How to Cook Costco Frozen Ramen Perfectly

Ajinomoto Tokyo Style Shoyu Ramen with Chicken is a frozen Japanese noodle soup sold at Costco warehouse stores.

Each box contains six individually packaged bowls with ramen noodles, seasoned chicken pieces, vegetables, and a soy sauce broth base.

You can find it in the frozen food aisle near other Asian items like Costco potstickers and spring rolls.

This guide covers three cooking methods. The microwave takes 4 minutes. Stovetop runs 5-7 minutes. Instant Pot needs just 1-2 minutes under pressure.

All methods get your noodle soup to a safe internal temperature of 165F.

Product Details

Product: Ajinomoto Tokyo Style Shoyu Ramen with Chicken

Type: Frozen, pre-cooked noodles with broth base

Package Size: 56.7 oz total (6 bowls at 9.45 oz each)

Price: $13.49-$14.99 at Costco (Updated January 2025)

Storage: Keep frozen at 0F or below

Calories per Serving: 390-410 per bowl

Main Ingredients: Ramen noodles, seasoned white chicken meat, soy sauce broth, corn, carrots, green onions, red bell peppers

Item Number: 1081557

Cooking Methods Comparison

Recommended Method: Microwave for fastest preparation with the bowl included in the package.

Method 1: Microwave (Recommended)

The microwave method takes 4 minutes and uses the bowl that comes with the product. No extra dishes needed.

This is the official cooking method from Ajinomoto.

Step 1: How Do You Prepare the Frozen Ramen Bowl?

Remove the bowl from the freezer. Peel off the plastic film completely.

Instructions:

1. Take one frozen ramen bowl from the box
2. Completely remove the plastic film covering the top

Equipment: None required

Step 2: What Temperature and Time Do You Use?

Fill the bowl with water to the marked line. Microwave on HIGH power for 4 minutes.

Instructions:

1. Add cold water up to the fill line printed inside the bowl
2. Place bowl in microwave uncovered
3. Cook on HIGH (100% power) for 4 minutes

Power Level: HIGH (100%)

Time: 4 minutes

Step 3: When Do You Stir the Ramen?

Stir after the cooking cycle completes. The broth base sits at the bottom and needs mixing.

Instructions:

1. Use oven mitts to remove the bowl (extremely hot)
2. Stir well with chopsticks or a fork to combine noodles, broth, and toppings

Checkpoint: At 4-minute mark when microwave beeps

Step 4: How Do You Know When It’s Done?

The broth should steam visibly. Noodles should be tender but still have some chew.

Instructions:

1. Check that broth is steaming hot throughout
2. Test a noodle for tenderness
3. Let sit 1 minute before eating (contents are very hot)

Target Temperature: 165F internal

Visual Indicator: Steam rising from broth, noodles fully separated

Method 2: Stovetop

The stovetop method takes 5-7 minutes but gives you more control over noodle texture. You can also add extra ingredients while cooking.

Step 1: How Do You Prepare the Product?

Transfer the frozen contents to a saucepan. The original bowl is microwave-only.

Instructions:

1. Remove plastic film from frozen bowl
2. Turn bowl upside down over a medium saucepan to release contents

Equipment: Medium saucepan with lid

Step 2: What Temperature and Time Do You Use?

Add water and cook covered on medium-high heat until the broth melts and noodles separate.

Instructions:

1. Add 1 cup of water to the saucepan
2. Cover and cook on medium-high heat for 5 minutes
3. Use chopsticks to separate noodles once broth melts

Temperature: Medium-high heat

Time: 5-7 minutes total

Step 3: When Do You Stir?

Start stirring once the broth has mostly melted, around the 3-minute mark.

Instructions:

1. At 3 minutes, check if broth is liquid
2. Gently separate noodle clumps with chopsticks or fork

Checkpoint: At 3-minute mark

Step 4: How Do You Know When It’s Done?

Broth should be at a gentle simmer. Noodles should be fully separated and tender.

Instructions:

1. Bring broth to a gentle boil
2. Check that all toppings are heated through
3. Transfer to a serving bowl immediately

Target Temperature: 165F internal

Visual Indicator: Broth bubbling gently, steam rising, noodles separate easily

Method 3: Instant Pot

The Instant Pot method takes 1-2 minutes under pressure. Good for hands-off cooking when you want to prep other things.

