Tomato Instant Ramen Recipe

If you want to level up your instant ramen, you need to try this tomato instant ramen recipe! Juicy ripe tomatoes and silky eggs are added to the ramen to make the perfect meal when you need to warm up on a chilly day or cozy night. 

This tomato instant ramen only requires a few simple, easily accessible ingredients and is ready in just 15 minutes! For a complete meal, I always need side dishes when eating ramen, and here are some of my most popular recipes:

• Geotjeori Kimchi (Fresh Kimchi)
• Korean Cabbage Pancakes
• Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad
• Korean Radish Salad
• Japchae Dumplings

Why you’ll love this recipe

Although I love instant ramen on its own, sometimes I crave something a little more. And when I do, I know it’s important to keep the process simple, quick, and easy because that’s the point of making instant ramen in the first place, right? Luckily, this tomato and egg version checks off all those boxes. 

It’s a simple makeover that adds a ton of flavor and character without much effort or time! I mean, who doesn’t have tomatoes and eggs at home? And even if you don’t, they can be easily found at your local market. So, if you’re looking to one-up your instant ramen, this recipe is a must-try. 

Now, tomatoes are highly acidic and to tone down the acidity, they’re quickly sauteed with onions and garlic in sesame oil. Doing so draws out the natural sweetness of tomatoes and releases the delicious aromas of the aromatics. These simple ingredients combined with the spicy ramen soup packet make it irresistibly delicious! 

In my opinion, instant ramen is not complete without an egg so I obviously had to incorporate it into this dish. You can prepare the egg however you like such as a soft-boiled jammy egg or in my case, drizzle a beaten egg right into the soup. It creates beautiful streaks of egg that not only complement the flavors of the dish but add a contrast to the red broth. 

Tomato Instant Ramen Ingredients & Substitutions

Spicy instant ramen: Use any brand and variant that you prefer. My go-to is Shin Ramen.

Water: For boiling; For more flavor, you can substitute water with low sodium vegetable or chicken broth if you prefer. 

Sesame oil: Adds a delicious nutty flavor that complements the tomato and egg. My favorite brand to use is Kadoya roasted sesame oil. 

Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and aroma

Tomatoes: The star of this ramen recipe. Opt for ripe and juicy tomatoes like tomatoes on the vine! And feel free to add as much as you like!

Garlic cloves: Adds a delicious depth of flavor. Feel free to add more but not less! 

Gochugaru: For added spice! This can be substituted with red chili flakes or omitted. 

Scallion: Adds freshness and a pop of color

Hot chili pepper: For extra spice. This can be skipped. 

Egg: For added protein and flavor. To make this vegan or vegetarian, you can skip this. 

How to Prepare Tomato Instant Ramen

Step 1: Saute the onion

In a pot, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Toss in the onion and saute for 1 minute.

Step 2: Add tomatoes and garlic

Add tomatoes and garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes or until the tomatoes have softened.

Step 3: Add gochugaru and water

Add gochugaru and mix well. Saute for 30 seconds then pour in the water.

Step 4: Add the ramen

Toss in the instant ramen flakes and seasoning packet. Bring to a boil then add the instant noodles and chopped chili pepper.

Step 5: Add the eggs

While the noodles are cooking, whisk an egg in a bowl. When the noodles are 80% done, pour in the whisked egg in a circular motion. Simmer for 30 seconds then garnish with scallions.

Step 6: Serve

Serve and enjoy!

Preparation Tips for Tomato Instant Ramen

Here are some helpful tips for making the most delicious tomato instant ramen every time!

• Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking aka do your mise en place. This recipe moves fast and having all the ingredients chopped and prepped ahead of time allows for an easy and smooth cooking process. And it also ensures that I don’t overcook the noodles.
• While Shin Ramen is my go-to choice of instant ramen, use any brand you like! I do recommend using something that is spicy but it’s up to you!
• Feel free to add other mix-ins and customize it to make it your own. For instance, you can add spinach, bok choy, edamame, carrots, and radish. And for protein, you can add chicken, beef, and even Spam, or seafood like squid or shrimp. If you prefer to keep it light and vegetarian, then tofu and mushrooms would be great options as well.
• For a creamy version, you can add a splash of cream or milk. Make it even more luscious and indulgent by adding butter, cheese, and a raw egg yolk to stir into the broth to make it extra thick and creamy.
• If you’re feeling really lazy, you can honestly skip the sauteing part in the beginning and just toss the tomatoes and aromatics right into the soup. Just make sure to allow the tomatoes to cook down a bit so all the tomatoey goodness gets into the broth. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tomato instant ramen spicy?

