By Devon O’Brien and Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

For your next gathering of friends and family, why not host a ramen-inspired potluck dinner that is sure to have your guests clamoring for more? This build-your-own ramen concept is endlessly versatile, especially if you have guests who eat plant-based. The concept is simple: plan to provide a few of the elements, then have your guests bring the rest. Find tasty recipes below, and get a few helpful tips to make planning easy (and if you’re looking for other menu ideas, try this concept with our stuffed potato menu or niçoise salad menu). 

A table full of plated ramen ingredients   Credit: Eric Wolfinger

Tips for Planning

Tip #1: Decide which elements of the menu you will provide.

Tip #2: Make a list of all the components you’d like other people to bring. Include any relevant recipe links.

Tip #3: Send out a sign-up sheet via Google Sheets or signupgenius.com so guests can choose which elements they’ll contribute.

Tip #4: When everyone arrives, assemble all the contributions into a buffet and let each guest build their own meal.

The Menu

In addition to these recipes, try other add-ons like dried ramen noodles, roasted cauliflower or broccolini, seasoned baked tofu, kimchi, fried shallots and soft-boiled eggs to take your bowl of ramen to the next level.

     Vegan Ramen Broth     Credit: Eric Wolfinger      Vegan Ramen Broth  View Recipe               Spicy Shoyu-Miso Tare     Credit: Eric Wolfinger      Spicy Shoyu-Miso Tare  View Recipe            Scallion-Ginger Sauce     Credit: Eric Wolfinger      Scallion-Ginger Sauce  View Recipe            Five-Spice Duck Breasts     Credit: Eric Wolfinger      Five-Spice Duck Breasts  View Recipe

A table full of plated ramen ingredients Credit: Eric Wolfinger

A table full of plated ramen ingredients

Credit: Eric Wolfinger

    Vegan Ramen Broth     Credit: Eric Wolfinger      Vegan Ramen Broth  View Recipe   

    Spicy Shoyu-Miso Tare     Credit: Eric Wolfinger      Spicy Shoyu-Miso Tare  View Recipe   

    Scallion-Ginger Sauce     Credit: Eric Wolfinger      Scallion-Ginger Sauce  View Recipe   

    Five-Spice Duck Breasts     Credit: Eric Wolfinger      Five-Spice Duck Breasts  View Recipe   

  Vegan Ramen Broth     Credit: Eric Wolfinger      Vegan Ramen Broth  View Recipe  

 Vegan Ramen Broth     Credit: Eric Wolfinger

Vegan Ramen Broth

Vegan Ramen Broth     Credit: Eric Wolfinger

Vegan Ramen Broth

Credit: Eric Wolfinger

Vegan Ramen Broth

Vegan Ramen Broth

  Spicy Shoyu-Miso Tare     Credit: Eric Wolfinger      Spicy Shoyu-Miso Tare  View Recipe  

 Spicy Shoyu-Miso Tare     Credit: Eric Wolfinger

Spicy Shoyu-Miso Tare

Spicy Shoyu-Miso Tare     Credit: Eric Wolfinger

Spicy Shoyu-Miso Tare

Spicy Shoyu-Miso Tare

Spicy Shoyu-Miso Tare

  Scallion-Ginger Sauce     Credit: Eric Wolfinger      Scallion-Ginger Sauce  View Recipe  

 Scallion-Ginger Sauce     Credit: Eric Wolfinger

Scallion-Ginger Sauce

Scallion-Ginger Sauce     Credit: Eric Wolfinger

Scallion-Ginger Sauce

Scallion-Ginger Sauce

Scallion-Ginger Sauce

  Five-Spice Duck Breasts     Credit: Eric Wolfinger      Five-Spice Duck Breasts  View Recipe  

 Five-Spice Duck Breasts     Credit: Eric Wolfinger

Five-Spice Duck Breasts

Five-Spice Duck Breasts     Credit: Eric Wolfinger

Five-Spice Duck Breasts

Five-Spice Duck Breasts

Five-Spice Duck Breasts

By Devon O’Brien and Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD