The Best Yumblink Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
I recently came across a delicious ramen fried rice recipe from @doobydobap, and I knew I had to try it with my own twist! I had some leftover Spam and kimchi, so I added those to the mix, and it turned out crispy and flavorful, especially with those crunchy noodle bits. This recipe brings back memories of my childhood when I used to eat Mamee Meen straight from the packet, crushing the noodles and shaking the seasoning packet for an easy snack . If you’re a fan of ramen, Spam, and kimchi, this dish is a must-try!
Method
1. Preparing the Noodles
Start by opening the cup of ramen and keeping the seasoning packet aside for later use. If the noodles come with any extra items like dried mushrooms or spring onions, I recommend removing them as they may burn when roasting the noodles. Once the extras are removed, add the noodles to a bowl and crush them into smaller pieces. This will give them that signature crispy texture when they’re fried. Set them aside for now.
2. Roasting the Noodles
Next, heat a pan on medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil (I used vegetable oil). Once the oil is heated, toss in the crushed noodles. Stir occasionally to ensure all pieces cook evenly, turning golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning. Once the noodles are crispy, remove the pan from the heat and transfer the noodles to a bowl. Sprinkle 1/3 of the ramen seasoning packet over the noodles and toss them to coat evenly. Set them aside for later.
3. Preparing the Rice Mixture
In a separate medium-sized bowl, add your day-old rice, a beaten egg, and some kimchi juice to taste. Use a spoon or spatula to thoroughly mix these ingredients until they’re well combined. The egg will help bind the rice together, while the kimchi juice will infuse the rice with some tangy flavor.
4. Cooking the Spam and Kimchi
Heat a little more oil in the pan over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped Spam. Fry it until it turns golden and slightly crispy. This should only take about 3-5 minutes. Once the Spam is crispy, add the chopped kimchi to the pan and cook for 30-40 seconds. This allows the kimchi to warm up and become aromatic, adding depth of flavor to your fried rice.
5. Combining the Rice and Spam-Kimchi Mixture
Now, add the rice mixture to the pan with the Spam and kimchi. Spread the rice evenly across the pan, allowing it to cook for a few minutes and get slightly crispy at the bottom. This step adds texture to the fried rice. Once the rice is slightly crisped, stir everything together to combine the Spam, kimchi, and rice mixture. This ensures that each grain of rice is coated with the savory, crispy bits from the Spam and kimchi.
6. Adding the Crispy Noodles
Once the rice has been mixed thoroughly, it’s time to add the crispy noodles you prepared earlier. Gently fold the crispy noodles into the rice, making sure to mix them well. The noodles will stay crunchy, adding a delightful texture to the dish. Be gentle while stirring to maintain that crispy texture.
7. Final Touches
In the cup that originally held the ramen noodles, drizzle in some sesame oil and sprinkle sesame seeds to add a nutty flavor. Now, carefully pack the fried rice and crispy noodles into the cup, pressing it down slightly to create a compact serving. Once packed, place a plate (or a bowl, which I recommend) on top of the cup and carefully flip it over to serve. The result is a beautiful, neatly presented mound of crispy fried rice, ready to be devoured.
Necessary Tools
- Medium-sized bowl
- Frying pan
- Spoon or spatula for stirring
- A plate or bowl for flipping the fried rice
Ramen Fried Rice With Spam And Kimchi
Cuisine: Korean, Chinese, AmericanDifficulty: EasyServings
2
servingsPrep time
15
minutesCooking time
20
minutesTotal time
35
minutesIngredients
1 cup of ramen (I used Nongshim Shin Ramyun)
About 2 cups of day-old rice (short-grain works best)
1 egg
Kimchi juice (to taste)
Spam, chopped into small pieces
1/2 cup kimchi, chopped
2 spring onions, minced
1 tsp sesame oil
Sesame seeds (for garnish)
1 fried egg (to top)
Neutral oil (for frying)
Directions
- Open the cup of noodles, keeping the seasoning packet aside. If the noodles come with any extras like dried mushrooms or spring onions, remove them (they might burn during roasting). Add the noodles to a bowl and crush them.
- Heat a pan on medium-high heat and add 1 tbsp of neutral oil (I used vegetable oil). Toss in the crushed noodles and cook until they turn golden brown, stirring occasionally to ensure all pieces cook evenly. Once crispy, remove from heat and place in a bowl. Add 1/3 of the seasoning packet to coat the noodles and set aside.
- In another bowl, combine your rice, egg, and kimchi juice. Mix it all together.
- Heat up some more oil in a pan on high heat. Add the chopped Spam and fry until it’s golden and slightly crispy. Then, add in the chopped kimchi and cook for 30-40 seconds.
- Now, add the rice mixture into the pan, spreading it evenly. Let it sit for a bit to get a little crispy at the bottom.
- Once the rice has slightly crisped, stir everything together and then add the crispy noodles. Mix it all together, making sure the noodles and rice are well combined.
- In the cup from the noodles, drizzle sesame oil and sprinkle sesame seeds. Pack in the fried rice and crispy noodles. Place a plate (or a bowl, like I recommend) on top of the cup and carefully flip it over to serve.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan When frying the Spam, give it space in the pan so it can get crispy. If you crowd the pan, it will steam instead of crisping up.
- Stir the noodles often When cooking the noodles to crisp up, make sure to stir regularly to ensure all pieces turn golden brown without burning.
- Adjust seasoning The seasoning packet for the ramen is flavorful but can be salty, so use it sparingly. You can always add more, but it’s harder to take it out once it’s in.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this dish with a fried egg on top for an extra layer of flavor and richness.
- Pair with some extra kimchi on the side for that perfect tangy kick!
- If you like spice, add a bit of gochujang or hot sauce for some extra heat.
Fun Fact
Did you know that kimchi, a staple in Korean cuisine, is not only super tasty but also packed with probiotics? It’s good for your gut health and gives this fried rice a nice tangy punch!
Conclusion
This Ramen Fried Rice with Spam and Kimchi is a perfect mix of crispy, savory, and tangy flavors, with that nostalgic crunch of noodles that I can’t get enough of. It’s a quick, easy, and delicious meal that’s great for using up leftovers, and you can always tweak it to your liking. Whether you’re a ramen lover or just someone who loves a good fried rice, this recipe is one to try out!
