Hey friends! So, I have to confess… I’m totally obsessed with instant noodles. They’re my go-to comfort food, and I’m always looking for new ways to spice things up. Lately, I’ve been seeing this milk ramen hack all over Insta and TikTok, and I finally decided to give it a try. I first saw this hack in Jujutsu Kaisen, where they added milk to seafood cup noodles. If Miwa liked it, I thought, why not give it a shot?

At first, I was a little skeptical (I mean, milk in ramen??), but wow, it turned out amazing! The soup was so creamy with just the right amount of spice, and the addition of kimchi really gave it a tangy kick. Trust me, if you love ramen, you NEED to try this. Let’s get into the details!

Method

Prepare the Noodles

Start by cooking the noodles for about 2 minutes. At this point, the noodles should still be slightly undercooked because they will finish cooking in the milk later. This step ensures that your noodles don’t get too soft or mushy once combined with the creamy broth. So, don’t worry if they’re a bit firm at this stage; they will soak up all the delicious flavors in the next steps.

Reserve Noodle Water

Before draining the noodles, make sure to reserve about 1/4 cup of the noodle water. This step is important because the reserved water helps balance the richness of the milk and adds extra flavor to the dish. Set it aside to use later.

Sauté Garlic and Spring Onion

In a pot, heat a little oil over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add the minced garlic and the white parts of the spring onion. Cook them for about 1 minute, or until they’re fragrant. The garlic should start to release a savory aroma, and the spring onion will soften, creating the perfect base for the creamy broth.

Add Kimchi

Now it’s time to add the kimchi to the pot. Let it cook with the garlic and spring onion for about 2 minutes. The kimchi will warm up and release some of its tangy juices, which will enhance the overall flavor of your ramen broth. This step adds a nice punch of flavor to the otherwise creamy dish.

Pour in Milk and Seasonings

Once the kimchi has cooked for a bit, pour in the milk and the seasonings from your ramen packet. If you’re using ssamjang or gochujang for extra spice, add them in now as well. Stir everything together, making sure that the seasonings dissolve fully into the milk. This will create a creamy and flavorful broth base for your ramen.

Add the Noodles

Next, add the undercooked noodles into the pot along with the reserved noodle water. Give everything a gentle stir, then bring the mixture to a boil. As the liquid starts to bubble, the noodles will finish cooking in the creamy broth, soaking up all the flavors. Keep an eye on it to make sure the noodles cook evenly and the broth doesn’t boil over.

Top and Serve

Once the noodles are cooked to your liking, it’s time to make this dish even more special! Top your ramen with the green parts of the spring onion for a fresh crunch, a sprinkle of sesame seeds for some extra texture, and a drizzle of sesame oil for a rich, aromatic finish. These small additions will elevate the dish and make it look even more appetizing.

Necessary Tools

Pot
Spoon
Knife (for chopping garlic and spring onion)
Measuring cups and spoons

Milk Ramen Hack

Recipe by Justin SelkCuisine: Japanese, KoreanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

1 packet of spicy instant noodles (I used Shin Ramyun)
1/4-1/2 cup kimchi (optional but adds a nice tang)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 spring onion, thinly chopped
1/2 tbsp ssamjang (or gochujang, adjust to taste, optional)
1 1/3 cup milk (I used oat milk, but regular milk works too)
1/4 cup noodle water (optional, but helps balance the richness)

Directions

Cook the noodles for 2 minutes or until they’re just undercooked. They’ll cook more in the milk later, so don’t worry if they’re a little firm.
Reserve 1/4 cup of noodle water and set it aside. This helps to make the dish less heavy and adds flavor.
In a pot over medium heat, add a little oil, then cook the garlic and the whites of the spring onion until they’re fragrant. This should take about 1 minute.
Add the kimchi to the pot and let it cook for about 2 minutes. The kimchi gives the ramen a tangy punch, and it’s so tasty.
Pour in the milk and the seasonings from the ramen packet (and the ssamjang or gochujang if you’re using it). Stir everything together to make a creamy base for your ramen.
Add the undercooked noodles and the reserved noodle water into the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, and your noodles will finish cooking in the creamy broth.
Top with the green parts of the spring onion, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of sesame oil for extra flavor and a little something special.

Notes

Noodle Cooking Don’t cook your noodles all the way through in the beginning; they’ll soften more when you add them to the milk. It’s best to leave them just slightly undercooked.
Milk Sensitivity Be careful when adding the milk. Start with oat milk if you’re lactose intolerant or want a lighter option. Regular milk works fine, but oat milk will give it a slightly nutty flavor that complements the spicy broth.
Balance the Spice The ramen packet already has seasoning, so add ssamjang or gochujang only if you want extra spice or flavor. It can get pretty spicy!

Serving Suggestions

This milk ramen is super versatile, so you can add whatever toppings you like. Some of my favorite additions are

A fried egg on top for extra protein and richness
Sliced cheese for an even creamier texture
Cooked sausages for a savory bite
A dash of chili flakes for extra spice if you like it hot!

Fun Fact

Did you know that Jujutsu Kaisen helped popularize this ramen hack? The show had a huge impact on bringing new, creative ramen ideas to the spotlight. Miwa’s love for this combo made it a trend on social media, and now everyone’s trying it out!

Conclusion

This milk ramen hack is definitely a winner. It’s creamy, spicy, and just the perfect level of comforting. Whether you’re feeling a little lazy or just want something fun to eat, this is the perfect dish. Try it for yourself and let me know what you think!