Contrary to popular belief, you can eat ramen raw. However, it does depend on which ramen you mean.
When it comes to packaged and dry ramen that you need to add boiling water to ‘cook’ it, then feel free to eat it as a crunchy snack.
In fact, there are places in South Korea that market dry ramen as something delicious to eat. You are instructed to crush it, rather than boil it. By now, you might be wondering why it is okay to eat ramen raw.
Well, that is because it isn’t actually raw. Instant ramen noodles are essentially pre-cooked and dehydrated. You will need to add water to the noodles to bring back its moisture.
The ramen is then soft and easiest to eat, rather than crunchy and dry to swallow. This means that ramen is completely safe to eat straight out of the instant noodle packaging. To understand more about ramen, then read on!
What Are The Differences Between Fresh And Dry Instant Ramen Noodles?
The main difference between fresh and Instant Ramen Noodles is that one is precooked, and the other isn’t.
Fresh noodles are made and then cooked to eat, often there and then, and do not have a long shelf life. On the other hand, instant ramen noodles need to have water added to them to bring them back to life.
Dry instant ramen noodles also have a very long shelf life. Due to the way they are made and the added ingredients, ramen can live in your cupboard or pantry for months and months.
The textures are often different too, with fresh ramen having a springier texture. Often instant ramen noodles can be a little tougher. You may not notice the difference unless you have tried both.
Lastly, instant ramen noodles can be eaten raw, while you probably shouldn’t eat fresh noodles raw.
How Are Fresh Ramen Noodles Made?
Fresh ramen noodles are often served at restaurants. If you have been to a place that serves ramen noodles, then you may have eaten the fresh version. If so, there is a good chance you noticed how springy and chewy they were.
The reason for this is because fresh ramen noodles do not go through the dehydration process. They do not need to have a long shelf life, and instead will be eaten right away. This ensures that the texture is light and squishy.
There are different ingredients used to make fresh ramen noodles. For example, baking soda, water and flour, or even wheat and baking soda. Whatever ingredients are used, it will make a dough.
These are then cooked – but not dehydrated – and then served right away.
Are Fresh Ramen Noodles Okay To Eat Raw?
While it is not dangerous to eat fresh ramen noodles raw, it also isn’t 100 percent safe. Just like eating cookie dough or raw cake mix, they all come with their own risks due to raw ingredients. For example, eggs!
Even so, it is understandable that somebody might want to eat raw cake mix or cookie dough – they are sweet – raw ramen noodles do not taste very nice. In fact, they do not taste of much at all.
The texture will also be too soft and claggy in the mouth. You will not be able to enjoy the ramen noodles with the delicious broth either. While eating raw dry ramen noodles has that satisfying crunch, fresh noodles have absolutely nothing.
If you do have fresh raw ramen noodles, always cook them first. All it takes is boiling them in hot water.
How Are Dry Ramen Noodles Made?
You may have already guessed it, but ramen noodles are not raw. Instead, they are pre-cooked and just need boiling water to make them soft. It also adds a delicious soup too due to the packet of seasoning.
The process of making instant ramen has stayed the same since the 1950s. Water, salt, flour and an alkaline water called kansui are added together to form a dough. Kansui gives the ramen its yellowish color, and makes it springy and elastic.
The dough is kneaded and then rolled out. From here, thin strips are cut to create the ramen. It is then steamed to give the ramen its first step of being cooked.
After the steaming, the ramen noodles are blow dried or deep fried, depending on the manufacturer. This process removes moisture from the ramen to ensure it has a very long shelf life.
Once the above process has taken place, the noodles become fully dehydrated and ready to be packaged. This dehydration keeps them at a ‘cooked’ state, which means that they last a long time and are safe to eat.
However, it also means that without water the packaged ramen is just a brick of noodles.
How Can You Enjoy Eating Raw Dry Ramen Noodles?
If you want to try eating raw dry ramen noodles as a snack, then you may want to follow these easy steps!
First, crush the ramen noodles while the package is still unopened. You can use something heavy to crush them. However, if you want the pieces to be chunky and big, only hit the package three times.
Now open the package at the top. Retrieve the packet of dry soup and place half of the seasoning inside. It is important not to use it all, otherwise the ramen may taste quite salty.
Place your hand over the top to secure the ramen, and shake the packet to mix up the dry soup. The dry crushed ramen is now ready to be eaten as a snack.
Final Thoughts
Dry ramen can be eaten raw because it has already been through the cooking process. Many people actually enjoy eating ramen straight from the package, forgoing the boiling water step entirely.
The reason it is safe to eat is because ramen is often cooked and then dehydrated. Adding the boiling water is just to rehydrate the ramen so it is softer to eat.
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
- 16 Best Websites To Watch Japanese Movies With English Subtitles - May 11, 2023
- Is ZIPAIR The Best Airline For Traveling To Japan? - May 11, 2023
- Ryu Murakami Vs Haruki Murakami – Which One Should You Read? - May 11, 2023
