So let’s face it: Ramen noodles are definitely not health food. However, they’re quick, easy and extremely cheap. Whether you’re looking to add some more flavor to your noodles or add some nutrition, Serious Eats has got you covered. Take a look at some of their best Ramen Noodle hacks:

Simple Add-ins

• Thai curry paste
• Chili bean sauce
• Vinegar
• Spices (i.e. white pepper, chili flakes, a cinnamon stick, etc.)
• Citrus juice (a quick squeeze of lemon of lime juice right before serving)

Vegetation

• Quick cooking veggies like baby spinach, romaine lettuce, bean sprouts, and scallions can be added to the soup right before serving. They will wilt quickly and add some nutrition to your cup of noodles.
• Longer cooking veggies, like broccoli, cauliflowers, snap peas, shredded carrots, etc., can be added to the noodles as they’re cooking.
• Frozen veggies, like corn and peas, can be thawed (under running hot water for 30 seconds or so) and then drained and added directly to hot soup.

Eggs

Since Ramen are basically starch and fat, it might help to add in a little protein. Try some of these techniques:

• Hard Boiled Eggs: add eggs to a pot of cold water and bring to a boil. Then drop in your noodles. The eggs should be hard boiled in about the same time it takes the ramen to cook through.
• Soft Boiled Eggs: drop eggs into the pot after the water has come to a full boil. Pull out after 3-5 minutes. Cut the eggs open and stir the yolk into the broth as you eat.
• The Egg-Drop Method: create your own version of egg drop soup!
  

  […] creates small curds of egg blossoms that float in the broth and coat your noodles. Lightly beat an egg in a small bowl. Once your noodles are cooked, swirl the noodles and hot broth gently around the pot. While the broth is moving, slowly drizzle in the beaten egg. It should set into fine ribbons.

Find more creative ideas over at Serious Eats’ highly enjoyable article, Ramen Hacks: 30+ Ways to Upgrade Your Instant Noodles.