The Bacon Hack Your Ramen Needed All Along
Bacon seems to weasel its way into every time of day: Every meal that has ever needed fat content or a meaty crunch to compliment it has opted for bacon or its close brother, pork belly, to keep things interesting. Instant ramen, and even time-consuming tonkotsu, can often feel overly simple; and that's typical of casual eating that takes less than 30 minutes, like a simple chicken ramen. The addition of bacon contributes to the broth in a way that makes the meal feel less slapped together, even a touch gourmet.
Bacon fat, which tends to stick to the surface after pan-searing, is a great addition to an instant ramen broth. As the fat mixes with the liquid content it creates a dish that is filling and full of flavor. If pan-searing isn't an option, then adding bacon slices, bringing the whole mix to a boil, and placing the noodles in last, is a quick, easy fix. A bouillon cube, or part of one, can help reseason the broth or stretch the meal if you need to add water to feed more than yourself.
But, what if you don't have bacon handy?
Close alternatives to bacon for your ramen
It's no secret that bacon has a close brother in the form of pork belly whose thickness can at times be preferable to bacon's paper-thin crunch. Time is usually a factor, however; so, if a fast meal on the way out the door is the goal, pork belly won't cut it.
If time isn't a factor, pork belly can be prepared in the same way — either boiled or seared. But, it contributes more fat content to the broth, as well as meat, along those lightly browned edges. You can't go wrong, though, so long as adequate time is given for it to cook through.
Sesame seeds and garlic can be a great addition, too, if bacon doesn't end up appealing to you. However, for those who enjoy it, egg (as is typical in ramen eateries) and bacon-adjacent meat work excellently together — just like they do for breakfast — for a satisfying flavor addition to any ramen.