Instant noodles have been a favourite meal (or snack) in Singapore for decades, with authentic flavours and tummy-filling goodness. Instant noodles are perfect for eating quickly on-the-go, or for sitting down to enjoy with family and friends as an addition to a bigger traditional Singaporean buffet-style dining experience.
Instant noodles are also a dish that can be easily enjoyed by everyone, as there’s a universe of toppings and flavourings that can be added to really make it personal for each individual. From meat options like duck and beef, veggies like pumpkin, all the way to a world of sauces and spices – here are KOKA’s 11 favourite additions to our wide variety of wholesome noodle products with options for carnivores, vegans and vegetarians.
1. Pesto
This classic Italian sauce combines ingredients like garlic cloves, parmesan and basil, which gives it its signature green colour. Once exclusive to traditional pasta dishes, this delicious paste can bring a punch of fresh flavour to your instant noodles.
Not only is it tasty, but ingredients like olive oil and pine nuts contain unsaturated fats, which may help improve blood cholesterol.
1. Pesto
This classic Italian sauce combines ingredients like garlic cloves, parmesan and basil, which gives it its signature green colour. Once exclusive to traditional pasta dishes, this delicious paste can bring a punch of fresh flavour to your instant noodles.
Not only is it tasty, but ingredients like olive oil and pine nuts contain unsaturated fats, which may help improve blood cholesterol.
2. Cheese Slices
Many of us struggle to add extra calcium to our diet. Adding cheese to a noodle dish can be a great way to improve your intake of this essential mineral, that safeguards our long-term health by reducing our chance of developing the bone disease osteoporosis.
When placed on noodles, something magic happens to cheese slices, creating a luxurious, luscious texture that is wonderful, particularly in combination with gochujang, Korean chilli paste. Plus, they have a very long use-by period, meaning that your topping may last as long in the fridge as your packet of noodles does in the cupboard!
2. Cheese Slices
Many of us struggle to add extra calcium to our diet. Adding cheese to a noodle dish can be a great way to improve your intake of this essential mineral, that safeguards our long-term health by reducing our chance of developing the bone disease osteoporosis.
When placed on noodles, something magic happens to cheese slices, creating a luxurious, luscious texture that is wonderful, particularly in combination with gochujang, Korean chilli paste. Plus, they have a very long use-by period, meaning that your topping may last as long in the fridge as your packet of noodles does in the cupboard!
3. Sesame Seeds and Flaxseeds
Sesame seeds and linseeds are tiny seeds packed with oils that have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine for their varying health benefits. They’re a great source of fibre, have been known to lower cholesterol, and may help lower blood pressure.
Sprinkle them on top of your KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles for extra fibre and nutty flavour boost and for something a little fancier, add braised duck.
3. Sesame Seeds and Flaxseeds
Sesame seeds and linseeds are tiny seeds packed with oils that have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine for their varying health benefits. They’re a great source of fibre, have been known to lower cholesterol, and may help lower blood pressure.
Sprinkle them on top of your KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles for extra fibre and nutty flavour boost and for something a little fancier, add braised duck.
4. Edamame Beans
Much like sesame seeds, these little beans (commonly used in Japanese cuisine) are little bursts of flavour that are also packed full of protein. Adding them to your noodles will add a nice variety of textures and an earthy flavour, as well as a pop of colour for the aesthetics of the dish! Shell the beans before adding them to make sure they’re not too chewy.
Try our recipe KOKA Chilli & Lime Purple Wheat Noodles with Salmon for a nutritious lunch and top with the edamame.
4. Edamame Beans
Much like sesame seeds, these little beans (commonly used in Japanese cuisine) are little bursts of flavour that are also packed full of protein. Adding them to your noodles will add a nice variety of textures and an earthy flavour, as well as a pop of colour for the aesthetics of the dish! Shell the beans before adding them to make sure they’re not too chewy.
Try our recipe KOKA Chilli & Lime Purple Wheat Noodles with Salmon for a nutritious lunch and top with the edamame.
5. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is highly nutritious and rich in vitamin A (one of the vitamins that works to protect your eyesight). Pumpkin is easy to incorporate into your instant noodles for a sweet and satisfying texture hit – just bake and stir through, or leave the skin on and have it in chunks for extra fibre!
Try our recipe KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles with Pumpkin, Cheese, and Arugula.
5. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is highly nutritious and rich in vitamin A (one of the vitamins that works to protect your eyesight). Pumpkin is easy to incorporate into your instant noodles for a sweet and satisfying texture hit – just bake and stir through, or leave the skin on and have it in chunks for extra fibre!
Try our recipe KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles with Pumpkin, Cheese, and Arugula.
