Creative Meals for Today's Cook

  • Recipes
    • Courses
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast & Brunch
      • Entrée
      • Sides
      • Salads
      • Soup
      • Baking
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Pantry
    • Cuisine
      • African
      • Asian
      • German
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Latin
      • Mediterranean
      • Middle Eastern
      • Western
      • Fusion
    • Main Ingredient
      • Poultry
      • Pork
      • Beef
      • Lamb
      • Seafood
      • Eggs
      • Cheese & Dairy
      • Pasta
      • Rice & Grains
      • Noodles
      • Tofu
      • Vegetables & Fruit
      • Beans & Legumes
    • Diet
      • Vegetarian
      • Vegan
      • Pescetarian
      • Gluten Free
    • Seasons
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Recipe Collections
      • Winter Holiday Recipes
      • New Year’s Eve
      • Sports Parties
      • Party Foods
      • Quick & Easy
      • Healthy
      • Fried Goodness
      • Special Occasions
      • Valentine’s Day Recipes
      • Easter Recipes
      • Mother’s Day
      • Grilling Out
      • Thanksgiving
  • Recipe Index
  • Video Gallery
  • Pantry
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Click for more Hapa Nom Nom!

Instant Ramen Cacio e Pepe

April 15, 2020 by hapagirl 44 Comments

David Chang's Instant Ramen Cacio e Pepe - a genius recipe made in about 10 minutes.

A number of years ago, PBS aired the first season of The Mind of a Chef – an Anthony Bourdain production, featuring David Chang. As the title suggests, the show gives the viewer wonderful insight into the way a chef thinks, what their inspirations are, and what they’ve been working on. The show is fantastic and any time I feel like I need a shot of inspiration, I put on an episode… or two. Sometimes I’ll even binge-watch an entire season.

David Chang's Instant Ramen Cacio e Pepe - a genius recipe made in about 10 minutes.

I’ve always been a fan of instant ramen. As a kid I would crunch up the dried noodles, open the package, and snack on it after school.  Even now I have a craving for it from time-to-time.  So when I saw David Chang turn the lowly instant ramen package into a incredibly creamy cacio e pepe – I knew I had to try it!

So what is cacio e pepe? It’s a Roman pasta dish meaning ‘cheese and pepper’. Back when I was in school, I spent a semester in Florence and cacio e pepe was one of my very favorite dishes! It’s so simply made, but it’s so luxuriously creamy and wonderfully peppery.

David Chang's Instant Ramen Cacio e Pepe - a genius recipe made in about 10 minutes.

Chang’s recipe is pure genius! By the time the dried noodles absorb the cheesy liquid, they are al dente (or as close to al dente as instant noodles get), they are creamy, peppery, and so delicious – it took incredible will-power not to eat it all before I could photograph the dish. Check out a clip from Mind of a Chef: here.

Instant Ramen Cacio e Pepe
Recipe Type: Entree
Cuisine: Japanese/Italian Fusion
Author: Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom > David Chang
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 5 mins
Total time: 10 mins
Serves: 2 people
David Chang’s [url href=”http://luckypeach.com/recipes/instant-ramen-cacio-e-pepe/” target=”_blank”]Instant Ramen Cacio e Pepe[/url] – a genius recipe made in about 10 minutes.
Ingredients
  • 2 cups water
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • + black pepper (I used 3/4 teaspoon)
  • 1/2 cup pecorino Romano
  • 2 packages of instant ramen, seasoning packets set aside
Instructions
  1. In a large sauce pan, bring the water, butter, olive oil, and pepper to a boil.
  2. Once the butter has completely melted, reduce the heat to a simmer and add the cheese. Using chopsticks, stir constantly until the cheese has melted. (I found that using chopsticks vs a wooden spoon globs the cheese less). Immediately add the ramen bricks and continue stirring so the cheese doesn’t clump.
  3. Continue to stir and turn the noodles bricks until the noodles separate. Once separate, you want to constantly stir to develop a creamy sauce, approximately 3 1/2 – 4 minutes. (You can pour some of the liquid out if you’re getting close to the 3 1/2 – 4 minute mark and you still have a lot of liquid left).
  4. Divide the noodles among two bowls, grind a good amount of fresh ground pepper over top, and some extra cheese if you like. Serve immediately and enjoy!
3.4.3177

 

David Chang's Instant Ramen Cacio e Pepe - a genius recipe made in about 10 minutes.

Filed Under: Asian, Blog, Dishes, Entrée, Fall, Fusion, Italian, Noodles, Pasta, Quick & Easy, Recipes, Spring, Vegetarian, Winter Tagged With: anthony bourdain, Asian, butter, cacio e pepe, chang, cream, creamy, david chang, easy, instant ramen, italian, Japanese, mind of a chef, noodles, olive oil, Pasta, pepper, quick, ramen

« Easy One Pot Sausage and Rice
Spicy Chili Garlic Shrimp with Coconut Rice »

Comments

  1. Rosanna says

    June 26, 2020 at 5:46 am

    It was so good! Me and my roomate did this ramen this morning and we couldn’t stop eating it. The taste was really incredible. Thank you so much for the recipe.

