Out with the cronuts and in with the ramen burger! A meat patty sandwiched between two fried ramen noodle buns, the ramen burger debuted and trademarked in Brooklyn on August 2 by inventor, Keizo Shimamoto.
I’m a food trend fanatic, always keeping abreast of what’s new in the hybrid food world. Today, I have for you the latest food craze…my rendition of the “ramen burger”.
Serves 2
Ingredients
- 1 package ramen noodles
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons olive or grapeseed oil
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1/2 tablespoon sriracha
- 1 beef burger patty (I used turkey for this recipe.)
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- 1 slice American cheese (optional)
- onion, yellow or red, slices
- tomato, slices
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup arugula (optional)
- Kosher salt, fresh ground pepper to taste
TIP
To shape the ramen into a bun, use mini tart pans (as pictured) or ramekins that are similar in size to the burger patty. If you don’t have ramekins, substitute pint-size deli containers.
Directions
- Cook the ramen according to the directions on the package (including the seasoning), then drain off the liquid. Let cool to room temperature. In a small mixing bowl, whisk 1 egg until no streaks of yolk remain. Add the ramen, tossing thoroughly to coat with the egg.
- Cover the ramen with plastic wrap (optional), and weigh it down with the bottom portion of the mini tart pan (you will need 4 separate bottoms to cover each tart pan) or a can of soup to compress it into a bun shape. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
- Add the oil to a skillet, and set over medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, unmold the ramen buns into the pan, and cook until the bottom is a dark golden brown. Flip both of the patties, and cook until a dark golden brown on both sides.
- Whisk together the sriracha and ketchup in a small bowl.
- Season the hamburger patty with salt, pepper, a splash of soy sauce, and sesame oil. Wipe out the skillet, and cook the burger over medium-high heat until medium rare, or to your preferred degree of doneness. Finish with a splash of soy sauce and sesame oil. Top with a slice of cheese. (I used a portable indoor grill, as pictured)
- Wipe out the skillet, and lower the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan, and fry 1 egg sunny side up.
- Assemble the burger in this order: ramen bun, arugula, ketchup, burger patty (cheese side up), fried egg, scallions, and the second ramen bun. Wrap in wax paper for easier eating, and serve hot.