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What is ramen noodle salad? Here’s how to make the crunchy meal TikTok is obsessed with

Fans of Ramen noodle salad say the crunchy meal can be whipped up in less than 10 minutes and enjoyed. (Photo: Getty Creative)
Fans of Ramen noodle salad say the crunchy meal can be whipped up in less than 10 minutes and enjoyed. (Photo: Getty Creative)

Ramen noodles are the ultimate go-to meal when time is limited and money is in short supply. They're also tasty and deliciously addicting thanks to kansui — a mineral water used in the making of the noodles that gives them the signature soft and stretchy texture people of all ages know and love. Traditional ramen noodles might be beloved by college students on a budget, but there's a new way to incorporate them into meals: ramen noodle salad.

What is ramen noodle salad?

Ramen noodle salad is the latest trend taking over social media, especially TikTok, as people love its crunchiness and flavor. Ramen noodle salad combines the ingredients frequently found in salad — like greens, sprouts and chopped vegetables — with the crunchy seasoned taste of ramen. Whether made as a side dish or main course, there are tons of ways to add it to meal time. And, the noodles can be served both hard and soft.

Ramen noodle salad is also a way to make ramen a bit more healthy according to Breanna Woods, a registered dietitian who works with fitness site Blogilates. Woods reviewed a popular ramen noodle salad recipe shared by TikToker Hannah Williams, in which the creator combines uncooked crumbled ramen noodles with broccoli slaw and a homemade dressing to create a colorful version of the popular dish.

"The broccoli slaw in this recipe adds fiber (around three grams per cup), vitamin C and iron," Woods tells Yahoo Life. "I'm not sure how many servings this recipe makes, but I'm assuming a few. So, you'd probably get less sodium here than you would eating ramen on its own."

"I also like that it seems like a versatile base so you could add a lot of different types of protein if you wanted to make this more of a meal," she adds.

Easy ramen noodle salad recipe

Want to make ramen noodle salad at home? Janelle Rohner, a content creator and cooking enthusiast, came up with her own recipe for sweet and tangy ramen noodle salad which she shared on TikTok. Rohner's recipe, which includes cabbage, sliced almonds, Mandarin oranges and chicken, has garnered over a million views.

"I was inspired by the Chinese chicken salads I've ordered at restaurants like the Cheesecake Factory," says Rohner. "It's a simple and flavorful meal you can put together in less than 10 minutes in the comfort of your own home."

Like Williams, Rohner's recipe involves crunchy ramen noodles for a "crouton" effect, a chouce that seems to be popular among creators. Prefer softer noodles? In Williams' TikTok, she says ramen noodles can be turned soft by letting the dressed salad sit in the fridge for a bit before serving.

Five-Minute Ramen Noodle Salad

Courtesy of Janelle Rohner

(Photo: Janelle Rohner)
(Photo: Janelle Rohner)

Salad ingredients:

  • 16-ounce bag of coleslaw mix

  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced almonds

  • 1 package of ramen noodles

  • 8 ounces cooked chicken

Dressing ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Splenda or sugar substitute

  • Dash of salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, add coleslaw, almonds and crushed ramen noodles and mix.

  2. In a small mixing bowl or mason jar, add rice vinegar, olive oil, soy sauce, granulated garlic, sugar substitute and dash of salt and pepper.

  3. Pour the dressing on the salad and mix well.

  4. Optional: add in mandarin oranges, edamame or green onions.

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