5-Minute Cup Ramen Fried Rice: The Shin Ramyun Hack
Cup ramen fried rice is one of the easiest and fastest Korean cup noodles hacks you can make at home! And if you love Shin Ramyun, you’re going to love today’s recipe. In just 5 minutes, you can turn a simple instant cup noodles into an insanely delicious cup ramen fried rice packed with spicy Shin Ramyun flavor.
This recipe is perfect for busy students, late-night cravings, or anyone who wants a quick Korean meal without any complicated ingredients or cooking skills. Ready to cook the fastest and tastiest viral K-Food ever? Let’s get started!
What Is Cup Ramen Fried Rice?
Cup Ramen Fried Rice is a quick, savory fried rice dish made by stir-frying cooked rice with crushed instant noodles and their seasoning. The ramen powder infuses every grain of rice with deep umami flavor. We enhance this by creating aromatic scallion and adding egg for richness. The resulting dish is so surprisingly delicious, you won’t believe it started as a humble cup of ramen. The unique texture created by the crispy-soft ramen noodles mixed with the rice is truly addictive.
- A Popular Pocha Menu: While this cup ramen fried rice makes a great quick meal, this salty and flavorful dish is also the perfect accompaniment for drinks (known as anju). Because of this, it is often featured as a sought-after menu item in Korean bars, especially in casual Korean drinking spots called Pocha (포차).
Why Shin Ramyun Cup Makes the Best Version
While you can technically use any instant cup ramen you have on hand, we highly recommend using Shin Ramyun. The unique, signature spicy kick of Shin Ramyun adds a layer of depth and savory umami that prevents the fried rice from tasting bland or heavy. It gives the dish a complex, satisfying flavor that you can eat without getting tired of it.
- Tip: If you prefer a non-spicy version, you can easily substitute it with a mild flavor cup ramen, such as Jin Ramen Mild.
Why This Recipe Works
- Instant Ramen Seasoning = The Complete Flavor Bomb: The ramen seasoning packet is a perfectly balanced seasoning blend. It eliminates the need for extra sauces, salt, or spices, creating the ultimate Easy Korean Fried Rice flavor base instantly.
- The 90ml Water: We only add about 90ml of water, just enough to barely cover and soften the noodles. This ensures two things: 1) The seasoning fully soaks into the noodles, and 2) When stir-fried, the dish will not be watery or soggy, maintaining the perfect texture.
- The Delicious Fried Rice Formula: We follow the golden rule of great fried rice: Scallion oil adds an essential aromatic foundation, the egg brings richness and binding, and rice provides the perfect body.
- Maximum Efficiency: This is the ultimate quick-fix meal, guaranteeing Minimal Dishes, Minimal Ingredients, and Minimal Time.
Ingredients
Kitchen Tools
- Ziploc Bag: Any plastic bag you can use to crush the ramen block.
- Kettle
- Knife or kitchen scissor
- Cutting Board
- Frying Pan (Skillet)
Shop The Tools
Step-by-Step 5-Minute Cooking Guide
Crush and Soak the Noodles
- Place the dry ramen block into the Ziploc bag and crush it thoroughly into small pieces.
- Put the crushed noodles, vegetable flakes, and soup powder into the original ramen cup.
- Pour approx. 90ml of hot water into the cup noodles, just enough to cover and dampen the noodles. Set aside to soften while you prepare the egg (about 2-3 minutes).
- Finely chop the green onion.
Prepare the Rice Base
- Heat the cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced green onion and stir-fry until fragrant.
- Add the egg and quickly scramble it.
- Add the cooked rice to the pan and mix well, ensuring the rice is coated with the egg and oil.
Combine and Finish
- Pour the softened ramen from the cup directly into the pan with the rice.
- Increase the heat and stir-fry. Mix thoroughly until the contents of the cup are fully incorporated and the residual liquid has evaporated.
