Comforting Easy Spicy Shrimp Ramen Noodles With Lime Juice

Get ready to dig into this comforting, easy, spicy shrimp Ramen bowl with lime juice—it’s so delicious. The noodles are cooked in quick homemade shrimp stock and topped with savory garlic butter shrimp and green onion. A twist of lime and a hint of lemongrass make this easy, spicy noodle bowl one for the record books. 

My daughter loves making inventive noodle dishes. Her latest creation is spicy shrimp ramen noodles with garlic butter shrimp. It’s culinary genius to elevate the lowly cheap Ramen noodles to a satisfying meal. This particular recipe makes enough to feed a family of four. 

If you love this noodle dish, you will jump for joy over our Japanese beef Gyudon rice bowl!

​Why You will love this recipe

It’s not expensive. Using Ramen noodles significantly reduces the cost of this meal, an essential factor in today’s rising grocery prices in a limited food budget world. 

Full flavored. The mixture of aromatics in the shrimp stock makes the whole dish come alive with flavor. 

Simple yet delicious. The food prep may take some time, but the dish is pretty simple to replicate, and the flavors are out of this world yummy.

Let’s start making this easy dinner dish.

We begin by taking the shells off of the shrimp. The shrimp are Pacific White Shrimp that have been deveined. By purchasing deveined large shrimp, you save all that extra work, which, let’s face it, isn’t fun. Once you remove the shells, add them to your jumbo cooker with some vegetable oil on medium-high heat. We are sautéing the shells until they are cooked to a nice red color. That process takes approximately 3-4 minutes. 

​During that time, you can crush and grate the other aromatics: fresh ginger, garlic, and lemongrass. Once the shells have become red, add the water with the aromatics to the jumbo cooker. You will also add brown sugar and gochujang. Leave it uncovered and simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to develop. 

​You can use this time to make the garlicky shrimp. Heat the butter and the fresh chopped garlic in a fry pan. Allow the garlic to sauté one minute before adding the shrimp. Cook the shrimp until they are an excellent, cooked pink color. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can get rubbery. This will take about 3-5 minutes. 

​Turn your attention back to the seafood stock during this time, and using a strainer, remove all the bits and pieces of the aromatics. Be sure to get all the shrimp shells out. Bring it back to high heat and add the soya, fish sauce, and soybean paste. Add the white onion from the green onions and bring the whole thing to a boil. It’s time to cook the noodles. 

​Carefully lay the four dry noodle bunches into the broth. You don’t want to splash yourself with hot liquids. Press down slightly to immerse the noodles, so they cook thoroughly. You can also now add the lime juice to the broth. 

​The shrimp should be cooked by now and removed from the heat while the noodles wait to finish up. Once the noodles are cooked, add a ladleful or two of the spicy broth to a wide bowl. Use tongs to lift and twist the noodles into a neat pile in the center of the bowl. Add six shrimp to the top of the Ramen bowl off to one side. Add two thinly sliced pieces of lime for garnish, and sprinkle some green onion stems over the bowl’s surface. 

​Serve the comforting spicy noodle bowls with chopsticks and enjoy while hot for the perfect weeknight dinner. 

​Ingredients:

​Pacific White Shrimp Deveined: Adds a succulent and flavorful protein element to the ramen. The shells in the seafood stock infuse it with a rich and salty essence, enhancing its depth and flavor profile.

​Water: Serves as the base for the broth.

​Lemongrass: Infuses a bright, citrusy aroma and flavor into the broth, lending a refreshing and aromatic quality.

​Garlic provides a robust, spicy flavor that complements the other ingredients, adds complexity to the broth, and gives the garlic shrimp an added oomph.

​Lime Juice: Adds a tangy acidity that balances the broth’s richness and brightens the flavor profile.

​Gochujang: Contributes depth, heat, and a hint of sweetness to the broth, creating a complex and spicy flavor profile.

​Fish Sauce: Enhances the savory and umami notes of the broth while imparting a subtle depth of flavor from fermented fish.

