The best vegetables for ramen soup are the ones that will absorb the flavors of the broth while still being able to hold their own. Some of the best vegetables for ramen soup include mushrooms, bok choy, carrots, and onions.
Knowing what vegetables go into ramen soup is important.
Very important. I would even go so far as to say that it’s a life skill.
And while you may be tempted to just use whatever you have in your fridge (I see you, college students), I’m here to show you that there are so many other delicious options out there.
So, whether you’re looking for a hearty soup or something on the lighter side, read on for my top 13 picks.
Read Also: The Best Cheeses for Ramen
What Vegetables Go in Ramen Soup?
Some common vegetables that go in ramen soup are mushrooms, bok choy, carrots, and green onions. You can also add broccoli, cabbage, daikon radish, kale, and spinach.
Still looking for ideas?
Then just keep scrolling!
Here are 13 vegetables that go good in ramen soup:
Cucumber
Cucumbers have a mild, lightly sweet taste that goes well with the savory flavors in most ramen soup recipes.
They also have a crisp, refreshing texture that makes them a great topping for a bowl of hot soup.
And, they’re super easy to prep – just slice and add to your soup!
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veggie to Your Soup
- Slice cucumbers into thin rounds and add to your soup bowl.
- Dice cucumbers into small pieces and add to your soup.
- Julienne cucumbers into thin strips and add to your soup.
Butternut Squash
Sweet, moist and nutty tasting, butternut squash is the perfect veg to add to your ramen soup recipe.
It’s got a lovely dense texture that makes it filling, and it’s easy to prepare – simply peel and chop into cubes.
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veggie to Your Ramen Soup
- Try roasted butternut squash: Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the squash and adds a lovely depth of flavor to the soup. Simply roast the squash in the oven until tender, then add it to the soup at the end.
- Puree the squash: This will give the soup a lovely creamy texture and make it extra filling. Simply cook the squash until tender, then puree in a blender or food processor and add it to the soup.
- Use canned squash: If you’re short on time, you can use canned squash. Simply add a can of squash (drained and rinsed) to the soup and heat until warm.
Broccoli
Raw broccoli is very crunchy with a vegetal, slightly bitter taste.
When cooked, broccoli becomes softer, but still retains some of its crunch.
It’s a versatile veg that can be used in a variety of soups.
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veggie to Your Soup
- Raw: Add some raw broccoli to your soup for a crunchy texture.
- Steamed: Steam broccoli before adding it to your soup to keep it slightly crunchy.
- Roasted: Roast broccoli and add it to your soup for a deeper flavor.
Potatoes
White potatoes have a subtly sweet mild taste that goes well with the savory flavors in most ramen recipes.
They also have a slightly starchy texture that helps to thicken the soup and make it more filling.
And, since they’re already cooked when you add them to the soup, they don’t require any extra prep.
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veggie to Your Soup
- Dice one or two white potatoes into small cubes and add them to your soup when you add the broth.
- Cut one or two white potatoes into thin slices and add them to your soup when you add the noodles.
- Mash one or two white potatoes and add them to your soup when you add the other vegetables.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes have a mild, starchy, sweet taste that goes well in savory dishes.
They are also very versatile in terms of texture – you can leave them whole, dice them, or even mash them.
And, they are relatively easy to prepare – simply peel and chop them into the desired shape.
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veg to Your Soup
- Dice sweet potatoes into small cubes and add them to your soup during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking.
- Slice sweet potatoes into thin pieces and stir them into your soup just before serving.
- Mash sweet potatoes and stir them into your soup to thicken it up.
Mushrooms
All mushrooms are known for their unique unami flavor profile and their slightly chewy texture.
I like to use mushrooms in ramen soup because they add a hearty element to the dish without making it too heavy.
They also don’t require much prep – a quick rinse and chop is all you need.
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veggie to Your Soup
- Sauté mushrooms with onions and garlic in a bit of oil before adding them to the soup. This will bring out their flavor and make them extra delicious.
- Add mushrooms to the soup along with the other vegetables. They will cook in the broth and absorb all the flavors.