Step 1: How Do You Prepare the Product?

Transfer frozen contents directly into the Instant Pot inner pot.

Instructions:

1. Remove plastic film from frozen bowl
2. Place frozen ramen block in Instant Pot
3. Add 1.5 cups of water or chicken broth

Equipment: Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker

Step 2: What Pressure and Time Do You Use?

Cook on high pressure for 1-2 minutes. The noodles cook quickly under pressure.

Instructions:

1. Lock lid and set valve to Sealing position
2. Press Pressure Cook or Manual button
3. Set to HIGH pressure for 1 minute

Pressure: HIGH

Time: 1-2 minutes

Step 3: When Do You Release Pressure?

Quick release immediately when the timer beeps. Do not let pressure release naturally or noodles will overcook.

Instructions:

1. When timer beeps, immediately turn valve to Venting
2. Wait for float valve to drop

Checkpoint: Immediately at timer completion

Step 4: How Do You Know When It’s Done?

Open lid carefully. Noodles should be tender and broth hot throughout.

Instructions:

1. Open lid away from face to avoid steam
2. Stir well to combine broth and noodles
3. Transfer to serving bowl

Target Temperature: 165F internal

Visual Indicator: Steam when opened, noodles fully tender

Safety and Quality Indicators

Food Safety:

• Internal Temperature: 165F minimum
• Steam Check: Broth should steam visibly when stirred
• Thawing: Never thaw before cooking. Cook from frozen state

Quality Indicators (Done Properly):

• Noodle Texture: Tender with slight chew, not mushy
• Broth: Hot throughout, steaming
• Chicken: Heated through, no cold spots
• Vegetables: Soft but not disintegrated

Signs of Overcooking:

• Noodles are mushy or falling apart
• Vegetables have lost all texture
• Broth has reduced too much

Serving Suggestions

Portion Size: 1 bowl (9.45 oz) per serving (6 servings per package)

Serving Ideas:

• Add a soft boiled egg sliced in half for extra protein
• Top with green onion slices and sesame seeds
• Drizzle with sesame oil or chili oil for umami flavor boost

Pairing Recommendations:

• Pair with steamed edamame for a complete meal
• Serve alongside Costco gyro meat for added protein
• Add nori seaweed sheets for authentic ramen style

Storage and Reheating

Leftover Storage:

• Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking
• Store in airtight container
• Consume within 2-3 days
• Note: Noodles will absorb broth and soften over time

Reheating Instructions:

• Microwave: 2-3 minutes at HIGH, stir halfway
• Stovetop: 3-4 minutes over medium heat, add splash of water if needed
• Target Temperature: 165F

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue: Noodles are clumped together

Cause: Not enough stirring after cooking, water not distributed evenly

Solution: Spread water evenly over frozen noodles before microwaving. Stir thoroughly immediately after cooking.

Issue: Broth is too salty

Cause: High sodium content in the shoyu base (1700mg per bowl)

Solution: Add extra water to dilute. Start with water slightly above the fill line. Those watching sodium levels should consider this carefully.

Issue: Noodles are still hard in spots

Cause: Uneven heating, microwave hot spots

Solution: Cook an additional 30-60 seconds. Make sure water covers all noodles before cooking.

Issue: Bowl is too hot to handle

Cause: The bowl heats significantly during microwaving

Solution: Always use oven mitts. Place a plate under the bowl before microwaving to make removal easier.

Product Variations and Related Items

Similar Costco Products:

• Costco yakisoba stir fry (Ajinomoto) – stir fried noodles, no broth, 3 minute cook time
• Costco udon noodles – thicker wheat noodles, different texture
• Tonkotsu ramen (shelf stable) – pork bone broth style, found in dry goods section

Other Quick Costco Meals:

• Costco fried rice pairs well as a side dish
• Costco wontons can be added to the ramen broth
• Costco egg rolls make a good appetizer alongside

Which Method Should You Choose?