    Reply
  2. FoodGeekGraze says

    January 13, 2016 at 5:37 pm

    i am also crazed over this recipe and have made it more times than i care to admit. love love love having a post of it to pin. the images above are stunning! team chang 🙂

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      January 13, 2016 at 9:20 pm

      Isn’t the recipe crazy good?! He’s such a genius!

      Reply
  3. Kristen @ The Endless Meal says

    December 27, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    I love how simple and delicious this sounds. Sometimes the best meals are those with the fewest ingredients. Yum!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 29, 2015 at 11:06 am

      I couldn’t agree more, Kristen! Hope you have a very Happy New Year!!!

      Reply
  4. Sabrina says

    December 24, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    Nice! I always wanted to make Cacio e Pepe- so cool you did it with ramen!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 29, 2015 at 10:54 am

      Thank you so much, Sabrina. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year!!!

      Reply
      • Sabrina says

        December 31, 2015 at 7:49 am

        Thanks, you too!!

        Reply
  5. Natasha @ Salt and Lavender says

    December 23, 2015 at 8:50 am

    This looks soo tasty! I love simple pasta dishes. I hope you have a great Christmas, Kathleen 🙂

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 29, 2015 at 10:49 am

      Thanks, Natasha! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas as well! We’ve been traveling and it feels good to be back home 🙂 Wishing you a very Happy New Year!!!

      Reply
  6. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says

    December 18, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    I really need to check out that show! And I happen to love ramen too and this fancy pants cacio e pepe sounds fantastic!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 21, 2015 at 8:13 am

      You have to check out the show! Each season features a different chef, I know you’ll just love it!

      Reply
  7. Marissa (@pinchandswirl) says

    December 18, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    This is a really fun idea, Kathleen. Ramen is a lunch fall-back at our house (I love KOYO mushroom ramen). I usually dress it up with bok choy, soy sauce and toasted sesame oil, but I love this Italian fusion twist! I’ll have to check out that show too – I love Anthony Bourdain and David Chang – in fact, even the way that David writes his recipes is pure entertainment.

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 21, 2015 at 8:15 am

      Yes, I love reading his recipes too! You’ve gotta check out the show – if you find his recipes entertaining, I know you’ll just love his little side comments, observations, and jokes 🙂

      Reply
  8. karrie @ Tasty Ever After says

    December 18, 2015 at 7:49 am

    I love the Mind of a Chef show! It’s the best show ever and I just want to hang out with David Chang for a day and go on a food crawl with him. Did you see the season with Magnus Nilsson? Oh man, that guy is absolutely brilliant! Hate to admit this, but sometimes when I watch shows like this, it makes me all teary eyed because the chefs show such a great love for food and customs related to the food. They are so serious and heartfelt in preserving the food’s history, as well as being innovated at the same time. I’m making this ramen dish this weekend! YUMMY!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 1:34 pm

      Yes! Omg, Nilsson is incredible too! Forget Hollywood stars, I would be totally star-stuck to see any one of them! I couldn’t have said it better myself – their reverence for food is so inspiring and they’re so freakin’ creative it just floors me every time!

      Reply
  9. Claudia | The Brick Kitchen says

    December 17, 2015 at 7:14 pm

    The Mind of a Chef sounds like a show I need to start watching asap – right up my alley! Will be top of my list for holiday watching, thank you! I went to David Chang’s Momofuku in Sydney the year before last, so based on that experience am sure anything of his would be incredible, including this ramen – such an amazing simple idea!! Fusion recipes are the best <3

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 1:29 pm

      Oh it must have been wonderful! I would definitely come out of there in debt – I’d have to order at least one of everything!

      Reply
  10. Mon Petit Four (@byMonPetitFour) says

    December 17, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    I used to eat dried ramen as a snack too! And I absolutely love cacio e pepe, so the fact that you paired the two is so so awesome! I am loving this, and I love the Mind of a Chef!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 1:27 pm

      To this day, I still love to snack on dried ramen! The breakfast of champions in my book 😛

      Reply
  11. In Good Flavor (@InGoodFlavor) says

    December 17, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    Now this is ramen noodle like I never had, and it sounds delicious! This is definitely a creative way to serve ramen. I am a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain. Watched all his shows…A Cook’s Tour, No Reservations, Parts Unknown, The Taste. I was unaware of this particular one that he produced. Need to check it out! Thanks, Kathleen.

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 12:43 am

      Oh it’s a fantastic show! One of my favorites from him! Each season they focus on one chef, so you really get to know them and see how they work in and out the kitchen.

      Reply
  12. Nagi@RecipeTinEats says

    December 17, 2015 at 1:10 pm

    SCREECH!!! I LOVE MIND of a chef!!! Two of the coolest dudes in food in one show? YES!!! As for this? I’m making it for dinner. Might not be able to wait actually. Might have to have it for LUNCH!!!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 12:39 am

      I think I’ve seen the first season at least 5 times – such a inspirational show! Cracks me up too!

