Instant Cheese Ramen Bowl (Print Version)

A rich bowl of creamy cheese noodles crowned with a gently poached egg and savory seasonings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Noodles

01 - 1 package (3 oz) instant ramen noodles, seasoning packet reserved or discarded

→ Cheese & Cream Mixture

02 - 1/2 cup whole milk
03 - 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella
04 - 1 tablespoon cream cheese

→ Egg

05 - 1 large egg

→ Broth & Seasonings

06 - 1 cup water
07 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
11 - 1/2 ramen seasoning packet, or to taste

→ Garnish

12 - 1 tablespoon chopped green onion
13 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
02 - Add ramen noodles to boiling water and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Pour in whole milk, add shredded cheese and cream cheese, stirring until melted and creamy.
04 - Add garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, chili flakes if desired, and half the seasoning packet; stir to blend flavors.
05 - Crack egg directly into simmering soup, cover, and cook 2-3 minutes for soft poach or until preferred doneness.
06 - Transfer to bowl; gently swirl the egg or leave intact. Top with chopped green onion and toasted sesame seeds, serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in 15 minutes but tastes like you spent an hour on the stove.
  • The creamy cheese sauce transforms plain instant ramen into something sophisticated without pretending to be fancy.
  • A silky poached egg finishes it off with protein and richness that makes it feel like a real meal.
02 -
  • Don't use milk that's been sitting on high heat for more than a minute or two before the cheese goes in, or it'll scald and taste slightly off.
  • The cream cheese is crucial—without it, the cheese can separate and look grainy, but a small amount keeps everything silky and unified.
  • Stir constantly as you add the cheese mixture, because even a few seconds of not stirring can create lumps that are hard to fix.
03 -
  • Add a small knob of butter right before serving if you want to push the richness even further—it creates a silkier mouthfeel than the milk alone.
  • Toasting your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds before sprinkling them on intensifies their nutty flavor and adds a textural contrast that makes the whole bowl feel more complete.
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