Maruchan Tomato Flavored Ramen

By John, 22 August, 2020

Maruchan discontinued their tomato flavored ramen in 2003. It was one of my favorite flavors, and every few years I think of it fondly. 

Last year I had an idea on how I could recreate the flavor. It involved tomato powder, but I had to buy a whole mess of tomato powder and I wasn't sure about doing that for a single test.

A few months ago, I got a dehydrator. So I dehydrated some tomatoes. I blended them, but the seeds didn't really powder, so I sifted the seeds out so I had some fine powder. The powder I made was very fresh and tomato-ey. 



My plan for a first draft was to mix some tomato powder with a chicken ramen seasoning packet. One teaspoon powder gave a vague tomato flavor. Two teaspoons were not enough. Three teaspoons was pretty close!

I think the chicken flavor was competing with the tomato though. Next step will be to recreate the actual tomato flavor packet -- going to start with a bit of MSG, a little salt, the tomato powder, and maybe some powdered oregano, powdered basil, and a smidge of citric acid perhaps?