​Red Soybean Paste: Adds a rich, earthy flavor and a reddish hue to the broth, enhancing its complexity and depth.

Brown Sugar: Balances the flavors of the broth by adding a subtle sweetness that complements the savory and spicy elements.

​Fresh Ginger: Infuses a warm, aromatic spiciness into the broth, adding depth and complexity to its flavor profile.

​Vegetable Oil: Helps to sauté and bring out the flavors of the shrimp shells.

​Green Onion: Adds freshness, color, and a mild onion flavor to the dish.

​Substitutions And Add-Ins For This Comforting Instant Ramen Noodles Dish

​Pacific White Shrimp Deveined: Substitute with cooked chicken, tofu, or mushrooms for a vegetarian option, maintaining protein and flavor diversity. 

​Water: Replace with chicken or vegetable stock for a different flavor profile while maintaining depth and richness.

​Lemongrass: Substitute with lemon zest or juice for a similar citrusy aroma and flavor.

​Garlic: Use garlic powder or minced garlic for convenience or shallots for a milder, sweeter flavor.

​Lime Juice: Replace with lemon juice for a similar acidic brightness or rice vinegar for a tangy twist. Or serve the garnish as lime wedges instead of sliced so the diner can add a squeeze of lime juice to their shrimp dish. 

​Gochujang: For heat and depth, use sriracha, chili, or miso paste for a milder, earthy flavor.

​Fish Sauce: For a vegetarian alternative, substitute soy sauce tamari or Worcestershire sauce for a similar umami punch.

​Red Soybean Paste: For a similar savory depth, use miso paste, soybean paste, or tomato paste for a touch of acidity and richness.

​Brown Sugar: Can be omitted or replaced with honey.

​Fresh Ginger: Use ground ginger or ginger paste for convenience, or omit it for a more straightforward flavor profile.

​Vegetable Oil: Substitute with olive oil, sesame oil, or avocado oil for different flavor notes, or omit for a lighter dish.

​Green Onion: For a similar onion flavor, use chives, leeks, or cilantro for a fresh herbal garnish.

​Add-Ins: For those who like to up the spice level, serve with a side of their favorite hot sauce. Grilled baby bok choy is an easy way to add a vegetable element.

​Expert Tips, Serving And Storage Suggestions:

​Expert Tip #1: Time Management. When working in the kitchen, it’s easiest to prep all the vegetables and gather ingredients beforehand. Watching your time to maximize your work will help you make this dish seamlessly.

​Expert Tip #2: Don’t overcook the shrimp. When making the garlic butter shrimp, stop cooking them when they are firm, opaque, and pink. They will be cooked into a ‘C’ shape. If you are still trying to determine if they are cooked, you can use a food thermometer. The internal temperature of the shrimp is at least 145 °F (63 °C).

​Expert Tip #3: Experiment with garnishes. Elevate your ramen experience by experimenting with unique garnishes such as toasted sesame seeds, crispy shallots, or a dollop of chili paste for added depth and texture.

 When serving ramen, present the steaming bowl alongside chopsticks and soup spoons for straightforward enjoyment. Ensure it’s served immediately after assembly to maintain optimal freshness and flavor. Ramen is a comforting meal, perfect for lunch, dinner, or whenever you’re seeking a hearty, satisfying dish.

​To store leftover ramen, transfer any remaining broth and noodles into separate airtight containers and refrigerate them promptly. Consume within 2-3 days for the best quality. When reheating, gently warm the broth on the stovetop over low heat to prevent it from boiling vigorously and potentially overcooking the noodles. Add the noodles to the warmed broth and heat until thoroughly heated.

​Join in and share your thoughts on this delicious ramen recipe! We want to hear whether you’ve tried it or have questions about the ingredients or process. Your comments and feedback help us improve our recipes, and we love to connect with fellow food enthusiasts. So don’t hesitate to comment below, and let’s chat about ramen!