# Ramen-Covered Meatballs These Asian-Inspired Porcupine Meatballs are Easily Customizable By Alyson Wyers | Published 2014-12-16 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/porcupine-meatballs References: [thevulgarchef](http://thevulgarchef.com/2014/12/10/ramen-meatballs-or-something/) & [thegratefulspread.wordpress](http://thegratefulspread.wordpress.com/2010/03/02/porcupine-meatballs/) If you are obsessed with ramen and are looking for new ways to cook the inexpensive noodles, these porcupine meatballs are a fun way to go. The name can be misleading (the balls aren't made with porcupine meat) as they are made with ground pork. The outsides are covered in [ramen noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creamy-ramen-meals), which give them the illusion of prickliness. The porcupine meatballs could be dipped in a number of different sauces, from sweet chili sauce to spicy garlic soy and even sesame garlic. You could also substitute the [ground pork for honey teriyaki chicken](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teriyaki-balls) for a different kind of Asian flair. The recipe provides a starting point with lots of room for interpretation and inspiration. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.9/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 5% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Customizable Meatballs:** Meatball recipes that allow for personalized modifications and creativity. - **Ramen-infused Dishes:** Incorporating ramen noodles into dishes beyond traditional soup-based dishes. - **Asian-inspired Comfort Food:** Modern twists on classic Asian comfort food dishes with ingredients easily accessible in Western markets. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Food and Beverage:** Creating innovative recipes that pair well with popular Asian-inspired sauces to appeal to consumers seeking new and customizable flavor experiences. - **Retail:** Partnering with food manufacturers to create pre-made Asian-flair meatballs and snacks that are easy to customize for home cooks. - **Hospitality:** Introducing modern and unique Asian fusion dishes into restaurant menus to attract foodies searching for adventurous and inventive meals. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Asian-Inspired Sliders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asian-inspired-sliders.md) - [Healthy Instant Ramens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/healthy-instant-ramen.md) - [Meat-Focused Noodle Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nissin-1.md) - [Snackable Pork Meatballs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meateors.md) - [Spicy Boba Ramen Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boba-ramen.md) - [Mexican-Inspired Ramen Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pastor-ramen.md) - [Asian-Style Broth Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asian-broth-bowls.md) - [Asian-Inspired Protein Dumplings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sobo-foods.md) - [Plant-Powered Umami Noodles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/high-protein-instant-ramen.md)