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I love a good fried egg on just about anything, and it’s especially amazing on a bowl of steaming ramen. That runny yolk mixing with the broth? Adds a rich, silky texture. Whether you like it sunny-side up or a bit more cooked, here’s your guide to frying the perfect egg to crown your noodles.
How to Fry Your Egg
The key to a perfect fried egg is controlling the heat and cooking it to your desired doneness. Here’s how to get it just right:
- Prep Your Pan: Place your non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the oil or butter and let it heat until it’s shimmering but not smoking. If using butter, let it melt completely.
- Crack the Egg (Pro Tip!): For easier and cleaner cooking, especially if you’re new to frying eggs, try cracking the egg on a flat surface and gently transferring it to a small bowl first. This way, you can easily pick out any shell fragments before sliding the egg carefully into the hot pan. If you’re confident, you can crack it directly into the pan.
- Cook to Your Liking: Now, it’s all about timing and your preference:
- Sunny-Side Up: Cook for 2-3 minutes without flipping. The whites will be set, but the yolk will remain completely runny.
- Over-Easy: Cook for 2-3 minutes until the whites are mostly set. Then, gently slide a spatula under the egg and carefully flip it. Cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute for a warm, runny yolk.
- Over-Medium: Follow the instructions for over-easy, but cook for 1-2 minutes after flipping for a yolk that’s slightly set but still a little gooey in the center.
- Over-Well: Cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side, flip, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the yolk is completely set.
- Season (Optional): Once the egg is cooked to your liking, you can sprinkle it with a little salt and pepper.
- Remove and Top: Carefully slide the fried egg out of the pan with your spatula and place it gently on top of your prepared bowl of instant ramen. That runny yolk is ready to work its magic!
A Note on Egg Safety: For those who prefer a runny yolk, it’s important to be aware that consuming raw or undercooked eggs may increase the risk of foodborne illness, including salmonella. The USDA provides further information on egg safety here. If you have any concerns, cooking your egg until the yolk is firm is the safest option.
Tips for Egg-cellent Results
- Medium Heat is Your Friend: Cooking over medium heat prevents the bottom of the egg from burning before the whites are set.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If you’re frying multiple eggs, give them some space so they cook evenly.
- A Little Fat Helps: Don’t skimp on the oil or butter – it helps the egg cook evenly and prevents sticking.
A perfectly fried egg is the ultimate crown for your instant ramen. Experiment with different levels of doneness and enjoy that rich, yolky goodness!
If you love the combination of a fried egg with instant ramen, you might also enjoy my SPAM and Egg Buldak Spicy Ramen recipe, where that runny yolk adds an extra layer of richness to fiery noodles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use a non-stick skillet and make sure it’s properly heated before adding the oil or butter. Enough fat in the pan also helps.
Cook over medium heat. You can also try covering the pan for a minute or two towards the end of cooking to help the whites set without overcooking the yolk.
Medium heat is generally better for even cooking. High heat can cause the bottom to burn before the rest of the egg is cooked.
Using slightly higher heat and a bit more oil can help create crispy edges. Be careful not to burn the egg.
Have you mastered the fried egg for your ramen? What’s your favorite way to cook it? Spill the yolk in the comments below!
How to Fry an Egg
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp cooking oil or butter
- salt and pepper, (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil or butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Gently crack egg into the hot pan.
- Cook to desired doneness:Sunny-Side Up: 2-3 minutes (runny yolk)Over-Easy: 2-3 minutes, flip, 30 sec-1 min (runny yolk)Over-Medium: 2-3 minutes, flip, 1-2 min (gooey yolk)Over-Well: 2-3 minutes, flip, 2-3 min (set yolk)
- Season with salt and pepper (optional).
- Carefully remove from pan and top your ramen.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
