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I work from home as a food editor, which leads my friends to believe that I must cook a full meal at 12 p.m. every day. That is…not the case. Like pretty much everyone else, I used to rotate through hastily-planned lunches—hodgepodge salads, leftover odds and ends, the occasional $20 takeout—until this ramen quietly took over my routine.
Immi Instant Ramen
Price: $5.50 for one packet
Why I Love It: It’s legit good! Even though Immi is a high-protein ramen, the noodles don’t have an unpleasant high-protein taste or texture.
Credit: Simply Recipes / Immi
Why This Ramen Is a Desk Lunch Upgrade
I can’t recall how I discovered Immi Ramen, but I know I was sold immediately. Unlike regular instant ramen, one packet of Immi has 28 grams of protein and up to 12 grams of fiber. It’s also plant-based, which I appreciate as a vegetarian, since most other brands aren’t.
Most importantly, Immi ramen is tasty. The broth is loaded with umami flavor, and the noodles have a really pleasant, springy chew. There’s an excellent variety of flavors, too—including Spicy Red Miso and Spicy “Beef”—though I’m partial to the Black Garlic “Chicken” flavor.
In my experience, a lot of protein pasta is weirdly dry with a slightly earthy flavor. It’s definitely not a one-to-one replacement for regular pasta. It’s easy to overcook, too, which means you end up with a mushy, slightly earthy pasta. Not ideal. I don’t know how the guys at Immi managed to make high-protein ramen noodles that taste like noodles, but they did, and I’m grateful for it.
I work from home, so I boil this ramen on the stovetop for four to five minutes. (For people who work in an actual office, there’s a microwave method.) Each pack of ramen includes a seasoning packet. Immi also makes “ramen topping mix” with dried bits of vegetables or kimchi that you can add to the broth. I love the Spicy Garlic Kimchi Topping Mix, though it’s kind of expensive ($20 for a bag).
If you’re a more ambitious lunch-maker than I am, embellish your bowl with scallions, sesame seeds, seaweed sheets, or soft-boiled eggs.
Credit: Simply Recipes / Immi
Where To Buy Immi Ramen
You can find Immi at Target and on Amazon, and at niche grocery chains like Sprouts and Fresh Thyme. Immi also has a storefront on its website, which has a wider variety of flavors, though the ramen is definitely cheaper on Amazon and in stores ($5.50 to $6.50 on the Immi website, $4.39 to $5 elsewhere).
If you do try Immi, keep in mind that this is high-protein, plant-based ramen, and adjust your expectations accordingly. By that, I mean: The Spicy “Beef” is not going to have a strong beef flavor, because there’s no beef in it. The noodles don’t taste exactly like Top Ramen or Maruchan noodles because they’re made with pea protein, but they stand head and shoulders above other protein pastas.
Here’s the TL;DR—Immi is a good desk lunch for busy people. It will keep you full longer than a salad, and it tastes better than whatever compilation of leftovers lingers in the back of the refrigerator. Pick up one pack to make sure you enjoy the flavor and texture, then buy in bulk and never wonder what’s for lunch again.
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Dining and Cooking