Instant Noodle Upgrade
A packet of instant noodles made into a proper meal with an egg, frozen vegetables and a spoon of peanut butter. Two servings in 13 minutes.
Instant noodles are cheap and fast, and with a few small changes they become a meal. A soft egg, a handful of frozen vegetables and a spoon of something rich do the job.
Skip most of the seasoning sachet. It is very salty, and half is plenty once you have added soy sauce and peanut butter. Taste before adding more.
Cook the noodles in less water than the packet suggests. A smaller pot gives a thicker broth that clings to the noodles instead of a thin soup.
Crack the egg in at the end and leave it undisturbed for 2 minutes with the lid on. The white sets and the yolk stays soft. A squeeze of lime and a pinch of chili finish it. The packet is only the starting point, and the extras are what make it a meal. Leftover vegetables from the fridge, a handful of frozen spinach or a spoon of kimchi all fit without any change to the method.
Quick Answers
How long does Instant Noodle Upgrade take to make?
About 13 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and 8 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 2.
What are the key tips for making Instant Noodle Upgrade?
Use half the seasoning sachet and taste before adding more. Add the noodles last so they do not turn soft. Keep the lid on after the eggs go in so they cook in the steam.
What should I serve with Instant Noodle Upgrade?
Kimchi; Sliced cucumber; Lime wedge.
Is Instant Noodle Upgrade suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Instant Noodle Upgrade?
About 497 kcal per serving, with 23 g protein, 72 g carbohydrate and 13 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Instant Noodle Upgrade: Step by Step
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Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the vegetables and the noodle block and cook for 2 minutes.
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Stir in half of each seasoning sachet, the soy sauce and the peanut butter until the peanut butter melts.
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Make two wells, crack in the eggs, cover and cook for 2 minutes until the whites set.
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Divide between two bowls and top with the spring onions and chili flakes.
A Few Pointers
- Use half the seasoning sachet and taste before adding more.
- Add the noodles last so they do not turn soft.
- Keep the lid on after the eggs go in so they cook in the steam.
If You're Missing Something
- Out of spring onions? A small regular onion, finely sliced, or a few chives stirred in at the end both cover the job.
Pairs Well With
Kimchi · Sliced cucumber · Lime wedge
Keeping and Reheating
Best eaten straight away. The noodles soften and swell if left to stand.
Nutrition per Serving
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.