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12 cheap ways to make instant noodles taste incredible

Every student worth the name loves noodles. Not only are they stupidly easy to cook (except that time you accidentally added way too much water, we won’t tell) but they can also be as cheap as 11p a packet.

The problem is they get pretty boring on their own, and the flavour sachets aren’t exactly renowned for their nutritional value.

So we’ve rounded up some awesome cooking hacks to help your noodles truly deserve the name ‘super’.

1. Use condiments

We’re not talking about adding ketchup to your ramen (please, NOT again) but splashing on a few simple sauces that require no extra cooking.

Your best options are things like Thai curry paste, fish sauce, harrisa (a hot chilli paste), miso paste, and rice vinegar, which can all be found in the world foods aisle of your supermarket.

Pictured above are ramen noodles with spicy korean chili dressing – instant noodles made delicious with a mixture of chili seasoning, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and honey.

If you’re not feeling adventurous, simply swap the flavour packet from your noodles with some low-salt chicken stock, as an excessive amount of sodium comes in those little sachets. Finish with a sprinkling of pepper or chilli flakes.

2. Make latkes

Latkes, if you’ve never had them (poor thing), are essentially fried potato and onion pancakes often eaten with sour cream.

Some internet genius decided to mix things up a little, however, and make latkes out of a packet of super noodles.

Simply tear up your instant noodles, stir them together with half a sliced onion, a tablespoon of flour, and an egg. Season and then fry in a hot pan. It sounds like a disaster right? But just look at it. It’s your destiny.

3. Add peanut butter

If you think we’re crazy, then you think Martha Stewart is crazy too. Adding smooth peanut butter to your noodles is a cheap way to get that Pad Thai taste.

Try out this crunchy peanut butter and chicken ramen upgrade to make your cheap packet of noodles into a full blown meal.

4. Add some vegetable

Pretty obvious really. Chop up some old faves like pepper, spinach, or bean sprouts, or add some vegetables that require a little extra cooking such as bok choi, cabbage, or broccoli.

You can even throw in some frozen veg to keep things cheap and wonderful, as pictured above.

5. Make a mac and cheese

And on the 8th day, the Lord made cheese, and he declared unto his people: ‘Thou must add cheese where possible.’

There isn’t a single dish which cheese can’t improve, and instant noodles are no exception. Ramen + cheese = ramac and cheese. Simply create a cheese sauce with milk, butter and your favourite cheese, stir in your cooked noodles, and stick it in the oven until the top is brown and bubbly.

6. Throw in some meat

Chopping up and throwing in some chicken or pork is a guaranteed win, but you can also make some pretty delicious dishes with bacon.

Vegetarians can add tofu to bulk up their instant noodle meal.

7. Make a faux Pho

Pho is Vietnamese noodle soup and it is basically everything you could ever want ever. It is often made with beef, chicken, or prawns.

All you need to make your cheap and easy student version is a packet of super noodles, your meat of choice, some stock, veg, and spices. Get the full recipe here.

8. Add some eggs

If you’re feeling lazy, adding a fried egg on the top of your noodles is an easy, instant way to shake things up. Similarly, you could boil and chop and egg for something a little different.

You can also make your own egg fried noodles. Boil some water and cook your noodles, then in a frying pan fry up two beaten eggs. Add the drained noodles, stir together and voilà. If that’s not enough egg options for you, you could also poach an egg in with your noodles whilst they’re cooking.

9. Don’t even cook it

Dry ramen noodles are actually pretty tasty, you can even add the seasoning and you’ve basically got yourself an extra crunchy (and messy) pack of crisps.

This super cheap snack mix requires broken up instant noodles, nuts, cornflakes, and wasabi peas. Okay, yes, it’s not exactly a meal, but it is a tasty treat packed with protein. What more could you want?