What to Serve with Ramen – 18 Best Sides
This post may contain affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Ramen is a comforting bowl of goodness that warms your soul! If you’re wondering what to serve with ramen, we have 18 delicious options for you!
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Homemade ramen is a rich broth with noodles, topped with succulent slices of pork, chicken, or tofu (for vegan ramen), and garnished with green onions, sesame seeds, and seaweed.
But why stop there? Let’s take your bowl of ramen game to the next level by exploring some fantastic side dishes that will complement your favorite noodle soup.
1. Gyoza (Japanese Dumplings)
These pan-fried or steamed dumplings are the perfect sidekick to your ramen, filled with a flavorful mix of pork, vegetables, and spices.
2. Edamame
Boiled young soybeans, lightly salted and served in their pods, are a classic Japanese snack that makes a great addition to a bowl of fresh noodles! Whether you’re having ramen broth soup or ramen noodle stir fry, edamame is a great addition.
3. Seaweed Salad
A refreshing mix of marinated seaweed, often seasoned with sesame oil and soy sauce. Ramen lovers will find the salty flavor of this side dish to be a great compliment to the dish.
4. Stir-Fried Bok Choy
Fresh bok choy stir-fried with garlic and raw ginger, creating a crisp and flavorful side dish. Bok choy brings a crunch to the table, and the garlic and ginger? They’re the life of the party!
5. Tempura Vegetables
Lightly battered and deep-fried veggies like green beans are a great side or even topping for your ramen recipe.
6. Kimchi
Fermented cabbage, radishes, and chili peppers create this Korean side dish with a spicy kick. This is one of the best side dishes, but can also be a topping for your bowl of noodles.
7. Chashu Pork Buns
Steamed buns stuffed with succulent slices of slow-cooked pork belly. This Japanese dish is a great side to make your ramen noodle soup more filling.
8. Korean Ground Beef and Rice
If using ramen as an appetizer or a side dish, this Korean inspired ground beef and rice recipe is a great main course. The flavor profile is bold and perfect with the smooth ramen.
9. Cucumber Sunomono
A refreshing cucumber salad marinated in a sweet and tangy rice vinegar dressing is perfect with a ramen bowl. Its simple ingredients make it super easy to make and enjoy.
10. Corn and Butter
Sweet corn kernels sautéed in butter, a popular ramen topping in Japan. Add these in with a variety of toppings for a filling noodle soup dish that wakes up your taste buds.
11. Sesame Spinach
Blanched spinach dressed in a sesame-infused soy dressing. These have a drizzle of sesame oil that gives a nutty flavor and pairs so well with noodle recipes.
12. Instant Pot Lo Mein
Lo mein noodles are a great option for serving with ramen with a similar flavor profile and both containing noodles.
13. Soft-Boiled Ramen Eggs (Ajitsuke Tamago)
Eggs marinated in a soy-based mixture, resulting in a soft, flavorful yolk that’s a favorite for many when it comes to ramen toppings. Break the yolk of that soft-boiled egg, and let the magic happen. You can also add a fried egg for a boost of flavor!
14. Japanese Potato Salad
Creamy potato salad with a Japanese twist! This recipe often contains cucumbers, carrots, and ham. Creamy, crunchy, and just the right kind of comforting to go with any type of ramen.
15. Yakitori Skewers
Grilled skewers of bite-sized chicken, glazed with a sweet soy-based sauce with those umami flavors, make a great side dish for your ramen soup.
16. Egg Rolls
Easy egg rolls are a great side dish option for ramen, the crunchy finger food is a great contrast to the ramen with broth.
17. Shrimp Tempura
Large shrimp coated in a light, crispy batter and deep-fried to perfection. Dip these golden delights in tempura dipping sauce for extra joy with the already flavorful broth of the ramen.
18. Japanese Pickles (Tsukemono)
Assorted pickled vegetables that vary in flavor and texture. Pickled veggies add a ton of flavor but also make a nice healthy addition to your miso ramen.