6. Sriracha
Sriracha has unofficially been crowned as the international QUEEN of hot sauces – and hot sauces are actually known to have a few health benefits! They may be able to aid in weight loss through their capsaicin content (which speeds up your metabolism), as well as combating congestion and the flu. Just stir in after your noodles have cooked for extra spicy flavour.
6. Sriracha
Sriracha has unofficially been crowned as the international QUEEN of hot sauces – and hot sauces are actually known to have a few health benefits! They may be able to aid in weight loss through their capsaicin content (which speeds up your metabolism), as well as combating congestion and the flu. Just stir in after your noodles have cooked for extra spicy flavour.
7. Mushrooms
Obviously, it’s no secret that mushrooms are amazing for our health, and personalising an instant noodle dish is the perfect place to get creative and start experimenting with ones you may not have tried before. Shiitake, enoki, porcini? They are low in calories and high in fibre, protein and important nutrients such as B vitamins. Why not try adding them with some seaweed and sprouts or arugula?
7. Mushrooms
Obviously, it’s no secret that mushrooms are amazing for our health, and personalising an instant noodle dish is the perfect place to get creative and start experimenting with ones you may not have tried before. Shiitake, enoki, porcini? They are low in calories and high in fibre, protein and important nutrients such as B vitamins. Why not try adding them with some seaweed and sprouts or arugula?
8. Chilli and Lime
We know these are actually two ingredients, but chilli and lime are a match made in heaven when it comes to adding to instant noodles! Chilli (much like sriracha) is known to speed up the metabolism and decrease congestion, and lime is packed with vitamin C to ward off coughs and colds.
Try our KOKA Chilli and Lime Purple Wheat Noodles with Salmon recipe.
8. Chilli and Lime
We know these are actually two ingredients, but chilli and lime are a match made in heaven when it comes to adding to instant noodles! Chilli (much like sriracha) is known to speed up the metabolism and decrease congestion, and lime is packed with vitamin C to ward off coughs and colds.
Try our KOKA Chilli and Lime Purple Wheat Noodles with Salmon recipe.
9. Prawns
For the carnivores out there, it is easy to default to popular proteins for noodles, like beef, chicken or duck. However, seafood can be a delicious addition to instant noodles, incorporating protein without being heavy enough to create that sluggish ‘food coma’ afterwards.
Why not start with our KOKA Aglio Olio Purple Wheat Noodles with Shrimp or our KOKA Spicy Black Pepper Noodle Medallion?
9. Prawns
For the carnivores out there, it is easy to default to popular proteins for noodles, like beef, chicken or duck. However, seafood can be a delicious addition to instant noodles, incorporating protein without being heavy enough to create that sluggish ‘food coma’ afterwards.
Why not start with our KOKA Aglio Olio Purple Wheat Noodles with Shrimp or our KOKA Spicy Black Pepper Noodle Medallion?
10. Turmeric
Turmeric is an Asian spice typically used in Indian cuisines and gives a nice bright yellow mustard colour to curries. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, try adding some turmeric powder to your next bowl of ramen noodle soup.
Impress your colleagues and even liven up your dish with some ginger and black pepper (which actually helps to aid absorption of the key compound in turmeric “curcumin”). In just a few minutes you can add extra colour and nutrition to your lunch!
10. Turmeric
Turmeric is an Asian spice typically used in Indian cuisines and gives a nice bright yellow mustard colour to curries. Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, try adding some turmeric powder to your next bowl of ramen noodle soup.
Impress your colleagues and even liven up your dish with some ginger and black pepper (which actually helps to aid absorption of the key compound in turmeric “curcumin”). In just a few minutes you can add extra colour and nutrition to your lunch!
11. Seaweed
If you enjoy your noodles hot and spicy, then take things to an entirely new level of flavour with the addition of seaweed. Paired perfectly with kimchi or sriracha, the seaweed is a natural taste enhancer.
Seaweed is also rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and protein, making it good for weight loss.
11. Seaweed
If you enjoy your noodles hot and spicy, then take things to an entirely new level of flavour with the addition of seaweed. Paired perfectly with kimchi or sriracha, the seaweed is a natural taste enhancer.
Seaweed is also rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and protein, making it good for weight loss.
TAKE YOUR NOODLES TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH KOKA
If you want to take your noodles to the next level, look in your fridge and read through our recipes to find new ways to enjoy your meal. There are lots of ingredients you can add to give a boost of protein and nutrients such as healthy fats, fibre and vitamins. Get creative and excite your taste-buds. Check out the full range of KOKA Noodle Products including our new range of KOKA Delight Noodles and KOKA Purple Wheat Noodles and see how easy it is to make a delicious meal.