Choose Microwave when:

• You want the fastest option (4 minutes)
• You’re cooking a single serving
• You don’t want extra dishes to wash
• You’re taking it to work for lunch

Choose Stovetop when:

• You want to add extra vegetables or protein while cooking
• You prefer more control over noodle texture
• The original bowl isn’t microwave-safe in your setup

Choose Instant Pot when:

• You want hands-off cooking
• You’re making multiple bowls at once
• You’re already using your Instant Pot for other items

Time Comparison:

Instant Pot (1-2 min + pressure time) < Microwave (4 min) < Stovetop (5-7 min)

Convenience Ranking:

Microwave (no prep, no dishes) > Instant Pot (hands-off) > Stovetop (most control)

Nutrition Facts

Per bowl (268g serving):

• Calories: 390-410
• Total Fat: 7-8g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 30mg
• Sodium: 1700-1850mg (74% DV)
• Carbohydrates: 53-63g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 5-8g
• Protein: 20-22g
• Iron: 20% DV

The high sodium content comes from the soy sauce broth base. If you’re watching your sodium intake, this frozen noodle soup may not be the best choice for daily eating.

FAQ on How To Cook Costco Frozen Ramen

How long does it take to cook Costco frozen ramen in the microwave?

The microwave method takes 4 minutes on HIGH power.

Just peel off the plastic film, add water to the fill line, and cook uncovered.

Stir well after heating. The bowl gets extremely hot, so use caution when removing it.

Can you cook Ajinomoto ramen on the stovetop instead of the microwave?

Yes. Transfer the frozen ramen to a saucepan with 1 cup of water.

Cover and cook on medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes. Use chopsticks to separate the noodles once the broth melts.

This method works well when adding extra vegetables or protein.

What is the best way to cook Costco ramen for better noodle texture?

The stovetop method gives you the most control over noodle texture.

You can remove the ramen from heat the moment noodles reach your preferred tenderness. Microwave cooking sometimes makes noodles slightly softer than restaurant-style ramen.

Do you need to thaw Costco frozen ramen before cooking?

No. Cook directly from frozen.

The product is designed for cooking from a frozen state. Thawing first can result in soggy noodles and uneven heating.

The broth base melts during the cooking process.

How much sodium is in one bowl of Costco shoyu ramen?

Each bowl contains approximately 1700-1850mg of sodium. That’s about 74% of your daily recommended intake.

The high sodium content comes from the soy sauce broth. Adding extra water can help dilute the saltiness if needed.

What toppings can you add to Costco frozen ramen?

Classic ramen toppings work great. Try a soft boiled egg, sliced green onion, nori seaweed, or sesame seeds.

A drizzle of sesame oil or chili oil adds an umami flavor boost. Extra vegetables like spinach or bok choy also work well.

Can you cook Costco ramen in an Instant Pot?

Yes. Place the frozen ramen in your Instant Pot with 1.5 cups of water or broth.

Cook on HIGH pressure for 1-2 minutes. Quick release immediately to prevent overcooking the noodles.

How do you know when Costco frozen ramen is fully cooked?

The broth should steam visibly when stirred. Noodles should be tender with a slight chew.

Internal temperature should reach 165F for food safety. All chicken pieces and vegetables should be hot throughout with no cold spots.

Why are my Costco ramen noodles clumping together?

Water distribution is usually the issue. Make sure to spread water evenly over the frozen noodles before microwaving.

Stir thoroughly immediately after cooking. The broth base sits at the bottom and needs mixing to coat all noodles properly.

How many calories are in Costco Ajinomoto ramen?

One bowl contains 390-410 calories, with 20-22 grams of protein and 53-63 grams of carbohydrates.

The frozen noodle soup also provides 20% of your daily iron needs. It makes a quick weeknight dinner or substantial office lunch.

Conclusion

Now you know how to cook Costco frozen ramen using three different methods. The microwave method takes just 4 minutes and requires zero cleanup.

Stovetop gives you better noodle texture control. Instant Pot works great for hands-off cooking.

The Ajinomoto Tokyo Style Shoyu Ramen delivers authentic Japanese noodle soup flavor at home. Add a soft boiled egg, green onion garnish, or sesame oil drizzle to customize your bowl.

Just watch the sodium content if you eat it regularly. At under $2.50 per serving, it beats most instant ramen alternatives for quality and convenience.