I love my ramen extra hot and spicy so that’s how I made this ramen! There’s something about spicy food that makes it even more comforting. However, if you’ll be serving this to kids or you simply don’t prefer spicy food, you may omit the gochugaru and chili pepper and opt for a non-spicy ramen. 

What can I add to tomato instant ramen for more flavor?

What’s great about cooking your own food at home is that you get to customize it to your liking. If you like your ramen creamy and cheesy, you can add American sliced cheese or mozzarella for that delectable cheese pull! Sometimes I like to add fish sauce or even soup soy sauce to make the ramen more flavorful. 

Can I use vegetable broth instead of water for tomato instant ramen?

Yes! However, be sure to watch out for the saltiness of the broth. The seasoning packet from the instant ramen is already quite salty, so it would be ideal to opt for low to no-sodium vegetable broth. Also, taste the broth as you go along. If it gets too salty, add water to tone it down. Another hack is to add vegetables or even tofu! Tofu and vegetables like zucchini, spinach, and bok choy release water when cooked which will help balance out the saltiness. 

Can I cook tomato instant ramen in the microwave?

Yes, but that also means you’d be skipping sauteeing the tomatoes, onion, and garlic. What you can do is combine everything but the ramen noodles, cook them in the microwave for 2 minutes on high, then add the ramen and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes or until the ramen noodles have softened. 

Can you add tomato sauce to ramen?

Thinking of loading up the tomato flavor even more by adding tomato sauce? Sure, you can add some tomato sauce to the broth. It’ll be a great idea to mix the tomato sauce with water then taste and adjust. Keep in mind that tomato sauce can be overpowering so start with a small amount. 

Can you add tomato paste to this tomato instant ramen recipe?

Yes. If you want to enhance the tomato flavor and make it richer, you can add tomato paste. Add a dollop or two as you saute the garlic and onions. Let the tomato paste cook down for 2 minutes to reduce the acidity, bring out its sweetness, and develop its natural umami flavors.

What is the difference between ramen and instant noodles?

Authentic ramen prepared with fresh noodles and homemade broth is richer and more flavorful than quickly prepared instant ramen. The broth tastes more complex from the slow cooking of the bones and the noodles have a distinct delectable springy texture. It’s a long and arduous process but the result is rewarding. However, for days when you’re short on time but still want delicious ramen, that’s where instant ramen comes in! Instant ramen noodles cut the prep time to under 10 minutes and are also budget-friendly. The seasoning packets are concentrated with flavor and can be used as a delicious base to create something extra special like this recipe. 

Looking for more easy and delicious instant ramen recipes?

Hangover Ramen — If you’re looking to jazz up your next instant ramen meal, you might want to try this easy and flavorful hangover radish ramen recipe! I usually crave a hot bowl of soup the day after a night of drinking, and this ramen dish usually fixes me right up! With the fermented shrimp and green peppers, it has all the right ingredients for a satisfying meal to help you get through the day. 

Rabboki — If you like tteokbokki and ramen, you’re going to love rabokki! You get the best of both worlds all in one bite. Once you have a taste of the chewy rice cakes or ‘tteok’ and comforting noodles in the spicy, sweet, and savory sauce, it’ll leave your taste buds craving more!

Oyster Ramen — Perfect for seafood and ramen lovers when you’re craving something indulgent yet quick and easy to make. This oyster ramen is made with instant ramen, frozen oysters, and a few aromatics to take your basic instant ramen to the next level. The result is a phenomenal seafood flavor that will warm your belly, satisfy your oyster craving, and also nourish you.

Mushroom Instant Ramen — This 15-minute mushroom instant ramen recipe is perfect if you’re a fan of quick and easy meals that are also delicious and satisfying! It is savory, umami-packed, and a tasty way to elevate your instant ramen game. 

Chili Oil Ramen — This chili oil ramen is a leveled-up version of a broke college kid’s lunch. By combining the ramen powder with a few everyday ingredients, you can create something magical and glorious. I mean, the aroma of the hot sizzling oil hitting the spice mixture is just insane!