Kimchi Ramen Noodle Soup – a simple, flavorful Korean-inspired soup made with ramen noodles, fresh greens, hard‑boiled egg and, of course, kimchi. Ready in about 30 minutes, this cozy kimchi noodle soup is perfect for chilly days and makes a hearty weeknight meal.
If you enjoy Asian-inspired soups, try variations like Thai pumpkin curry, Thai meatball soup, or this easy kimchi ramen. These noodle soups are family favorites for their comforting broth and bold flavors.
Some weekends blur together — mine recently was one of those. I spent the time running errands and tidying the house, and in between chores I made this kimchi ramen. It’s the sort of comforting, quick meal that feels like a win after a busy day.
Are you familiar with kimchi? It’s an increasingly popular ingredient for good reason — it adds brightness, spice and depth to soups, stews and noodle dishes.
What is Kimchi?
I get asked about kimchi a lot. In short:
- Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made by salting and fermenting vegetables — most commonly Napa cabbage and Korean radish — with seasonings.
- Typical aromatics and spice used in kimchi include garlic, ginger, scallions and chili powder or flakes.
- There are hundreds of kimchi varieties, each using different vegetables and seasonings for unique flavors and textures.
Most Popular Varieties of Kimchi
- Baechu Kimchi – made with Napa cabbage. This is the most common variety you’ll find in markets.
- Kkakdugi – kimchi made with cubed radish instead of cabbage.
- Yeolmu Kimchi – made with the young, leafy radish greens; popular in summer.
- Nabak Kimchi – a milder, watery kimchi often served as a refreshing side.
Key Ingredients
- Fresh ginger
- Garlic
- Korean red chili flakes (gochugaru) or a substitute
- Sesame oil
- Well‑fermented kimchi (Baechu kimchi works well)
- Ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packet)
But Don’t Forget the Toppings!
Toppings bring noodle soups to life. They add texture, freshness and visual appeal. For this kimchi ramen, consider:
- Hard‑boiled or soft‑boiled egg
- Fresh greens, herbs or microgreens
- Mung bean sprouts for crunch
- Extra kimchi for brightness
- Toasted sesame seeds
Whether you’re new to kimchi or already a fan, this ramen noodle soup is an approachable, delicious way to enjoy more of it. The broth is rich and savory, the noodles give it comfort, and the toppings add color and texture.
If you want more protein, add tofu, shredded chicken or a soft‑boiled egg. This recipe is healthy, satisfying and comes together in about 25–30 minutes.
Try this kimchi ramen and adjust the spice and toppings to your taste. If you make it, leave a comment to share how it turned out — feedback is always appreciated.
Kimchi Ramen Noodle Soup Recipe
Jessica Randhawa
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Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Korean red chili flakes (plus more to taste)
- 1.5 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 6 cups vegetable broth (or water)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup well‑fermented kimchi
- 150 grams ramen noodles (discard seasoning packet)
Toppings:
- Mung bean sprouts
- Additional kimchi
- Scallions, shredded (optional: soak in cold water to curl)
- Sesame seeds
- Hard boiled eggs
- Fresh greens or microgreens
Instructions
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Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add minced ginger and garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, stirring so they don’t burn.
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Add rice vinegar, Korean red chili flakes, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil and the vegetable broth (or water). Stir, increase heat to high, cover and bring the broth to a low boil.
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Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and season to taste. Add the kimchi and ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packets). Cook until the noodles are just tender.
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Remove from heat, divide between bowls and garnish with mung bean sprouts, extra kimchi, scallions, sesame seeds, hard‑boiled egg and fresh greens.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!