What Is Ramen?
The term “ramen” is used interchangeably with many other dishes these days. When food critics and experts refer to ramen, it’s the Japanese noodle and broth dish that’s served with a good amount of meat and vegetables. The taste of the broth can vary depending on the spices and other ingredients used. Ramen can also refer to the type of Korean noodles that is often sold in instant packs. These noodles are not always served in broth and are often quite spicy. Other people may even refer to any noodle dish of Eastern origin as “ramen”, though that’s technically inaccurate.
Types of Ramen Makers
Microwavable ramen bowls
Ramen is traditionally boiled in a skillet, pot, or a similar device, but you don’t have to do this anymore. With a simple microwave, you can prepare ramen in a matter of minutes with little to no supervision using a microwavable bowl. These ramen makers are, of course, microwave-safe, so you don’t have to worry about anything when placing the bowl in the microwave. Because you have no control over how the ramen is cooked inside of the microwave (other than changing the microwave settings), ramen bowls are best used for instant ramen and noodles. These sorts of noodles are made to be cooked instantly and easily, so you don’t really need to worry too much about the flavor and the specifics of the dish.
Electric skillets
Electric skillets are ramen makers that work much like regular skillets, but use the heat generated by electricity as opposed to gas. The advantage of electric skillets is that you can have some degree of control over how you cook the noodles, but due to their relatively flat shape, you won’t be able to cook a lot of noodles at a time.
Electric hot pot
Hot pots are a type of ramen maker that cooks your noodles thoroughly and properly while also being relatively convenient. Small electric hot pots can sit on your desk or dinner table with no issue, and you can use them to cook hot pot meals, noodles, soups, and more.
Tips When Using a Ramen Maker
Always supervise your ramen
It can be tempting to leave the ramen alone as it cooks, especially when it’s in the microwave, but try to at least check on it every now and then. Leaving food to cook unattended in your ramen maker all the time can be dangerous in the event of an emergency, so get in the habit of checking regularly.
Follow the cooking instructions
Your instant ramen pack will likely contain instructions on how to cook it. For best results, it’s good to follow the instructions no matter where or how you cook the ramen. Whether your ramen maker is a microwave, a pot, or a skillet, follow the instructions carefully so that you can cook the ramen the way it was meant to be cooked.
