5 Ways to Reduce Spice in your Noodles

After making hundreds of videos about instant ramen, I can confidently say this is one of the top questions I get asked: “How do I reduce the spice in spicy instant ramen?” And we’ve all been there…that moment when your mouth is on fire. But the good news is, you don’t have to toss that bowl. Over the years, I’ve found these 5 easy and reliable ways to rescue overly spicy noodles and make them perfectly enjoyable.

1. Load Up with More Ingredients

Adding extra non-spicy ingredients can help spread out that heat and make your bowl more satisfying. The more non-spicy food you have in there, the less concentrated that capsaicin (the stuff that makes it spicy) will be.

• How to do it: Toss in things like savory SPAM or fresh, crunchy beansprouts. Think cooked corn, extra plain noodles, blanched spinach, or even some plain, cooked chicken or tofu. They add substance and literally dilute the spice in each bite.
• See it in action:

2. Control the Sauce Packet

This might seem obvious, but it’s the easiest first step to manage the spice from the get-go. You have full control right at the start.

• How to do it: When you’re making your noodles, only add a portion of the spice or sauce packet. I usually recommend starting with half, mixing it in thoroughly, then tasting it. If you can handle more, gradually add a little extra until it reaches your preferred heat level. Remember, you can always add more spice, but you can’t take it away.
• See it in action: I show you how to manage the heat in my video: How to Make Spicy Instant Ramen Less Spicy

3. Add Cheese

Cheese is a magical ingredient when it comes to spicy noodles. And it isn’t just about creaminess. The fat and proteins (specifically casein) in cheese actually bind to the capsaicin molecules, helping to neutralize the heat sensation on your tongue.

• How to do it: Stir in a slice of American cheese (it melts beautifully), a handful of shredded cheddar, or even some grated Parmesan. Let it melt into the hot noodles until it creates a creamy, cheesy coating. The more cheese, the more the spice gets mellowed.
• See it in action: Watch how cheese saves the day in my video

4. Stir in Some Milk

Similar to cheese, the proteins in milk (again, casein is the hero here) are excellent at cutting through that fiery sensation. It’s a quick way to add both creaminess and a cooling effect.

• How to do it: After you’ve drained your noodles and added the sauce, stir in a splash of milk (cow’s milk or heavy cream work best due to their casein content). Start with a tablespoon or two and mix well. It adds creaminess and mellows the heat significantly. Non-dairy milks typically don’t have casein, so they won’t bind to the capsaicin as effectively, though they can still dilute the spice.
• See it in action: In this video, I add soy milk to help dilute the spice

5. Mix with Other Noodles

If your spicy noodles are still too much, or if you just want to make your fiery dish last longer, combining them with another, milder noodle dish is a smart move.

• How to do it: Prepare a separate batch of plain, unseasoned, or very mild instant noodles. Once cooked, mix them directly into your overly spicy noodles. This effectively doubles your portion and spreads the existing spicy sauce and heat across more noodles, instantly reducing the intensity of each bite. As a bonus, this often leads to some really interesting and unexpected flavor combinations.

Don’t let a little spice intimidate you from enjoying a delicious bowl of noodles. Give these tips a try and find your perfect balance of flavor and warmth. Got any tips to share? Leave a comment below!