Many people can’t help being pinned down to a busy schedule–so much so that they can’t be bothered to cook nor wait for food to be ready. God forbid you don’t skip your meals to focus on work! At the end of the day, remember that good food will fuel you to do a good job!
I’ve curated a list of delicious instant food that doesn’t take more than 5 minutes to prepare and cook. Most of these are available in bulk so you get to save even more compared to ordering take-out!
The quick answer is not exactly! Some instant food, particularly instant noodles, tend to have low calories but may also be low in fiber, protein, and other nutrients. That’s why we always recommend adding in your choice of protein and veggies, not only to make it a filling meal, but also to level up your dining experience.
However, more and more instant food producers are cutting down on sodium and fortifying their offerings with extra vitamins and minerals. Convenience and affordability are enjoyable but always consume instant food in moderation. That’s when it gets really fun!
Time to prepare and cook: 2 minutes
A good bowl of warm soup can do wonders to your mood and body–much more when you can have it in an instant! Annie Chun's Chinese-style Hot and Sour Soup Bowl features tender Hokkien Noodles soaked under restaurant-quality hot and sour broth with bok choy and shiitake mushrooms. Chili flakes add a touch of spiciness to warm you up even more.
Time to prepare and cook: 3 minutes and 30 seconds
Samyang’s Buldak Fire Chicken Noodles have always been the star of the Spicy Noodle Challenge. But have you heard of “Bulnak Noodles”? Whether you have or haven’t yet, you’re in for a spicy ride!
Bulnak Noodles are fire octopus noodles! Paldo’s Stir-Fried Bulnak Noodles gets its briny flavors from octopus extract. The packaging may say that its stir-fry sauce is sweet and spicy, but let us warn you that the heat is still on a nuclear level! To level up the dish, you can add green onions, red pepper, garlic, sesame oil, and even baby octopus for the complete Bulnak experience!
Time to prepare and cook: 4-5 minutes
Cup noodles are the pinnacle of convenience! And one of my most favorite ones would have to be Nongshim’s Spicy Seafood Neoguri Noodles. It has bouncy udon-style noodles and a briny-tasting broth that’s flavored by mussels, clams, and cuttlefish. Garlic and chili add spiciness to the broth but just enough to tickle your tastebuds. Adding fresh fish cakes to the whole mix can level up this hearty soup!
Speaking of carbs, we can’t forget about our carb-loading and rice-loving dads! Dragonfly Red Rice is a great way to get your carbs in along with antioxidants, vitamins B1 and B2, fiber, iron, and calcium. These all help in weight management and reducing inflammation. It also has a sweet and nutty taste that add character to the taste of your dishes. Its deep purple color is lovely too! Switching white rice for red rice doesn’t sound like a bad idea for dad!
Time to cook and prepare: 0 minutes– it’s ready to eat!
Low fat and high protein– who will say no to that! Captain Kim’s Dongwon Tuna packs 11 grams of protein and just 125 calories per serving. This is the perfect post-workout meal if you’re trying to build muscle. I’m sure that after lifting all those weights, you’ll want something easy to cook (or something that requires 0 cooking) yet is still very delicious.
Captain Kim uses direct-caught tuna that’s frozen immediately to ensure its chewy texture. It’s canned with water, canola oil, and vegetable broth to complement its fresh-from-the-sea flavors. I personally love adding it to my Korean gimbaps and picnic sandwiches, but you can also use it for instant stews and even tuna pasta dish!
Time to prepare: 2-3 minutes
When your throat begins to itch and you feel the early signs of sickness creeping in, flu medicine should be the first thing you should take. But while waiting for its effects to kick in, you can find instant relief from Honsei’s Instant Honey Ginger Tea. It has a soothing ginger spice flavor that’s perfectly balanced by the sweet honey taste. Each pack is made from all-natural ingredients with no caffeine added making this a light and relaxing Asian beverage. Even if you’re not sick, you can still enjoy this beverage hot or cold, or with garnishes like lemon slices or a dash of cinnamon!
When you have a jam-packed schedule ahead of you, it’s easy to forget about your meals. But there must be a window for you to rest and recharge through food. While eating instant food is an easy way of satiating your appetite, always prioritize eating fresh and nutritious food. You’ll thank yourself in the future for doing so. My curated Asian ingredients and simple recipes can help you get started.
For all your instant food needs, shop only at Karman Foods.
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