Full disclosure: this article works better as a video, which you can view by clicking above. However, for the sake of completion, I’m giving this one a write-up in the same way as my video reviews. Read on if you’d like to learn more about this simple little noodle hack!
Read more: Noodle Journey: Momofuku Noodles – The Basic HackAfter reviewing all three varieties in the Momofuku noodle lineup, I came to the same conclusion about two of them: great noodles, boring sauce. While that’s not a great thing, it does actually make them a nice blank canvas. So let me explain to you how to take those underwhelming packets and turn them into something way more satisfying with just a few simple additions. In the video, I used a Soy & Scallion pack, but you can pull this off with any of the Momofuku flavors (or even many A-Sha flavors!).
You’ll need:
- 1 egg (I go with sunny-side up, but do what you like)
- Fresh scallions
- A little oil for sauteeing
- Furikake seasoning (I used aji nori, but you can use any furikake flavor that strikes your fancy – just because the label says it’s for rice doesn’t mean it won’t work with noodles too!)
- Optional: shichimi togarashi for spice and acidity
The entire process takes about six minutes. I sauté the white parts of the scallion in oil to infuse it with flavor, pulling them off the heat just as they start to get ever-so-slightly brown. That scallion oil is liquid gold, I promise. Then cook the egg to your liking.
Top the noodles with the sauteed scallions and scallion oil, add your egg, and finish it all off with the remaining scallion greens, furikake, and a dash of shichimi togarashi (if you want spice). The result is a complete meal instead of a plain side dish. It transforms the base Momofuku noodles into something with protein, texture, brightness, and heat (if you opt for the shichimi) without needing to open your wallet or spend forever in the kitchen.
I don’t assign a score here since it’s a hack and your results will depend on how you make it, what kind of furikake you buy, etc., but it’s absolutely worth the extra effort. Plus, there are tons of variations you could try with different furikake blends, chili crisp, garlic, or even a few drops of one of my favorite hot sauces, Bravado Aka Miso hot sauce.
If you liked this, check out Momofuku’s own hack videos on their YouTube channel as well!
Notes since filming: I had titled this “The Basic Hack” with the intention of filming a more elaborate “hack” down the road that never materialized. Maybe someday if I get struck with inspiration. The truth is I’m very much over Momofuku’s noodles as a result of David Chang’s litigious trademarking shenanigans and so I don’t have a big desire to revisit Momofuku’s products very often.
Also, I can say as a professional software developer (my day job) that it is perfectly acceptable to use the term “hack” when elevating your instant noodles. One entry in Merriam-Webster defines a computer hack as “to write computer programs for enjoyment.” Wouldn’t the equivalent action of customizing your noodles for enjoyment fall into the same category? As someone who quite literally does both things, the answer is yes.
Also worth noting, the furikake I featured in this video goes great with yakisoba and Samyang Buldak.
