How To Make Shin Ramyun Less Spicy: ANSWERED!
Fancy tucking into a bowl of noodles, but need to know how to make Shin Ramyun less spicy?
I’ve got you covered! Here, we’re going to take a look at just how hot it really is, and share practical tips for toning it down…
How hot is Shin Ramyun?
How you handle spicy food tends to be subjective, so what you might find fairly mild, another person might find intolerably hot.
The best way to objectively measure heat is via Scoville Heat Unit (SHU), a tool created to measure the spiciness of different varieties of pepper. Shin Ramyun has a SHU score of 2,700.
To put this into context, jalapenos’ SHU typically comes somewhere between 2,000 – 8,000 SHU. At the other end of the scale, Samyang Buldak spicy ramen comes in at an eye-watering 10,000.
Shin Ramyun has certainly got a kick to it, so if you find it a bit too much for your tastebuds, you’re certainly not alone!
How can you make Shin Ramyun noodles less spicy?
If you’re in a hurry, here’s the short answer…
The simplest way to make Shin Ramyun noodles less spicy is to use less of the spice packet. Using just half or a quarter will make a big difference to the spice levels, and you can experiment to find what works best for you.
Alternatively, you may want to consider adding extra ingredients to your Shin Ramyun noodles. Let’s explore this option a little more, and look at some of the best choices…
- Add a dairy product to neutralise some of the heat
Dairy is one of the easiest ways to turn down the spiciness of noodle based dishes.
Just add a dollop of heavy cream or soured cream, or even cream cheese or a slice of American cheese, and stir through. Taste, and add more dairy if you feel like you need to. If you don’t eat dairy, you can use a coconut milk alternative instead.
- Add lime juice
Acidic ingredients such as lime juice can also neutralise spice. Lemon juice can have the same effect, as can vinegars. Interestingly, this can have a big impact on the overall flavour and really help the taste to shine through.
A touch of lime juice is my secret ingredient in a wide variety of savoury dishes, from chilli con carne to soups, and it hugely enhances other ingredients whilst providing balance to both bitterness and sweetness.
- Add peanut butter
When you add a dollop of peanut butter to Shin Ramyun noodles whilst they’re still hot, it’ll quickly melt into the sauce. It tempers the heat, and it also adds a delicious satay style element to the overall flavour. You can also use cashew or almond butter if you prefer, or tahini.
- Add eggs
Adding eggs to your instant noodles will help to tone down that spiciness, but it’ll also create a more balanced meal with an extra serving of protein. You’ve got various options here. You can make a crispy fried egg, or even a simply boiled egg. Either way, make sure that the yolk is runny for maximum satisfaction! Some people even like to add scrambled eggs to their noodles.
- Add meat and veggies
A bowl of instant noodles can be transformed into an exciting meal by adding meat and veggies. This will also help to tone down the spice, and you’ll be getting an extra serving of protein and nutritious vegetables towards your 5-a-day.
Good choices for meat include shredded leftover chicken or pork, prawns, octopus, or seafood sticks. If you’re vegetarian, you could use crispy marinaded tofu instead. In terms of veggies, grated carrots, mushrooms, peppers, and onion all work well.
Final thoughts on making Shin Ramyun noodles less spicy
As we’ve covered, the easiest way to make your noodles less hot is to use less of the seasoning packet. You can also add extra ingredients such as soured cream, lime juice, and peanut butter. With a little experimentation, you can find the heat level and the flavour that you enjoy the most.
Before you go, you might also want to check out my guide to what to add to Shin Ramyun… It’s full of extra ideas for toppings that will instantly elevate your noodle game!
