Glass Noodle Ramen

Fun fact: I'm all about soup season. While this Glass Noodle Ramen is undoubtedly a cozy delight for those colder months, it's designed to be a versatile year-round staple, too. This soup is so easy and so flavorful - and it's made with beautiful glass noodles which are actually translucent, giving them the appearance of glass once they're cooked. Adding bite-sized pork meatballs ensures that you're getting a lot of protein with this soup too, balancing it to be a complete meal. For the broth, I use Kettle & Fire Lemongrass Ginger bone broth to take the flavors to the next level. I cannot wait for you to try this soup!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love exploring alternatives to traditional pasta, so I thought it'd be fun to incorporate glass noodles into this dish for a distinct twist on ramen. To ensure the soup is filling, I added pork meatballs and chose bone broth for an extra health boost. On colder days, this soup provides a cozy comfort. It has become a favorite for its rich flavors and straightforward preparation—an ideal choice for busy nights when a comforting bowl with minimal effort is the goal.

Ingredients You Will Need

Ground Pork: This is an easy choice for meatballs as it offers a balance of fat and flavor, ensuring a juicy yet flavorful bite.

Shiitake Mushrooms: These mushrooms add a robust umami and earthy depth to the soup, enhancing its overall flavor.

Baby Bok Choy: Adding in some baby bok choy into this soup brings a cirsp yet tender texture. It offers a little sweetness in contrast to the savory broth.

Green Onion: Also known as scallions, green onions impart a mild, onion-like flavor and a touch of freshness.

Sesame Oil: Sesame oil's nutty aroma and rich, savory flavor enhance soups and brings a depth to them.

Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar imparts a tanginess to a dish while bringing out the overall brightness of the other flavors.

Sweet Potato Glass Noodles: These noodles are made from sweet potato starch, offering a chewy and translucent texture, adding a unique twist to dishes. They're also naturally gluten free.

Gochugaru Korean Chili Pepper Flakes: This spice infuses the soup with a mild heat and a smoky, slightly sweet flavor.

Lemongrass Ginger Beef Bone Broth: This Kettle & Fire broth serves as an ideal base for glass noodle ramen, imparting a rich and aromatic foundation that is nuanced with lemongrass and ginger infused into the flavors.

Instructions

Cook Meatballs: Heat oil in a pot, then add the meatballs and cook until there is no more pink.

Add the veggies: Into the pot, add mushrooms, the white part of the onions and the white part of the bok choy. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to promote even cooking.

Keep building the flavors: Add the green part of the onions and the rest of the bok choy.

Add the broth: Once the broth is added, bring it to a boil.

Add the remaining ingredients: Lower to a simmer and add Korean chili flakes and rice vinegar. Stir well.

Add the noodles: Add the pre-soaked glass noodles and simmer for 5 more minutes.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Change up the broth: You can substitute regular chicken or vegetable broth in place of the lemongrass ginger broth.  If you do, add 1 teaspoon or more to taste of dried ginger and 1 teaspoon lemongrass seasoning.

Adding the green onions: I prefer slicing the white part thinly and cutting the green part into 1-inch pieces.

Recipe Variations

Switch up the veggies: Various veggies complement glass noodle ramen beautifully. Consider adding sliced carrots, bean sprouts, snow peas, spinach, or thinly sliced bell peppers for a colorful and nutritious twist.

Opt for tofu instead of meatballs: Swap small tofu cubes in place of meatballs here, and add some seaweed for a fun twist on this soup.

Storage Tips

To store the Glass Noodle Ramen soup, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. The soup can also be frozen for up to 6 months. Consider freezing in ice cube trays like these, which will help freeze your soup in smaller portions making it easier and quicker to defrost.

FAQs About Glass Noodle Ramen

Can you use glass noodles in ramen?

Yes, absolutely! Glass noodles are a fantastic alternative to traditional ramen noodles, offering a unique texture and lighter feel to the dish. They're also naturally gluten free!

Are glass noodles healthier?

Glass noodles are often considered a healthier option as they are typically made from starches like mung bean or sweet potato. However, the overall healthiness depends on the specific ingredients used and the rest of the dish, as well as your own dietary needs, as the definition of what is healthy could vary from person to person.

Is vermicelli and glass noodles the same?

While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not exactly the same. Vermicelli refers to thin noodles made from rice, wheat, or other starches, and they can come in various forms. Glass noodles, on the other hand, are typically made from mung bean or sweet potato starch (sometimes other starches too) and are known for their translucent appearance when cooked.