I don’t remember us ever going on vacations. Trips were something other people took—families who had time, extra money, or a reason to go somewhere just for the sake of it. But once, when I was about seven, Dad and I took a trip together. Just the two of us.
I don’t even remember how it happened or why, but I remember how it felt—special.
It was a late spring day, warm but not hot, the kind of day where the sky stretches wide and bright, and the trees seem extra green. We spent most of it walking through nature, past trees swaying gently in the wind, past people enjoying their day. I loved walking with him. He held my hand when the path got crowded, and when my little legs got tired, he scooped me up onto his back like it was nothing.
At some point, we visited a tall tower, one that loomed high above the city below. From the top, the world felt endless, a sea of buildings, tiny cars weaving through narrow streets, the whole of Seoul stretching far beyond what my young mind could comprehend. I had never seen the city from that high up before. I don’t know if I was more mesmerized by the view or just by the fact that I was there – with him.
Dad was smart and handsome, the kind of man who made do with what he had rather than reaching for the next best thing. He wasn’t the type to splurge or chase luxuries, which is why what happened next was so unbelievable.
That night, after all the walking, after all the exploring, he turned to me and said something I’ll never forget:
“We can eat anything you want.”
Anything.
That had never happened before. There was no discussion about what was on hand, no gentle reminder to be practical. Anything.
And all I could think about was ramen.
Not the kind the street vendors sold, steaming bowls filled with fancy toppings, seafood, and thick cuts of meat. Not the kind Dad tried to talk me into, gently nudging me toward something better.
No, all I wanted was the plain, simple ramen I had always craved but never really got.
So that’s what we ate. A hot bowl of noodles, salty broth, and nothing fancy—just exactly what I wanted.
It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
I don’t remember what we talked about. I don’t remember if we laughed, if we sat in silence, or if I slurped my noodles too fast and burned my tongue. I just remember feeling full—not just in my stomach, but in my heart.
Dad wasn’t just my father—he was my kindred spirit. With him, I was never just a kid. I was his equal.
Years later, in a new country, a new home, and a new life, ramen once again became a comfort food.
Back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, there weren’t endless options like there are now. At Jewel, our local grocery store, Top Ramen was pretty much it. But one day, Mom found kimchi at Jewel! That was a game-changer. It was a little piece of home, tucked away in the refrigerated section of an American grocery store, waiting for us.
All three of us girls, plus Michael, absolutely loved this quick and easy treat. We’d plunk the ramen into a plastic measuring cup, pour in water, add kimchi, and microwave it for five minutes. Sometimes we’d get fancy and add an egg—that made it next level. Meanwhile, John stuck with his usual peanut butter and grape jelly – his comfort food.
It wasn’t just about the taste—it was about the feeling. A warm bowl of ramen didn’t just fill our stomachs; it filled our hearts. In a brand-new country, in a life that had completely changed, this small ritual gave us something familiar. Something that was ours. Four of us had been adopted from South Korea to the United States, and this bowl of ramen and kimchi, in all its simplicity, was a reminder of where we came from.
It’s funny how food holds memories. How something as simple as a bowl of ramen can bring back the warmth of a spring evening, the weight of a small hand tucked into a larger one, the feeling of being carried when you’re too tired to walk.
Now, all these years later, I still love ramen. But like so many childhood favorites, I’ve evolved.
We still eat ramen, but we know now that the 99-cent version comes with things we’d rather avoid. And with one of my kids allergic to gluten and the other gluten-sensitive, traditional ramen is off the table.
That’s why I created my own gluten-free ramen recipe—one that keeps the comfort and nostalgia of my childhood but without the junk. And best of all, I get to share it with my kids, just like Dad shared that meal with me.
Julie’s Gluten-Free Ramen Recipe 🍜
Ingredients
Broth & Noodles:
- 2 cups chicken stock (or chicken bone broth)
- 1 tbsp ramen seasoning (see below)
- 1 pack gluten-free noodles (Vietnamese Rice Stick – Three Ladies Brand is my favorite!)
- 1/4 cup sliced rice cakes
- 2 bunches bok choy
- 1/4 of an onion, sliced
- 1 clove of crushed garlic
Toppings:
- 1 hard-boiled egg (see below)
- 1 tsp sesame ginger sauce (see below)
- 1 tsp chili garlic oil
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions:
- In a pot, add the chicken stock, ramen seasoning, garlic, and onions, and bring to a boil.
- Add the noodles, rice cakes, and bok choy and cook until they reach your desired softness.
- Top with chopped green onions and your choice of toppings.
- Enjoy!
Ramen Seasoning Blend:
- 2 tbsp paprika (or gochugaru – Korean red pepper flakes for an authentic kick!)
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast
(Make extra and store it for future bowls!)
Sesame Ginger Sauce:
- 1/4 cup sesame oil
- 1 stalk green onion, chopped
- 1 tsp grated ginger
Perfect Hard-Boiled Egg:
- Place eggs in cold water and bring to a boil.
- Turn off heat and let them sit covered for 6-7 minutes.
- Transfer to ice water for easy peeling.
Tips & Variations:
💡 Want more spice? Add jalapeños for an extra kick!
💡 More greens? Toss in spinach or any leafy greens you have in your fridge.
💡 Looking for extra umami? A splash of tamari or coconut aminos takes it to the next level.
And of course…
With every bowl of ramen, we always drink DIGEST after—because nothing should come between you and enjoying your favorite comfort foods.😉
Because food isn’t just food. It’s memories. It’s connection. It’s a way back home.
What’s a food from your childhood that still brings back memories?
We’d love to hear your story! Send your recipe and the story behind it to info@tinylotustea.com. Let’s celebrate food and the memories that come with it!
#ForTheLoveOfFood #TinyLotusTea #DIGEST #RamenAndKimchi #FoodIsLove
With love and gratitude,
Anne and Julie
