Will ramen in cold water soften and be edible? Let’s find out
Ramen noodles: we all know about them, and we all love them. The beauty of them is they’re so easy to make (whether homemade or from a package).
But let’s consider the packaged version: Ramen, flavor, hot water, and done.
It’s the easiest, simplest process, but have you ever wondered whether you can do the same thing, but with cold water? Keep reading to find out more!
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Wait for a little longer
Are you unable to get a hold of hot water but you still want some instant noodles? Not to worry, as it’s possible to “cook” with cold water too!
Simply flavor your packaged instant ramen, add the water, and leave to soak for about 15 minutes rather than 3.
If you want to see it in action, check out this video by YouTuber japanesestuffchannel:
Will it taste the same?
Generally, yes, it’ll taste the same.
Will it taste as good as when you make instant noodles with boiling water? That’s debatable.
There’s a reason that the instructions tell you to use hot water. It’s probably because the flavors get soaked up just a little bit better than with cold water.
Also read: these are the best toppings for your ramen
Is it safe to eat cold?
Yes, it’s safe to eat instant ramen made with cold water.
You’ll have less broth than you would with hot water, and the taste might be a bit weird at first, but there are no safety or health concerns connected to eating cold ramen noodles.
Ramen in cold water will do in a pinch
To summarize, yes, your ramen noodles will soften in cold water too. You’ll have to wait about 15 minutes rather than 3, but eventually, they’ll be just as soft.
As for the flavor, it’ll be slightly different, as there will be less broth when the water is cold and you won’t have the “soup” experience.
There’s no reason as to why you couldn’t eat cold ramen; it’s simply a matter of preference.
Also read: the difference between Japanese and Korean ramen explained
Check out our new cookbook
Bitemybun's family recipes with complete meal planner and recipe guide.
Try it out for free with Kindle Unlimited:
Read for free
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.
