Ramen Carbonara
Asian
This Ramen Carbonara from Little Critics Book combines easy instant noodles with comforting taste of butter and bacon. This Easy Ramen Carbonara from What Canadian Chefs Cook For Kids (and kids will actually eat) by Joanna Fox is rich creamy, buttery, comforting and easy to make - all that you want in a carbonara - except this is an Asian spin on carbonara that we could not get enough of and totally get why kids wouldn’t be able to too either! This eggless buttery version is made with ramen noodles, bacon, a blend of soy sauce and hoisin sauce and some green peas -something I like to add to my more classic version of carbonara as well.
This dish is by Suzanne Barr and she describes it like “having a taste of Japan and Italy in one bowl” and she says her son polishes it off every single time and so do we! This is clearly not a true traditional carbonara as it has no eggs, egg yolks or parmesan cheese or Romano in it but it’s made carbonara style with asian flavors and ramen - it is as easy as the Italian pasta carbonara classic and also quick (possibly easier and quicker then the classic). It’s so easy to make and only 6 ingredients and it’s totally addictive - it’s hard to not eat straight from the pan! It’s also made in no time so if you are looking for a great meal for movie night/ date night or any night - instead of reaching for the take out menus grab these ingredients and whip up this better than take out noodle dish
About Little Critics Cookbook
Little Critics Book - What Canadian Chefs Cook For Kids (and kids will actually eat) cookbook by Joanna Fox is an overall wonderful cookbook. I received a copy of it as a gift from Appetite by Randomhouse. The concept for it came from the challenge of feeding kids. Joanna decided to do something helpful for all the parents and caregivers out there, who ever had to cook for children. She asked some of Canada’s best culinary minds, from coast to coast to coast, what they made for the kids in their lives. She also wanted to create a cookbook that would help teach children and parents about the diversity of our country and its people, and how rich and amazing our food culture really is. All of the incredibly talented and generous chefs in this cookbook gave their best recipes so that you would have plenty of options come mealtime. The book is full of ideas for every kind of meal, with easy-to-follow recipes for breakfast and brunch; vegetarian, fish, and meat mains; soups, snacks, and sides; and desserts and drinks too. These recipes are not just for the kiddos though - even the adults will be asking for more. The recipes are simple from the ingredients to the writing of them. They are meant to be delicious comforting and nourishing for the entire family. What a great concept for a book and definite keeper whether you have little ones or not! Grab a copy of this book here.
Ingredients for Ramen Carbonara
- Ramen Noodles - you can use instant ramen noodles themselves or from a soup packet reserving the seasoning packs/ seasoning packet for another use
- Bacon - use regular cut or thick cut bacon whatever you prefer - feel free to omit for a veggie version. You could also use pancetta or Guanciale if you prefer
- Butter - use unsalted so you can control amount of salt in the dish
- Soy Sauce - I recommend low sodium as the bacon adds some saltiness to the dish or use regular soy sauce or even tamari
- Hoisin Sauce - adds a delicious flavour and hint of sweetness to the dish
- Green Peas - use fresh or frozen and I simply add them to the noodles most time for the last 1-2 min of cooking then drain them along with the ramen noodles or feel free to cook them on their own before stirring them through the pasta
- Salt and Black Pepper - both to taste - go easy on the salt as the soy sauce is quite salty
- Optional Flavour Add Ins - add some minced garlic and onion to the frying pan or skillet for extra flavour and some chilli flakes for a little extra heat for a more adult version or use some sliced red chilies
How to Make Ramen Carbonara
- Cook bacon: In a large skillet cook the bacon until brown and crisp. Remove onto paper-towel-lined plate and set aside. Remove bacon fat from pan
- Cook the noodles: while bacon cooks, boil water and cook the ramen noodles according to package instructions then drain and set aside.
- Melt butter and add noodles to the same pan you cooked bacon in
- Add the sauce: stir in the soy sauce and the hoisin sauce and continue to cook stirring constantly tossing with tongs to coat noodles
- Finish the carbonara: Add the bacon and peas to the skillet and toss together.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the carbonara with some fresh chopped chives and some more freshly ground black pepper and serve while still warm.
Storage
Allow the carbonara to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It should last up to 4 days refrigerated.
More Irresistible Noodle Dishes You Will Enjoy:
Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 strips bacon, slice into ¼-inch pieces
- 4 (85 g/3 oz) packages dried ramen noodles
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 clove of garlic peeled and minced (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup hoisin sauce
- 1 cup English peas, cooked (feel free to cook and drain them along with the noodles or cook separately)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Scallions for garnish
Directions
- In a large skillet or saute pan over medium heat, cook the bacon until the fat is rendered and the meat is cooked through. Turn down the heat if necessary to prevent scorching.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Set aside.
- Remove the bacon fat from the sauce pan (reserve for another use, if desired) and leave any brown bits stuck to the pan.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the ramen noodle strands and cook until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Return the bacon skillet to medium-high heat and add the butter, the noodles as well as garlic and chili flakes if using. Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan into the butter and toss to coat the noodles.
- Pour in the soy sauce and hoisin sauce, turn the heat to high and stir constantly as the sauce thickens. Reduce the heat to low, mix in the bacon bits and peas and remove from the heat.
- Serve immediately. Use fork or chopsticks according to preference