      Reply
  13. Mira says

    December 17, 2015 at 12:46 pm

    I love Ramen noodles and can’t wait to try these! Need to watch that show, thanks for the recommendation 🙂

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 12:37 am

      Thanks, Mira! I think you’ll really like the show!

      Reply
  14. Lokness says

    December 17, 2015 at 10:57 am

    Oh Kathleen, this ramen looks amazing! So creamy and easy! I will try it very soon. When I was a kid, I also loved to eat dried ramen after school! Haha, I guess most Asian kids do! 😛 I know what TV I will be watching this weekend.

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 12:36 am

      Ha! I still eat dried ramen when I want a snack! I go to Costco and buy a pallets worth of instant ramen and just store in the basement in case there’s some type of natural disaster… except I always go down there and pull out packages to eat. My husband keeps telling me if there’s an emergency, I’ll have eaten all of our rations 😉

      Reply
  15. Huy says

    December 17, 2015 at 9:44 am

    Such a simple treat, nicely done! I’ve been wanting to try this, and his ramen gnocchi thing.

    I looove this show.. was kinda weird about April Bloomfield at first but I’ve come to really like her, and Sean Brock. Have you seen the new season with the azn dude yet?

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 12:33 am

      I haven’t seen the new season yet! Is it good?! It’s definitely on my to-do list when we get back! I’ve loved all the seasons so far, but the first is still my fav 😉

      Reply
  16. Lisa says

    December 17, 2015 at 8:40 am

    I’ve only watched a few episodes of Mind of a Chef, but I love them. I think I might need to go on a binge-watching session soon! These noodles look so tasty, Kathleen!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 12:29 am

      Thanks, Lisa! Tis the season of great binge-watching – grab a warm bowl of comfort food and curl up under a blanket on the couch 😉

      Reply
  17. Lyn says

    December 17, 2015 at 8:01 am

    I made this for dinner last night…as promised, it was delicious….Happy Holidays! Bon Voyage! Ciao!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 12:27 am

      That’s great, Lyn! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! And happy holidays to you too! 🙂

      Reply
  18. Janette Fuschi says

    December 17, 2015 at 7:40 am

    What a lovely and simple noodle dish, so comforting. Have a lovely holiday and Buon Natale!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 12:23 am

      Grazie mille! Happy holidays to you too! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Bam's Kitchen says

    December 17, 2015 at 6:08 am

    Wishing you a safe trip and a happy holiday. I love your Japanese- Italian fusion dish peppery and delicious. Have a super time in Italy and take lots of photos! Can’t wait to catch up upon your return. Take care

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 12:22 am

      Thanks sweetie! It feels so good to be back over here! I’m definitely going to be getting my ‘eat on’! 😛

      Reply
  20. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    December 16, 2015 at 11:02 am

    I have so many thank yous to give for this one post. I watched his video – thank you. And I promise you, there is no turning in the grave going on here, but I am quite happy Italians never adopted chop sticks – only because I cannot use them for the life of me! Thank you for sharing a recipe that’s by far one of my faves. Classic, humble, comfort food. And thanks for the nod toward “Mind of a Chef”! I have a feeling there’ll be a lot of winter watching going on… 🙂

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 12:21 am

      Lol! I had to laugh at his ‘Italians turning over in their grave’ comment too! We’re actually in Germany, about to drive to Italy for Christmas/skiing – I’ll let you know if I see anyone rolling 😛

      Reply
  21. Helen @ Scrummy Lane says

    December 16, 2015 at 10:50 am

    This is such an original, and yet simple, idea, Kathleen. I love it, and yes, now I really want to watch that show!

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 19, 2015 at 12:11 am

      He’s such a freakin’ genius! It just goes to show that some of the simplest and most uncomplicated foods can be incredible!

      Reply
  22. Lyn says

    December 16, 2015 at 8:06 am

    I love the simplicity of this recipe will try….Many many thanks for mentioning “Mind of a Chef” have already added to my netflix list….

    Reply
    • hapagirl says

      December 16, 2015 at 10:00 am

      Oh my gosh – you’re going to love ‘Mind of a Chef’! They’re on a regular repeat cycle in my house 😉

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Find a Dish!

I'm Kathleen and I live in the Atlanta area. In a lifelong search to discover where I belong and what group I identify with, I found that food is the strongest tie that brings us together. On Hapa Nom Nom, food is a kind of connective tissue, bringing my background, family, travels, and tastes together in one delicious bite. Find out more!

« Click for more recipes! »
Creative Commons License
Hapa Nom Nom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at hapanom.com.

Sharing Recipes

All images, recipes, and text on this site are my intellectual property and are protected under copyright. You are welcome to write about my recipe in your own words; however, please re-write the recipe and instructions and link back to Hapa Nom Nom as the original source. Thank you!

Copyright © 2013–2021 Hapa Nom Nom