Creamy Spam Ramen with Soft-Boiled Egg

What even is this beautiful mess?

Look, I know what you’re thinking. “Spam? In ramen? Really?” YES, REALLY. This is my go-to lazy day comfort food that accidentally turned into something I’m actually proud to share with people. It’s crispy, salty Spam cubes swimming in a rich, creamy broth with perfectly bouncy noodles and a jammy egg on top. It’s what happens when you raid your pantry at 11pm and stumble upon greatness. This dish has gotten me through breakups, finals week, and that time my heat went out in January. Don’t knock it ’til you try it!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s CHEAP. Like, “end of the month before payday” cheap.
• Takes 20 minutes from “I’m starving” to face-planting into noodle heaven.
• That combo of crispy Spam and creamy broth is basically a hug in a bowl.
• Soft-boiled eggs make anything feel fancy, even when the star is canned meat.
• You probably have most of this stuff already.
• It’s endlessly customizable based on whatever sad vegetables are wilting in your fridge.
• Perfect for hangovers, heartbreaks, and Tuesday nights when cooking sounds like torture.
• The leftovers (if there are any) taste even better the next day.

The Good Stuff You’ll Need

The Essentials:

• 1 can of Spam (the original, not the low-sodium – we need that salt, trust me)
• 2 packages instant ramen (toss those flavor packets or save them for another culinary emergency)
• 2 eggs (the fresher, the better for peeling)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (or more, I don’t judge)
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated (or use the stuff in a tube, I won’t tell)
• 2 tablespoons butter (salted is fine)
• 1 tablespoon oil (whatever you’ve got)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (half-and-half works too, but come on, live a little)
• 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium if you’re using the flavor packets too)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or more to taste)
• 1 tablespoon mirin or rice vinegar (apple cider vinegar works in a pinch)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (non-negotiable, this makes it!)
• Green onions, sliced (as many as you want, both white and green parts)

The “Make It Prettier” Stuff (all optional):

• Nori sheets, torn into pieces
• Sesame seeds
• Chili oil or sriracha
• Corn kernels (canned is fine)
• Baby spinach (or any greens about to go bad in your fridge)
• Mushrooms, sliced
• Bean sprouts

PIN IT

Let’s Do This

The Perfect Jammy Egg (7 minutes):

1. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Don’t add salt – makes peeling harder.
2. Lower your eggs in gently with a spoon. Don’t just drop them unless you want egg water explosion.
3. Set a timer for EXACTLY 6 minutes and 30 seconds for the perfect jammy yolk. 7 minutes if you like it a little firmer. 6 if you like it runny.
4. While they cook, prepare an ice bath (fancy talk for “bowl of cold water with ice cubes”).
5. When timer dings, transfer eggs to the ice bath faster than you’ve ever moved before. Let them chill for at least 2 minutes.
6. Gently peel under cold running water. If you mess it up, just call it “rustic” and move on with your life.

The Spam Situation (5 minutes):

1. Cut Spam into 1/2-inch cubes. Yes, I know it’s weird and jiggly. Just do it.
2. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3. Toss in the Spam cubes and DON’T TOUCH THEM for 2 minutes. I’m serious. Let them get crispy on one side.
4. Flip and let them crisp on another side for about 1-2 minutes more.
5. Transfer Spam to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the flavorful fat in the pan. Try not to eat all the crispy bits while cooking the rest.

The Dreamy Broth (8 minutes):

1. In the same pan with the Spam fat (liquid gold), lower heat to medium and add butter.
2. Once melted, toss in minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt. Burnt garlic will ruin your day.
3. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the pan. Those bits are FLAVOR.
4. Add soy sauce and mirin/vinegar. Bring to a simmer.
5. If you’re using the flavor packets, add HALF of one packet now. Taste before adding more – this stuff is sodium city.
6. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes to get all friendly with the flavors.
7. Lower heat and stir in heavy cream. Don’t let it boil after this or it might separate and look gross (will still taste fine though).
8. Drizzle in that sesame oil at the end. This is non-negotiable.

Noodle Time (3 minutes):

1. In another pot, boil water for your ramen noodles.
2. Cook noodles for LESS time than the package says. Like, 30 seconds to 1 minute less. They’ll keep cooking in the hot broth.
3. Drain but DO NOT RINSE. I repeat, do not rinse the noodles!

Putting It All Together (2 minutes):

1. Divide noodles between two bowls.
2. Ladle that gorgeous creamy broth over the noodles.
3. Artfully arrange (or just dump) the crispy Spam on top.
4. Cut those jammy eggs in half and place them on top, yolk side up for maximum food pic potential.
5. Sprinkle with green onions and any other toppings you’re using.
6. Take a picture for social media to make your friends jealous before diving in.

Level-Up Your Ramen Game

• Serve with cheap chopsticks and a Chinese soup spoon to feel fancy while eating canned meat.
• A side of kimchi takes this to the NEXT LEVEL. The spicy, fermented crunch against the creamy broth? Chef’s kiss.
• Cold beer. Specifically an Asian lager like Sapporo or Asahi. Or whatever’s on sale.
• For dessert? Nothing. You’ll be in a food coma.

Switch It Up

• Hawaiian Style: Add a slice of grilled pineapple and use Spam Teriyaki flavor.
• Spicy Lover’s Dream: Add gochujang or sriracha to the broth and top with sliced jalapeños.
• Veggie Overload: Throw in whatever sad vegetables are in your crisper drawer – bok choy, carrots, bell peppers all work great.
• Budget Carbonara: Skip the broth completely, toss the noodles with cream, butter, and crispy Spam, then top with the egg so it creates a sauce when you break it.
• Breakfast Ramen: Use bacon instead of Spam and top with a fried egg instead of soft-boiled.
• Fancy Pants Version: Use real pork belly instead of Spam and homemade ramen noodles if you suddenly win the lottery or something.

Real Talk Storage

• This is best eaten fresh. Let’s be honest.
• BUT if you must save it, store the broth, noodles, Spam, and eggs SEPARATELY. Otherwise, you’ll have soggy sad noodles.
• Reheat the broth, then add the noodles just long enough to warm through.
• The eggs? They’re best made fresh, but if you have extra, keep them unpeeled in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• The crispy Spam can be reheated in a dry pan for a minute to crisp back up.

PIN IT

Questions My Friends Actually Asked

Q: Can I use turkey Spam instead?
A: You could, but why? The whole point is that salty, porky goodness. But if you must, then yes.

Q: I don’t have heavy cream! Now what?
A: Regular milk with a tablespoon of butter whisked in works. Or coconut milk for a different but delicious twist. Even a splash of evaporated milk will do in dire circumstances.

Q: How do I make this fancier for a date?
A: First, reconsider your date food choices. But if you’re committed, serve in actual ramen bowls, add sheet pan roasted vegetables on top, use fresh ramen noodles, and maybe don’t mention the Spam until after they’ve fallen in love with the dish.

Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Yes, but then it’s not Spam ramen, is it? Use vegetable broth and substitute extra-firm tofu that you’ve pressed and crisped up in the same way as the Spam. Season it heavily with soy sauce, liquid smoke, and a pinch of MSG for that umami quality.

Q: I overcooked my eggs and they’re hard-boiled. Did I ruin everything?
A: Drama queen. It’s fine. Chop them up and sprinkle on top. Next time, set a timer on your phone AND your microwave as backup.

Q: My roommate ate all my Spam. What else can I use?
A: First, get a new roommate. Second, any salty meat will work in a pinch – bacon, ham, even hot dogs cut into coins and crisped up. The spirit of the dish is “making do with what you have,” so embrace that.

Print