The Fruity Ingredient You Should Start Adding To Ramen

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Ramen, in addition to being a yummy meal, is also the food that we can't stop playing with in the kitchen. There's the ramen "pizza" hack that upgrades a classic college meal, for one, and then there are the many ways to kick your soupy bowl up a notch, like floating soy-marinated eggs on top or adding some TikTok-beloved secret ingredients to your instant ramen. Turns out, however, that a major player in achieving ramen nirvana was sitting in your pantry all along. Adding coconut milk to your bowl will give the meal creaminess and delicious heft, along with a craveable, slightly nutty flair.

How much coconut milk you use and when to add it to your ramen are both up for interpretation, depending on the degree to which you want to enhance its taste and texture. Many folks use coconut milk as a finishing ingredient, stirring in about half a cup after the ramen is cooked for a tropical punch and silky finish. Alternatively, you could sub a bit of coconut milk for the water (or any other liquid) in which you cook your ramen to really allow the flavor to permeate your noodles and broth. Full-fat coconut milk will give you the most satisfying mouthfeel and contributes to a heartier meal. 

This should go without saying, but make sure your can of coconut milk is unsweetened, like this organic quart carton by Pacific Foods that gives you enough of the stuff for plenty of servings! This hack works great for those diners avoiding dairy, although coconut milk is a delicious add-in for all sorts of omnivores.

You will find that coconut milk is especially delicious in ramen broths that are curry-based or otherwise have spicy ingredients. Creamy coconut milk tames fiery flavors to some extent, leaving behind a mellow heat that you'll love. We love to build complex Asian flavors with some chilis or curry paste, a sweetener (try brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup), soy sauce, and coconut milk. Feel free to pile on the veg, protein(s), and any other toppings that make you happy.

An inexpensive weeknight dinner of ramen might consist of quick-cooked ground poultry and a couple handfuls of whatever greens you have lying around the fridge, perhaps drizzled with some Sichuan chili crisp on top for those who like to sweat a little! Egg is always a welcome addition in ramen, so if you have some hard-boiled eggs in your fridge, go ahead and slice them to bulk up a satisfying and filling entrée.

Trying to suit a vegan palate with a quick ramen recipe? How about some crispy fried tofu, meaty shiitake mushrooms, garlic, and ginger all kissed with the smooth denseness of coconut milk to drag your noodles through? As you can see, coconut milk is a seriously versatile base for DIY ramen recipes that can satisfy practically whoever is around your table. Many ways that you already enjoy ramen will be taken over the top with a splash of coconut milk, so don't be hesitant to experiment.