Tips for the Best Cup Ramen Fried Rice
Never Over-soak the Noodles: When adding water to the ramen cup, ensure you only add enough to barely cover the noodles. This prevents the final fried rice from becoming watery or soggy, giving you that desirable dry and fluffy texture.
Sauté Scallions on Low Heat: Scallions burn easily when making scallion oil. Use low heat and sauté them just until their deep aroma comes out.
Fry the Rice on High Heat: Once you add the rice to the pan, switch to high heat. This helps evaporate any moisture, ensuring the rice is nicely separated and fluffy. It’s the key to perfect cup ramen fried rice.
Extra Topping Recommendations: For an extra indulgent dish, try topping it with shredded Mozzarella or Cheddar cheese (a popular Korean pairing!). Otherwise, garnish simply with fresh scallions and toasted sesame seeds.
How to Customize the Spice Level (From Mild to Fire Cup Noodles Flavors)
- For Mild Flavor: Use a mild cup noodles variety instead of Shin Ramyun. Alternatively, use only half of the ramen seasoning packet and supplement the final seasoning with a dash of soy sauce or oyster sauce.
- For Maximum Heat: Use an intensely spicy ramen like Buldak (Korean Fire Noodle) or add a few drops of Buldak sauce directly to the pan while you are stir-frying the rice.
Vegan and Vegetarian Options
This recipe can be easily adapted for plant-based diets:
- Use Vegan Ramen: Simply use any verified vegan ramen brand.
- Note: Some regional versions of Shin Ramyun (especially those sold in Europe) are naturally vegan-friendly, but always check the label.
- Skip the Egg: Omit the egg and instead, boost the nutrition and flavor by adding chopped vegetables such as carrots, onions, or mushrooms during the oil-sautéing step.
The Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Cup Ramen Fried Rice
Kimchi or Pickled Radish (Danmuji)
Adding kimchi or crunchy yellow pickled radish on the side makes this cup ramen fried rice even more delicious. The fresh acidity cuts through the savory flavors perfectly.
Soju, Beer, or Somaek
This cup ramen fried rice is also a popular bar food in Korea because it pairs amazingly well with alcohol. Try enjoying it with soju, beer, or a mix of both – somaek, Korea’s classic drink combo.
Other Korean Fried Rice Recipes
Cream Kimchi Fried Rice
This viral Korean recipe starts with classic kimchi fried rice, then adds a rich cream and cheese sauce in the center. Dip the kimchi fried rice into the creamy sauce for an unbelievably comforting flavor. A simple twist that feels like a brand new dish!
Cream Kimchi Fried Rice: Viral Kimchi Bokkeumbap
Garlic Butter Fried Rice
A quick 5-minute fried rice loved by many Koreans. The combination of bacon fat, garlic aroma, and buttery flavor creates a deeply savory and addictive dish. It’s incredibly easy yet restaurant-level delicious.
Garlic Butter Fried Rice Recipe: Easy Korean Fried Rice with Bacon
FAQ about Cup Ramen Fried Rice
5-Minute Cup Ramen Fried Rice: The Shin Ramyun Hack
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 instant cup ramen
- 90 ml hot water
- 60 g cooked rice
- 5 g green onion
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
Instructions
- Place the instant ramen block into a Ziploc bag and crush it thoroughly into small pieces.
- Put the crushed noodles, vegetable flakes, and soup powder into the ramen cup.
- Pour approx. 90ml of hot water into the cup, just enough to cover the noodles and let them soften.(Note: The goal is to soften the noodles without making them too watery.)
- While the ramen is softening, finely slice the green onion.
- Heat the cooking oil in a frying pan over low heat.Add the sliced green onion and stir-fry until fragrant (making an oil base).
- Crack the egg into the pan and scramble it with the green onion.
- Add the cooked rice to the pan and mix well, ensuring the rice is coated and integrated with the scrambled egg.
- Pour the softened ramen mixture (noodles, water, and seasoning) from the cup into the frying pan with the rice.
- Continue to stir-fry and mix everything thoroughly until the mixture is uniform and the residual liquid has evaporated slightly.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
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