Meal preparation becomes effortless with these protein-enriched instant noodle cups. Packed with rice noodles, chicken, vegetables, and a delightful broth, these do-it-yourself instant noodle cups are an ideal choice for a nourishing and wholesome lunch throughout the week.

If you’re a fan of instant noodles, you must give these DIY instant noodle cups a try! They are not only incredibly quick and simple to put together, but the ingredient combinations are virtually endless. Once you grasp the concept, you can effortlessly customize these DIY noodle cups to your liking.

What You’ll Need

Here is the list of ingredients you’ll need to create my version of homemade instant noodle cups:

• Instant Noodles: The spotlight is on rice vermicelli, but you can opt for rice noodles, ramen, soba noodles, or udon noodles as well.
• Chicken: A bit of cooked shredded chicken for added protein.
• Edamame: Frozen edamame to boost the protein content.
• Cabbage and Carrots: Some shredded napa cabbage and carrots for texture and fiber.
• Green Onion: For color and crunch.
• Chicken Bouillon: A dollop of chicken bouillon paste to transform boiling water into a flavorful noodle broth.
• Soy Sauce: To season the broth with a touch of salt.
• Red Chili Paste: To add a spicy kick to these instant noodle cups. I suggest gochujang, but other chili paste or chili oil varieties will work just as well.

Besides these core ingredients, I like to finish off my instant noodle cups with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro for a touch of freshness and vibrancy.

How to Make DIY Instant Noodle Cups

Creating homemade instant noodles is such a breeze that it hardly requires a recipe. Here’s a simple guide:

• Add the ingredients to a glass container (or mason jar) and store them in the fridge.
• When you’re ready to enjoy, fill the cups with boiling water, cover, and let them sit for 10 minutes.
• Once the noodles become tender, give the ingredients a good stir and savor the flavors!

While I’ve designed these instant noodle cups for meal prep purposes, perfect for keeping in the fridge throughout the week, they also make an excellent choice for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, weekend lunch, or a delightful way to serve a crowd on a chilly day. Simply lay out the ingredients on a table and let people construct their own instant noodle cups.

Nutrition Tip

Chicken bouillon is one of those puzzling ingredients that isn’t exactly “real food” but isn’t inherently unhealthy either. As not all brands are created equal, it’s best to scrutinize the ingredients and opt for versions made with the most wholesome ingredients possible. However, don’t stress too much about it since the per-serving quantity is minimal and doesn’t warrant much concern.

Variations and Substitutions for DIY Noodle Cups

Homemade instant noodle cups are exceptionally versatile and can feature a variety of noodles, protein sources, vegetables, and broth flavors. Here are my top ingredient recommendations for delicious and nutritious instant noodle cups.

Best Noodles for Instant Noodle Soup

While I utilized rice vermicelli noodles in my recipe, you can use several different types of noodles for homemade instant noodle cups. As long as the noodles are quick-cooking with boiling water, they will work perfectly. Options include: