Some common mistakes when making ramen are over boiling the ramen noodles, cooking the ramen noodles directly in the broth and skipping the addition of fresh toppings.
Cooking the ramen noodles directly in the broth is okay if you prefer to do it that way, however when you cook or boil the ramen noodles in the broth directly, it dilutes the broth and can make the ramen noodles gummy because of the starches.
Instead, it's best to always cook the ramen noodles and then drain the ramen noodles in a separate pot of water and then add the broth or sauce packet to some hot water and then pour it over the ramen.
However if you're cooking instant ramen you can also just fill the bowl with some water and then add in the seasoning packet and then stir it once done.
Ramen should also always be slightly chewy when cooked or al dente.
Cook the ramen noodles for 1 to 2 minutes less than the package says to cook them, as the residual heat from the hot water or broth will finish cooking the ramen noodles.
Other common mistakes when making ramen are dumping in the whole seasoning packet, especially when you need to watch your sodium intake.
Many instant ramen noodle packets are loaded with sodium.
So you should ideally use about 1/2 to two thirds of the ramen seasoning packet and then customize the base of the ramen noodles with some miso paste, garlic or soy sauce instead.
Also adding too much water to the ramen noodles makes the ramen noodles bland.
Instead follow the package measurements carefully, which is usually 500 ml to 550 ml of water per serving.
The seasoning packet in ramen noodles is also just a base.
You can also elevate the ramen noodles by using fresh ingredients like soft boiled eggs, green onions, toasted nori or even a drizzle of sesame oil.
You can also add other vegetables, hot sauce or even some bacon bits, bacon, sausage, hamburger meat or anything else you can think of.
Letting the ramen noodles sit too long after cooking, other than letting it cool down is a mistake as well.
Ramen noodles also soak up the liquid and degrade quickly, so you should serve or eat the ramen noodles immediately after it cools down enough, while the ramen noodles are firm and the broth is still steaming hot.