vegetable broth and add pan-fried tofu or mushrooms instead of an egg.
To make the ramen less spicy, simply reduce the amount of gochujang and gochugaru. Start with half the recommended amount and adjust to your taste. You can also add a splash of cream or a slice of American cheese to add richness and cut the heat.
It’s best to store the broth and noodles separately to prevent the noodles from getting mushy. Store both in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the broth on the stovetop until simmering, then add the noodles and toppings.
While any instant ramen noodles will work, we recommend using a Korean brand like Shin Ramyun or Samyang, as their noodles are typically thicker and chewier, which holds up well in the spicy broth.
The possibilities are endless! Some popular additions include kimchi, sliced mushrooms, bok choy, corn, shredded carrots, or a slice of American cheese for extra creaminess.
Absolutely! To make it vegetarian, use vegetable broth and top with a soft-boiled egg. For a vegan version, use vegetable broth and add pan-fried tofu or mushrooms instead of an egg.
To make the ramen less spicy, simply reduce the amount of gochujang and gochugaru. Start with half the recommended amount and adjust to your taste. You can also add a splash of cream or a slice of American cheese to add richness and cut the heat.
It’s best to store the broth and noodles separately to prevent the noodles from getting mushy. Store both in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the broth on the stovetop until simmering, then add the noodles and toppings.
While any instant ramen noodles will work, we recommend using a Korean brand like Shin Ramyun or Samyang, as their noodles are typically thicker and chewier, which holds up well in the spicy broth.
The possibilities are endless! Some popular additions include kimchi, sliced mushrooms, bok choy, corn, shredded carrots, or a slice of American cheese for extra creaminess.
Enjoy Your Homemade Ramen!
This Spicy Korean Ramen recipe is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a cold evening or satisfy a craving for something deeply flavorful and comforting. We know you’ll love how easy and delicious it is. If you make it, please leave a comment below and share your creation on Pinterest!
Spicy Korean Ramen: A Quick & Authentic Recipe
This Spicy Korean Ramen recipe transforms instant noodles into a gourmet meal in 20 minutes. Featuring a rich, homemade broth with gochujang and gochugaru, it's the perfect quick, flavorful, and customizable dish for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium pot or Dutch oven, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the gochujang and gochugaru, cooking for another minute to bloom the spices. Pour in the broth and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
- Add the instant ramen noodles to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions, usually about 3-4 minutes, until just tender.
- Carefully transfer the noodles and broth to a large bowl. Top with a soft-boiled egg, a generous sprinkle of sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Notes
Don't Overcook the Noodles: Keep noodles slightly al dente as they will continue to cook in the hot broth.
Control the Spice: Adjust the amount of gochujang and gochugaru to your personal preference.
Get Creative: Feel free to add proteins like chicken or tofu, and vegetables like mushrooms or bok choy.
Spicy Korean Ramen: A Quick & Authentic Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium pot or Dutch oven, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the gochujang and gochugaru, cooking for another minute to bloom the spices. Pour in the broth and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
- Add the instant ramen noodles to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions, usually about 3-4 minutes, until just tender.
- Carefully transfer the noodles and broth to a large bowl. Top with a soft-boiled egg, a generous sprinkle of sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
Notes
Control the Spice: Adjust the amount of gochujang and gochugaru to your personal preference.
Get Creative: Feel free to add proteins like chicken or tofu, and vegetables like mushrooms or bok choy.
