Named a Best Cookbook of Summer 2025 by Bon Appetit and Epicurious | Wired Best Cookbook of 2025
“Where some might see a cheap, ubiquitous food product, Kim sees a world of possibilities and wonder.” ―The Washington Post
“This is a joyful deep dive into a pantry staple . . . Kim breaks down instant ramen’s innovative invention, explores its historical context, shares his steps for how to make any packet your own, gives you a field guide to the most iconic brands, and more.” ―Epicurious
A delightful deep dive into the versatility of instant ramen, this umami-rich instruction manual with 40+ international recipes will help you become a better chef and get creative in the kitchen using a classic comfort food slurped around the world.
Instant ramen, while a seemingly simple dish straight out of the packet, is the quintessential blank canvas to practice improvising in the kitchen. Ready in ten minutes and a forgiving partner due to its baseline deliciousness, a bowl of tasty noodles results from any experimentation, no matter how far-flung. Author Peter J. Kim breaks down his philosophies on creating perfect harmony in your bowl through 40+ transformative recipes, a fool-proof methodology, an instant ramen flavor wheel, and robust pantry recommendations, plus a field guide to different ramen varieties and flavor profiles.
For those in search of even more ways to think outside the packet,
Instant Ramen Kitchen is complete with unique comfort food recipes from all corners of the globe that demonstrate the beloved noodle’s versatility and flavor-enhancing qualities, including:
- Xi’an-style Cumin Lamb Ramen
- Budae Jjigae (Korean Army Stew)
- Ramen alla Marinara
- Ramen Fideuā (Catalan Noodle Paella)
- B.E.C. Ramen (Bacon, Egg, and Cheese)
After helping you perfect the basics, Kim offers a peek inside his own improvisations that have resulted in nourishing, delicious, and soul-satisfying meals that are great to enjoy any time of day. Following his example, it’s time to let the flavorful fun begin, creating your own unique ramen masterpieces.ALWAYS IN THE MOOD FOR COMFORT FOOD: Over 100 billion servings of instant ramen are consumed worldwide each year. And everyone loves to weigh in with their favorite preparation: Kylie Jenner likes it with butter and garlic powder. David Chang puts Pecorino Romano in his cooking liquid. Astronauts even eat them in space! Join the crowd with this practical and inspiring guide to noodlicious culinary exploration.
LEARN TO COOK: Here is everything you need to learn to cook using a beloved and familiar product. It's easy, versatile, and affordable, making it the perfect dish to experiment with. The stakes are low if you mess up: you haven't spent more than twenty minutes or $20, but you've gained a world of knowledge in the kitchen.
EASY GIFTING: This is the perfect gift for the ramen-loving people in your life. Part nerdy deep dive, part fun-filled celebration, it makes a great present or self-purchase any time of year, from the cold-weather holidays and springtime graduations to housewarmings for new owners or renters and inspiration for people looking to jazz up a weekly meal.Perfect for:
- Noodle lovers and anyone who likes ramen, Asian cuisine, and comfort foods
- Home cooks and dorm dwellers
- Novice and experienced cooks who enjoy preparing quick and easy meals
- Parents who enjoy cooking with their kids
- Gift-giving for birthday, graduation, holidays, housewarming, wedding shower, or any occasion
Peter J. Kim is the author of Instant Ramen Kitchen: 40+ Delicious Recipes That Go Beyond the Packet (Chronicle Books, Sept. 2025) and a food entrepreneur who breathes, sleeps, and, above all, eats food culture. He is the founder of The Infinite Table, an immersive experience blending food, storytelling, and 360° video, and was the founding director of the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD), shaping it into a groundbreaking institution that explores the intersection of cuisine, history, science, and culture. He was the former head of Creator Partnerships at Pinterest, where he led culinary and lifestyle content initiatives for over 450 million users. He also hosted and created Counterjam, Food52’s acclaimed food and music podcast. Peter has been featured by such media outlets as The New York Times, The New Yorker, NPR, CBS, NBC, The Wall Street Journal, and more. He lives with his two kids in New York City, where he eats several bowls of instant ramen per week.
