Ramen Care Package / Meal Delivery for a Friend

the cheat code to helping a friend when you don’t know what else to do

Welcome to my series: Dinner Care Package, where we’re feeding our friends instead of telling them “Let me know if you need anything.” You’ll love my gyro care package, chili care package, and burrito bar care package, too.

After I made my first dinner care package—chicken burrito bar with sides of fruit, cookies, and margs—I felt so hooked and satisfied.

I’ve always been stuck in that no man’s land, where you want to help but don’t know how. You don’t want to ask, you know they’ll say there’s nothing you can do, or they promise to let you know if there IS. But they don’t reach out, and they won’t.

Instead, you know what I’ve realized? We have to help without their involvement.

Especially women, we’re so trained to not want to be a burden. Not to let someone help, in case we a) seem vulnerable or like we can’t do it or worse b) we put somebody out.

Override all of that and make this ramen care package for a friend who needs it.

Here’s what we’re doing:

• We’re taking one thing off their plate by putting another thing on it.

• We’re answering the “What’s for dinner?” problem without lifting a finger or spending a dime.

• We’ve arranged it so the kids can help themselves, meaning a night off servitude.

• We’re sending in fruit, treats, and drinks for a well-rounded meal experience.

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Here’s what we’re not doing:

• Taking any feedback at this time, thank you.

It’s dinner when they want. It’s lunches when they want. It’s not a mysterious casserole. It’s versatile and kid-friendly.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Deli containers

• Portion cups and lids (I like a large cup so I can fit more—more is better for this Aries)

• Aluminum pans with lids

Here’s how we’re doing it.

Ramen Care Package

• Broth (tonkotsu and/or shoyu), in deli containers. I found tonkatsu cartons at Costco (!!) which was perfect, but there are plenty of options at various groceries.

• Cooked ramen noodles

• Toppings

  • Sliced pork belly or cooked chicken. I went with sliced rotisserie chicken breast for ease, but this recipe is super easy for deliciously rich homemade chashu

  • Soft-boiled eggs. I marinated mine in lots of soy sauce with a few glugs of rice vinegar and mirin, and splash of sesame oil.

  • Scallions, sliced

  • Corn

  • Bean sprouts

  • Nori sheets

  • Chili crisp

  • Kimchi

  • Sesame oil

• Potstickers or gyoza + dipping sauce

• Edamame + flaky salt

• Dessert: mochi daifuku OR whatever (Grocery store cookies slap equally)

• Drink: Ramune or canned Japanese soda (canned matcha = bliss)

• Deli containers

• Portion cups and lids (I like a large cup so I can fit more—more is better for this Aries)

• Aluminum pans with lids