There are few people who have not thought about trying a dry noodle or two while opening a package of instant ramen noodles. Hence, the question arises – “Can you eat dry ramen noodles?”.
You can technically eat dry ramen noodles without any water or broth, but it’s not going to be very satisfying or tasty. Ramen noodles are designed to be cooked in a soup or broth, and their flavor and texture will be much better that way. Without any liquid, the noodles will be dry, bland, and chewy.
Dry Ramen Noodles Can Be Eaten Dry as Well
Instant ramen has become one of the most popular fast food dishes due to its low cost and unbelievably easy preparation (for instance, in order to prepare Maruchan ramen, you won’t need more than five minutes). However, the human natural tendency to simplify things has led us to wonder whether this product can be eaten dry, and the answer is yes. Of course, eating them dry is not the right way, and you won’t see on any package the recommendation to consume them in this state, but some individuals find them tasty even when not cooked, and we will explore ways in which people eat them dry.
Are Dry Ramen Noodles Safe to Eat?
Of course, it is natural to ask first whether dry noodles are safe for consumption since we are not used to eating uncooked food in the twenty-first century. Due to the ingredients and process of preparation, dry noodles pose no danger to the human digestive system, and I will now state the reasons why:
- The dough for the majority of instant noodles is made with the same ingredients – flour, wheat, water, and salt. These ingredients by themselves are safe for consumption.
- Once the dough is kneaded and sliced into thin noodles, the pre-cooking process ensues. This is the crucial step that makes them safe for consumption even in a dry state. The pre-cooking process consists of dehydration since the raw dough is naturally moist. Without dehydration, the dough will quickly go bad. In order to remove moisture, the noodles are usually fried and left to dry. As a result, instant ramen noodles have a long expiration time and are free of any bacteria associated with moisture.
- Finally, packages of instant ramen noodles always contain two spice pouches which are completely safe to consume with any type of food and have a long expiration date as well.
People Consume Dry Noodles in a Few Different Ways
If you have started thinking about this issue just recently while ordering ramen from Amazon, know that people have thought a lot about it for some time now, and as a result, dry noodles can be turned into snacks or become an interesting crunchy addition to various recipes. Here are some of the most popular ways you can utilize dry ramen noodles.
| Snack | Dry noodles can be consumed right out of the package as a snack. Simply take the packaging and crush the noodles inside before opening it. Once the package is opened, take the pouches, sprinkle the crushed noodles, and stir everything thoroughly. You have officially prepared a snack in under a minute. |
| Salads | Dry noodles can be used as an ingredient in a lot of salads. Moreover, if you like additional crunchiness in your food, you can sprinkle any salad with crushed noodles. But, they act especially well as a substitute for dried bread which is an ingredient in many salads. |
| Breading | If you like to eat deep-fried things, crushed dried noodles can be used as a substitute for bread crumbs. |
| Topping | People have started sprinkling dried noodles over all kinds of dishes to add crunchiness and extra saltiness. |
Still, Dry Noodles Will Never Be as Good as Boiled
First of all, there is no accounting for tastes, but objectively speaking, dried noodles can never be as tasty as boiled. The fact is that dried noodles by themselves have just a salty taste. Seasoning adds more to the flavor, but dry noodles don’t absorb the flavors as well as boiled ones. And, of course, the true beauty of ramen comes from the toppings which are added after boiling, and it’s impossible to experience with dry noodles.
Be Moderate When Eating Dry Noodles as a Snack
This is another strong argument as to why you should at least microwave your ramen noodles. Dry noodles are rather light, and you will have the feeling that you can eat a ton of them (as is the case with any snack). Furthermore, when adding the incredibly low price, people can easily find themselves munching on copious amounts of noodles while watching TV. Unfortunately, this is not healthy at all as instant ramen contains a lot of sodium, and such food is one of the main reasons for obesity nowadays. On the other hand, boiled instant ramen noodles with toppings make a hearty meal, and most likely, one package will be enough to satiate your hunger.
If You Are Curious, There Is No Reason Why You Shouldn’t Try Dry Noodles
As stated, dry noodles are completely safe to eat, and if you are curious about what they taste like, they are most certainly available in your nearest store. However, keep in mind, above all, that you can easily get carried away, especially if you are eating them as a snack. They should not be a regular part of your diet, but there is nothing wrong with enjoying them from time to time – dry or boiled, it doesn’t matter.