Beef ramen noodles are all the rage these days! But are they worth the hype?
Is beef ramen good? Beef ramen can be a nutritious meal but due to its high levels of sodium, saturated fat, and additives, it should be consumed in moderation. With different types of beef ramen and a variety of toppings, it’s easy to find one that suits your taste buds, allowing you to enjoy a yummy and filling meal.
In the rest of the blog, I will explore whether beef ramen is good, its pros and cons, and some recipies. Let’s slurp up the fun!
Types of Beef Ramen
Get ready to slurp on some savory goodness with beef ramen!
Beef ramen is a wheat noodle soup packed with flavor. Thanks to soy sauce or miso and a variety of quirky toppings – dried seaweed, kamaboko, and wood ear fungus! What more? The sliced beef gives an extra protein boost.
With four different types of beef ramen, each with its unique flavor and stock, there’s something for everyone to love. Here’s a quick overview of different beef ramen:
1. Salt Beef Ramen
The most traditional beef ramen dish is salt beef ramen. A lot of salt, chicken, beef, vegetables, fish, and seaweed is used to make the broth. This results in a stock that is light, transparent, and yellowish. And what about its toppings? Kamaboko and pickled plums are the most common toppings you will find!
2. Beef Bone Ramen
Preparing beef bone ramen takes a lot of time. It is prepared by boiling pork bones, fat, and tendons. This produces a broth that is highly murky and white in color. And for toppings and sides, you got beef slices and beni shoga (pickled ginger).
3. Shōyu Beef Ramen
Shōyu means Soy. Also, the noodles used in this ramen are a curly kind, unlike salt beef and beef bone ramen. Let’s know more about it. I’ll SHOYU the way!
Soy sauce is used to flavor the beef, and vegetable stock is used to make the ramen. This gives it a brown broth. And some of the common toppings for Shoyu beef ramen include boiled eggs, bean sprouts, spring onions, kamaboko, nori, and marinated bamboo shoots.
Miso Beef Ramen
The curly kind is used, but they are thicker than Shoyu noodles. Miso and beef are used to make this ramen. This results in a rich, nutty, and somewhat sweet soup.
Now wondering about the toppings?
Spicy bean paste, maize, leeks, onions, bean sprouts, ground pork, and cabbage are often used as toppings.
Without a doubt, beef ramen makes a yummy and filling lunch. You’d love the fresh aroma of veggies and juicy beef! Trust me. And if you do not trust me, then try me!
The Joys of Beef Ramen
Hey, try to ramen calm. And I’d now tell you about the several pros of beef ramen. Here you go:
1. Rich flavor
Beef ramen has a deep, savory flavor from slow-cooking beef bones and vegetables to make a broth. This makes it a satisfying and comforting dish.
2. Nutritious
Beef ramen can be a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, mainly if it includes vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, and bean sprouts.
3. Easy to Make
Although making traditional beef ramen from scratch can be time-consuming, many instant ramen kits and pre-made broths make it easy to prepare a quick and tasty meal.
4. Affordable
Beef ramen is a relatively inexpensive meal option, especially compared to eating out at a restaurant. It is also an excellent way to use up leftover vegetables or meat.
Why It’s Not Always a Good Idea?
Eating beef ramen comes with its own set of disadvantages. So before you turn into a hopeless ramen-tic, you must be aware of the risks. Here are a few:
1. Health Concerns
The risk of developing metabolic syndrome is 68% higher in people who consume ramen more than twice a week. Ingredients that have undergone extensive processing, such as salt and saturated fat, contribute to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and stroke.
2. Environmental Impact of Beef Production
Greenhouse gas emissions from beef production significantly impact climate change. Between 7% and 18% of the methane emissions from human-related activities worldwide come from ruminant cattle.
Popular Beef Ramen Recipes
There are plenty of delicious recipes for beef ramen that offer fantastic taste experiences. Here are some of my favorites!
1. Classic Beef Ramen
First up is the Classic Beef Ramen. To make this, get your pan hot and sear some thinly sliced beef until it’s nice and done. Then, pour beef broth and soy sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes.
Next, add garlic, ginger, and shiitake mushrooms. Cook the ramen noodles according to package instructions and add them to the broth. Then just top it off with green onions and an egg!
And voila! There’s your CLASSIC beef ramen all ready to be devoured!
2. Spicy Beef Ramen
Craving for some spice, are you? Well, I have something for you!
Start by heating up some chili oil in a pan. Add sliced beef, and then throw in some garlic, ginger, and bok choy. Pour in beef broth and soy sauce, a pinch of red pepper flakes, then cook some ramen noodles. Oh, what a delight! Top it off with scallions and sesame seeds.
And then? Dive straight into finishing it. And when you do, tell me how it tasted!
3. Creamy Beef Ramen
Get ready for this creamy treat!
Brown some beef cubes in a pot, then add sliced shiitake mushrooms and chopped onion. Pour beef broth and a can of coconut milk and let it simmer for a few minutes. Cook up some ramen noodles until they’re just right, then stir in miso paste and soy sauce. Serve with a soft-boiled egg and chopped cilantro.
I promise it will be creamy as ever!
4. Korean Beef Ramen
But hey, if you love Korean flavor, there’s something for you too!
Cook up some ground beef with garlic and ginger, and then add carrots and bell pepper. Pour beef broth, soy sauce, and gochujang paste. Then cook some ramen noodles. Top it off with green onions and sesame oil. Spice up your life with this Korean delight!
Final Thoughts
Beef ramen is like a rollercoaster ride – it has its ups and downs. On the one hand, the savory beef broth and tender meat are a flavor explosion in your mouth. On the other hand, it may not be the healthiest option out there since it may contribute to diabetes, heart disease, and more. Not to forget its environmental impacts.
But hey, sometimes you just have to indulge in a bowl of beefy goodness.
As for my opinion, I say go for it!
Give beef ramen a try and see for yourself if it’s worth the hype. And don’t stop there – try different types of ramen and explore the vast world of noodle soup. Classic, Spicy, Creamy, or Korean – you might just discover your new favorite dish!
