Garlic: Your Instant Ramen’s Best Friend

If you love garlic as much as me, you know how much it can enhance a meal. I always have a few bulbs in my kitchen to add to my dishes. In this guide, we’ll explore different ways on how to prepare garlic for instant ramen, from whole cloves to thinly sliced or minced, so you can easily add this amazing flavor booster to your ramen.

Why Garlic is Great for Instant Ramen

Garlic is simply the ultimate ramen flavor booster. It complements practically any broth. And its versatility is amazing, too, You can use it for anything from a subtle infusion to a bold, raw punch, achieving completely different flavor profiles.

And let’s not forget that irresistible smell! I always joke that garlic is part of the “it smells good starter pack” because its smell alone makes the entire ramen experience more appealing.

Want to see how I use garlic in all sorts of ramen creations? Check out my full guide on 4 Ways to Use Garlic to Get the Best Instant Ramen Flavor.

How to Prepare Garlic for Ramen

Here are some common ways to prepare garlic for your instant ramen, each offering a different flavor and texture:

Whole Garlic:

1. Simply peel the garlic clove. You can cut off the very end if you want, but I usually just toss the whole peeled clove directly into the broth while the noodles are cooking.
2. This method provides a very mellow, infused garlic flavor that’s subtle. The whole cloves become soft and sweet.

Smashed Garlic:

1. Place a peeled garlic clove on your cutting board.
2. Use the flat side of a chef’s knife or a heavy object (like a meat mallet) to gently smash the clove. Be careful when doing this! To safely smash garlic with a knife, lay the flat side of the blade over the clove with the sharp edge facing away from you. Then, apply firm pressure with the heel of your hand directly over the garlic, rather than hitting or whacking it. This helps release the flavor and loosen the peel without damaging your knife or risking injury. Don’t mince it, just flatten it enough to break it open.
3. Add the smashed garlic to the broth while the noodles are cooking.
4. Smashed garlic releases a bit more flavor than whole cloves, offering a slightly more pronounced garlic presence without being overpowering.

Thinly Sliced Garlic:

1. Peel the garlic clove.
2. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the garlic into very thin pieces.
3. Add the sliced garlic to your ramen, either during the last minute of cooking or as a topping.
4. Thin slices provide a more noticeable, fresh garlic flavor and a tender texture when lightly cooked.

Minced Garlic:

1. Peel the garlic clove.
2. Finely chop the garlic using a sharp knife until it’s minced into very small pieces.
3. Add the minced garlic during the last minute of cooking the noodles, or even saute it briefly in a separate pan with a little oil before adding to your ramen.
4. Minced garlic delivers the most intense and pungent garlic flavor, perfect for those who want a strong garlic presence in their bowl.

For something truly next-level, check out one of my instant ramen challenge days where I put a Michelin star chef’s whole garlic bulb technique to the test: Instant Ramen Recipe from 3 Michelin Star Chef (Day 21/30)

So, whether you’re after a subtle hint or a bold flavor, garlic is your ultimate secret weapon for transforming instant ramen. Experiment with these different preparations and discover your perfect garlic level.