Need dinner in a hurry and only have a packet of ramen staring back at you? This easy Chinese Style Ramen keeps it simple with just soy sauce, the seasoning packet, and one quick pan of cooked noodles. It is salty, savory, cheap, and on the table fast.
If you want to stretch one packet into a quick side dish or a light lunch, this is the kind of no-fuss recipe that gets the job done without turning your kitchen into a science project.
Maya in Illinois
Ingredients
- 1 package oriental ramen noodles
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
What to do:
- Cook noodles according to package directions.
- Drain the noodles well.
- Add the seasoning packet and soy sauce.
- Toss to coat and serve hot.
Posted to Budget101 Discussion List on:
Wed Aug 14, 2002 3:02 pm
Tips for the Best Flavor
Drain the noodles well before adding the seasoning packet and soy sauce. If too much water clings to the noodles, the flavor gets thin in a hurry.
Toss the noodles while they are still hot so the seasoning dissolves evenly instead of clumping in one salty little corner. If you like stronger soy flavor, start with the tablespoon listed here, taste, and stop there unless you enjoy flirting with over-salted noodles.
For a slightly fuller meal, pair this with another quick noodle dinner like Chili Chicken Ramen Noodles or Ramen Noodles Stir Fry.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this as a quick lunch, a simple late-night bite, or an easy side with grilled chicken, pork, or leftover vegetables. Since the recipe is heavily seasoned, it also works well next to plain cooked broccoli, carrots, or snap peas.
One packet makes about 2 side-dish servings or 1 light main-dish serving. If you need more, double the ingredients and cook the noodles in separate batches so they do not clump together.
Storage
Serve these noodles right after mixing for the best texture. If you do have leftovers, refrigerate them within 2 hours in a covered container and use them within 3 to 4 days. That storage window follows general leftover guidance from the FDA’s food safety recommendations for leftovers.
Reheat in a skillet or microwave with a teaspoon or two of water to loosen the noodles. Freezing is possible, but the texture turns soft and a bit sad, so it is better for survival food than company food.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Chinese Style Ramen
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Oriental ramen noodles |
$0.28 |
1 package ≈ 1 package/count = 3 oz = 85.049 g ≈ 0.654 cup |
$0.28 |
|
Water |
– |
2 C. |
$0.01 |
|
Soy sauce |
$1.42 |
1 T. |
$0.05 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$0.34 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$0.17 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Chinese Style Ramen
You can, but the flavor will change. Soy sauce flavor ramen is the closest match because it keeps the dish savory without adding as much chicken or beef seasoning, so if you swap flavors, use a little less of the packet at first and taste before adding the rest.
Yes, drain them well. This recipe is meant to coat the noodles, not make a broth, so leaving extra water behind will dilute the seasoning packet and soy sauce and give you bland noodles instead of a punchy finish.
Start with 1 to 2 teaspoons instead of the full tablespoon. You can always add more after tossing, but once the noodles get too salty, there is no magical undo button waiting in the pantry.
You can, but the noodles will taste flatter. The packet brings most of the concentrated savory flavor, while the soy sauce deepens it, so if you skip the packet, add a little garlic powder, onion powder, or a pinch of bouillon to round things out.
Cook them just until tender, then drain right away. Instant ramen keeps softening from residual heat, so even one extra minute can push it past tender and straight into limp territory.
Absolutely. Double all the ingredients, but cook the noodle bricks separately or in plenty of water so they have room to loosen up and cook evenly before you drain and season them.
Try leftover cooked chicken, scrambled egg, shredded cabbage, peas, carrots, or sliced green onions. Even a small handful of vegetables or protein makes one ramen packet go a lot farther without much extra cost.
You can, but it is best fresh. If you need to prep ahead, cook the noodles a little shy of done, cool them quickly, and reheat with a splash of water so they loosen back up instead of forming one determined noodle brick.
Keep them out no longer than 2 hours at room temperature. After that, leftovers are in the danger zone too long and should be refrigerated promptly or discarded if they have been sitting around through a whole movie and the credits.
Stick with simple sides so the salty noodles do not overpower everything else. Steamed broccoli, stir-fried vegetables, sliced cucumbers, or a plain cooked protein work well because they balance the seasoning instead of competing with it.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Chinese Style Ramen
Chinese Style Ramen
Equipment
Instructions
- Cook noodles according to package directions.
- Drain the noodles well.
- Add the seasoning packet and soy sauce.
- Toss to coat and serve hot.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
Prep and cook times are estimates based on standard instant ramen directions.
# For best texture, serve immediately after seasoning.
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days.
Just because you put soy sauce on it doesn’t make it Chinese.
Add pieces of cat meat to it. Bam.