- Use mushrooms as a topping for your soup. Slice them thin and sauté them with a bit of oil and soy sauce. Top the soup with the mushrooms and enjoy.
Fresh Spring Peas
Fresh peas have sweet and savory notes that complement the umami flavors in ramen soup perfectly.
Their texture is slightly starchy but still has a pleasant bite to it.
And, they don’t require much prep beyond a quick rinse under cold water.
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veggie to Your Soup
- Stir-fry the peas with the other vegetables before adding the broth.
- Add the peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Garnish the soup with fresh peas right before serving.
Asparagus
Asparagus has a subtle sweet-bitter flavor that pairs well with savory dishes like ramen soup.
It’s also relatively low in calories and a good source of fiber and vitamins.
Plus, it’s quick and easy to prepare – simply wash and trim the ends before adding to your soup.
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veggie to Your Soup
- Add asparagus spears to your soup during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Cut asparagus into bite-sized pieces and add to your soup along with the other vegetables.
- Puree cooked asparagus and add it to your soup for a creamy, flavorful broth.
Leeks
Leeks have a sweet, oniony flavor that is perfect for soups and stews.
They are also very versatile in terms of texture.
You can leave them whole and they will add a nice crunch to your soup, or you can chop them up and they will add a more mellow flavor.
Leeks are also very easy to prepare.
All you need to do is wash them and then slice them into thin pieces.
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veg to Your Soup
- Add leeks to the soup pot when you are sautéing the onion and garlic.
- Add leeks to the soup when you are adding the broth.
- Add leeks to the soup when you are adding the vegetables.
Cabbage
Raw cabbage has a bitter taste and a crunchy texture.
It’s also very easy to prepare – simply slice or chop and add to your soup recipe.
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veggie to Your Soup
- Sliced or chopped raw cabbage can be added to your soup during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Cabbage can also be sautéed or stir-fried and then added to your soup.
- Finally, you can also try adding pickled cabbage to your soup. This will add a bit of sweetness and acidity to the dish.
Kale
Kale has a strong and earthy flavor that I think works really well in a hearty and savory soup.
It also has a nice texture – it’s slightly chewy and has a bit of a bite to it.
I also love that it’s a super healthy veg to add to my soup.
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veggie to Your Soup
- Chop up a few leaves of kale and add them to your soup when you’re simmering the broth.
- Stir in some kale pesto (homemade or store-bought) when you’re adding the other seasonings to your soup.
- Top your bowl of soup with some shredded kale and a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Onion
Onions can range from sweet to sour, soft to crisp, tangy to dripping with umami.
They add a lot of depth and flavor to a dish, and can be used in a variety of ways.
I personally love onions because of their versatility – you can fry them, sautee them, bake them, or even eat them raw.
They can be a main ingredient or a supporting one, depending on how you use them.
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veggie to Your Soup
- Add some chopped onions into your soup pot when you’re sauteeing your aromatics. This will give the soup a nice onion flavor without being too overpowering.
- If you want a more intense onion flavor, you can add a roasted onion into your soup. Just cut an onion in half, drizzle with olive oil, and roast in the oven at 400 degrees until it’s soft and caramelized. Then, add it to your soup pot and let it simmer.
- Finally, you can use onion powder to flavor your soup. This is a great way to add onion flavor without having to chop up an onion. Just add a teaspoon or two of onion powder to your soup and let it simmer.
Garlic
Chopped raw, garlic has a pungent taste and odor that can add a lot of flavor to a dish.
It’s also relatively easy to prep – simply peel and chop!
3 Easy Ways to Add This Veggie to Your Soup
- Add garlic when you’re sautéing your other veggies.
- Throw in a few cloves of garlic towards the end of cooking.
- Use garlic powder to add flavor without the actual veg.
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What Vegetables Go in Ramen Soup? (13 Best Veggies)
Ingredients
- Cucumber
- Butternut Squash
- Broccoli
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Mushrooms
- Fresh Spring Peas
- Asparagus
- Leeks
- Cabbage
- Kale
- Onion
- Garlic
Instructions
- Pick your favorite veggies from this list to use in your ramen soup.
- Prepare the rest of your meal.
- Enjoy in no time!