I ain’t frontin’! This idea belongs right up there with a leaked Kardashian nude, a Bieber breakup, or anything Kanye tweets. It’s a tad stunty, but I had to, ’cause it’s friggin’ delicious! The ramen burger would fit in at a birthday bash, kegger, or potluck, or maybe one of those Friday nights when you just want to impress yourself and your dog. This sandwich is a bit of a messy one, and you will not look good eating it. But I dare you to take a walk where the wild things are, and if you make this please send noods to @hotforfood.
Ingredients
Prep Ahead
- The Thousand Island or The Spicy Sriracha Aioli
- The BBQ Sauce, optional
Sandwiches
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 4 vegan burger patties, or 8 patties for a double decker
- ½ cup The BBQ Sauce
- 4 vegan cheddar cheese slices
- ½ cup The Thousand Island or The Spicy Sriracha Aioli
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 tomato, sliced thick
Ramen Patties
- 2 vegan onion or other bouillon cubes dissolved in 3 cups water, or 3 cups low-sodium vegetable stock
- 4 3 (oz/100 g) packs instant ramen noodles (vegan-friendly)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for frying
How to Make It
- To make the sandwiches, heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the burger patties for about 3 minutes on each side or until lightly charred. Then coat one cooked side with the BBQ sauce, flip, coat the other side, and cook for another 3 minutes. Flip, place a cheddar slice on top, and cook for 3 more minutes. Lower the heat or turn off the heat and cover the pan to keep the patties warm and continue melting the cheese.
- Meanwhile, prepare the ramen patties. Bring the stock to a boil. Add the noodles and cook for 3 minutes. You could also use the instant ramen flavor packet instead of bouillon or stock. Drain the ramen but do not rinse.
- Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and add a coating of vegetable oil. Lightly coat 1 or 2 ring molds, each 2½ inches in diameter, with vegetable oil. Place the ring molds in the pan. Fill each ring with ramen noodles to just below the top edge. Oil a spatula or spoon and use it to press and pack the noodles firmly in the rings while you cook them for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the ring and again press the ramen patties down to cook the other side for approximately 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low as the pan gets hotter. Remove the cooked ramen patties to a wire rack and gently remove the rings. You might need to trim any stuck noodles, but don’t pull them or the patty will unravel. Continue this process until you have 8 ramen patties. As long as the rings and the pan are oiled, there shouldn’t be much unraveling.
- To assemble the sandwiches, coat one side of each ramen patty with Thousand Island. Place a handful of lettuce on top, then add a burger patty with melted cheese, tomato, and another drizzle of BBQ sauce, and top with a ramen patty.
