Turns out you can make homemade ramen without JUST following the package directions.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons (30g) gochujang

• 2.5 teaspoons (10g) gochugaru optional

• 1 tablespoon (15g) soy sauce

• 4 cloves (16g) garlic, minced

• 2 teaspoon (10g) sugar

• 1 tablespoon (15g) distilled vinegar

Stew:

• 1.5 cups (350ml) water

• 2 oz (55g) dried shiitake mushrooms

• 1/2 lb (225g) button mushrooms, thinly sliced

• 3/4 cup (125g) chopped kimchi

• 1 bunch (200g) green onions, thinly sliced

• 1 can (340g) Spam, sliced into ¼- inch slices 

• 1/2 lb (225g) smoked sausage, sliced into ¼-inch rounds

• 3 cups (700ml) chicken stock 

• 2 packs (260g) Shin Black Ramen Noodles (use 2 noodle blocks, do not use the seasoning packets)

• 2 slices (32g) American Cheese

Method:

1. To make the sauce, combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk to combine.

2. In a large bowl, add in mushrooms and cover with boiling water. Let sit for 12 minutes. This soaking liquid will be used as a mushroom stock. Remove the mushroom from the liquid, cut off the stems, slice the caps evenly, and set to the side.

3. Heat a large pot over medium heat until hot. Sear spam and sausage (separately) for 2-3 minutes per side.  Add oil to the pan if needed. Reduce heat to medium and add in sliced green onions, sliced button mushrooms and saute for 1-2 minutes.  Add chopped kimchi in and stir to combine. Saute for another minute. Add the sauce and stir until combined, another 2 minutes.  Add the chicken stock and mushroom stock and stir to combine. Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

4. While simmering, gently add in the ramen noodles. Press down to submerge and cover with a lid and cook 3-4 minutes.  Once noodles are finished cooking, add in the seared spam and sausage, shiitake mushrooms, and topped with two slices of American cheese. Cover and simmer for 2 minutes.

5. Top with green onions and serve immediately from the pot it was cooked in.