The best thing about that is that you save the flavor packet. Then, next time you make popcorn, you put some butter on the popcorn and then use the flavor packet as seasoning. Start with half; it's powerful ju-ju.
But it makes the most amazing popcorn. We now scavenge ramen packages for the seasoning packets, and eat the noodles dry only secondarily; we're really after the seasonings.
Big upvote for sharing the single quirkiest food tip I've read all... year, really. There's unique, and then there's "I buy ramen and eat it dry to season my popcorn." Cooks all over can only envy your genius.
You do know you can buy the chicken powder separately, right? Like, you can get oxo cubes in the soup aisle. The filipina made ones from the asian store are better though.
Unfortunately, the ones around here aren't all that great. Going by a ramen packet right now, it looks like this "Maruchan" version probably has more spices and dehydrated veggies than the straight chicken powder. Also, methinks the OXO cubes would be pretty hard to sprinkle over popcorn(!)
That said, there's all kinds of great popcorn toppings (store bought and homemade), so I don't suspect it's a big problem.
Wyler's makes powdered boullion seasonings! They're fantastic. The problem is that Wyler's, and many other boullions, often inexplicably contain dairy and/or egg, for both of which we have an allergy in the household.
The Maruchen Ramen Soy flavor (which used to be "Asian") is actually vegetarian (IIRC - I'd double-check that), but most importantly for us is dairy and egg-free.
It's a quick and easy crunchy snack that's pretty tasty. Break up the noodles into small pieces/clusters, dump in all or part of the flavor packet, and shake it up really well, then snack away!
Back in college, I had a salad I had gotten and wanted something crunchy on top. All I had was ramen noodles. I smashed the pack up a bit and sprinkled on top. After that, I would munch on a pack when I wanted a snack cause I broke, hungry, and lazy.
Used to tour in bands and would pour the flavor packet in and shake it up for salty road carbs. And then I quit drinking and started eating nuts instead.
Not quite dry, but we combine the dry ones with some coleslaw mix, the flavor packet, some sugar, and some apple cider vinegar. Turns out crunchy and delicious.
Chop nappa cabbage
Couple of packs or ramen broken up.
Ramen seasoning powder.
Chopped or slivver almond
Sesame seeds.
Green onion / scallion
rice vinegar to taste
I used to buy one specific ramen noodle brand which had the best noodles ever. They were made from already spiced dough and were extra crunchy. Those were called "Mi Kim Chi" and I haven't seen them for a long time (EU).
There's a brand called Ko-Lee Go Noodles which market themselves as three styles in one. I think you can do soup, stir fry, or just season them and eat them dry like crisps.
Was supremely broke. Lived off the damned things long enough that I completely lost taste sensitivity from the salt content in the packets. Finally one day just said screw it, I can't taste em anyways and I want some crunch.