My 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Better Instant Ramen (It’s Already in Your Pantry)

Most people have instant ramen in their pantries. It has been a staple in many people’s lives since its invention in 1958. Even my 75-year-old mother reaches for instant ramen—whether it’s a seafood-flavored Nissin Cup Noodles or a packet of black garlic oil tonkotsu pork Nissin Instant Noodles—when she doesn’t feel like cooking from scratch. 

In a pinch, instant ramen is undeniably convenient and can squash a craving. However, to me it always feels more like a snack than a hearty, substantial meal.

If you’ve ever felt the same way, I have a great trick up my sleeve that levels up practically any instant ramen, turning it into a full meal rather than a snack. Go back to your pantry and grab a jar of peanut butter. 

Adding peanut butter to instant ramen isn’t a unique trick of mine. Incorporating peanut butter into noodles is common in Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Taiwanese cuisines. I’ve also enjoyed many bowls of ramen in restaurants from Seattle to Tokyo to Hong Kong, where peanut butter is an optional topping, or it’s already incorporated into the broth. SKIPPY, a well-known peanut butter brand, has even developed its very own peanut butter ramen recipe.

Peanut butter’s protein content and creaminess make instant ramen feel heartier and more satisfying, like a full meal rather than a quick snack. 

How To Add Peanut Butter To Your Instant Ramen

Ready to try this easy trick? It’s really simple. Cook your instant noodles as you normally would. Then, transfer just the noodles to a serving bowl. Add a dollop of peanut butter—a heaping tablespoon—to the hot broth and whisk until smooth and fully incorporated. Pour the creamy broth over your noodles.

Alternatively, stir the peanut butter directly into the cooked noodles to coat them. Then, you can either pour in the broth or enjoy the peanutty noodles on their own. I love crunchy peanut butter, but I won’t judge if you’re on team creamy peanut butter.

Tips for Serving Leveled-Up Instant Ramen

Drizzle chili crisp over the noodles to finish your upgraded instant ramen. I also love topping my peanut butter-enhanced instant noodles with a soft-boiled egg, chopped green onions, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds—white or black, or a mix of both. 

If you don’t have peanut butter handy or have a peanut allergy, substitute it with tahini, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter for a similar creamy texture.