Ramen can vary wildly, from restaurant-quality bowls to a simple packet of noodles and seasoning cooked in hot water, AKA instant noodles. Instant ramen is about as cheap, quick, and saltily satisfying as food can be, but it's even better when kicked up with your own condiments and toppings, including this creamy ingredient.

For ramen with a richer, creamier consistency and a flavor similar to Asian peanut noodles, add a spoonful of peanut butter. Peanut butter and peanut-based sauces have long been a staple in Thai, Malay, and Indonesian cuisine, and you can take your ramen even further in this direction by adding green onions, chili paste, and lime juice.

All you have to do is add a spoonful of peanut butter to your hot, just-cooked ramen and mix it until it dissolves into the broth. If you're willing to put in more effort, try making a true Southeast Asian-style peanut sauce from roasted or fried ground peanuts and use it on satays and fried tofu in addition to your ramen.