Many supermarkets offer gluten-free options, or some kind of alternative to their entire food range. As somebody with a gluten intolerance, having quick and easy access to gluten-free food is important to me. More importantly, it’s helpful when I’m visiting family and friends. However, in my experience these foods aren’t usually stocked in the farthest corners of the supermarket.
No, ramen isn’t gluten-free. However, you can easily find a gluten-free version of ramen from stores.
You can buy gluten free ramen from a number of different companies
There are a number of brands that make gluten-free instant ramen noodles. My favorite is Maruchan’s gluten-free instant noodles. I like them because they don’t have any weird additives and they’re pretty cheap about $1 per package.
Finally, you can buy dried ramen noodles from Amazon and make them yourself. You just boil water, put in the noodles, add some oil and seasoning, then let it sit for a few minutes before eating them with your favorite toppings.
You can also make your own ramen if you are cooking for yourself or for other people with celiac disease
Ramen noodles are made from wheat flour, which is not gluten-free. However, many of the packaged ramen brands are now making gluten-free versions. This includes Maruchan and Nissin, which make Top Ramen, as well as Ichiban and Sapporo Ichiban.
There are several recipes available online that use rice noodles or bean thread noodles in place of wheat flour noodles. These recipes usually call for a packet of seasoning mix that comes premixed with shoyu mirin and sugar already added to it, so all you have to do is cook your meat and vegetables, add the noodles and broth and heat everything together.
Rice noodles in general are gluten-free
Rice noodles in general are gluten-free. However, there are many products that contain gluten, so you should check the ingredients list on any packaged product before eating it. The following foods have been confirmed to be gluten-free by the manufacturer:
- Rice noodles – There are many types of rice noodles available. Some are made with eggs and some are made with water. Those made with eggs may be safe for those who have a mild sensitivity to gluten if they are prepared correctly. Those made with water should be safe for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity as well as people who follow a vegan diet.
- Rice vermicelli (also known as rice sticks) – These thin strands of rice are often used in Asian cooking and can be found in both fresh and dried versions. They are also called “glass noodles” because they look like glass when cooked properly. Rice vermicelli is made from mung bean starch and water, so it is naturally gluten-free.
- Rice paper – Rice paper is made from rice flour and water, so it is naturally gluten-free as well. It comes dried in sheets or folded into circles or squares, which are then soaked in water until soft before being used.
Most instant ramen noodles contain gluten
If you have celiac disease or follow a gluten-free diet, you’ll want to steer clear of this popular food. The wheat flour used in most ramen noodle packages is often contaminated with gluten. So if you’re on a gluten-free diet, eating ramen is off limits.
In addition, many packaged varieties contain MSG (monosodium glutamate) and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (trans fats). These can aggravate symptoms in people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. However, there are a few brands that offer gluten-free options for those who need them.
There are a few brands of instant ramen that are gluten-free
Instant ramen is a popular Japanese dish that is made from wheat noodles. It is prepared by boiling the noodles in water, then adding flavorings and toppings such as spicy stir-fried vegetables or meat. There are several brands of instant ramen that are gluten free:
- Koyo Ramen – This brand makes several flavors of instant ramen that contain no wheat, barley or rye. The varieties include vegetable miso chashu pork flavor, vegetable miso stewed pork flavor, chicken curry flavor and chicken teriyaki flavor.
- Nissin Cup Noodles Spicy Chicken Flavor – These noodles come in a cup and have no wheat, rye or barley ingredients. The package also contains instructions for preparing them on the stovetop instead of just boiling them in water like normal instant ramen.
Some ramen noodle soups do not contain gluten
Ramen noodles are a popular Asian dish. They usually consist of wheat flour, salt and water. Ramen noodles can be made from scratch or purchased in dried packets at the grocery store. Ramen noodles are also available in fresh form, but these are more difficult to find. Ramen noodles are typically made from wheat flour, which often contains gluten.
Those who have celiac disease or gluten sensitivities should avoid eating ramen noodle soup because it contains gluten. Some ramen noodle soups do not contain gluten, however, so if you’re unsure of whether your favorite dish is safe for you to eat, contact the manufacturer before eating it.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, due to the fact that many processed foods contain gluten, and because most gluten-free products are not strictly processed, it is nearly impossible to know whether a food contains gluten or not. This may be discouraging to those on strict diets, but there are several ways to go about avoiding the presence of gluten in products, as well as widely avoiding cross-contamination of food.