What's special about ramen? &
Why is ramen so delicious?
Ramen: A Japanese Noodle Soup That's Conquered
the World
Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup dish that has taken the world by storm.
It's simple, comforting, and endlessly customizable, making it a perfect meal for any occasion.
What is ramen?
Ramen is a noodle soup made with a flavorful broth, noodles, and toppings.
The broth is typically made from meat or fish bones, vegetables, and aromatics.
The noodles are usually wheat-based, but can also be made from other flours.
And the toppings can vary widely, from simple sliced pork and scallions to more
elaborate creations like marinated eggs and bamboo shoots.
How to make ramen at home?
Making ramen at home is easier than you might think. You can find ramen kits
at most grocery stores, or you can make your own broth from scratch. Once you
have your broth and noodles, you can get creative with the toppings.
Here are a few tips for making ramen at home:
- Use a good quality broth. The broth is the foundation of the dish, so it's important to use a good quality one. You can make your own broth from scratch, or you can use a store-bought broth.
- Don't overcook the noodles. Ramen noodles should be cooked al dente, which means they should be firm to the bite.
- Get creative with the toppings. There are endless possibilities when it comes to ramen toppings. Some popular toppings include sliced pork, marinated eggs, bamboo shoots, scallions, and nori.
Ingredients:
- For the broth:
- 1 pound pork bones
- 1/2 cup kombu (kelp)
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 inch ginger, chopped
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon mirin
- For the noodles:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon kansui (lye water)
- 1/4 cup water
- For the toppings:
- 1/2 pound pork belly, sliced
- 2 eggs, marinated
- Bamboo shoots
- Scallions
- Nori
Instructions:
- Make the broth: In a large pot, combine the pork bones, kombu, water, onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and mirin. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
- Strain the broth and discard the solids.
- Make the noodles: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and kansui. Add the water and knead until a dough forms. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is thin. Cut the dough into thin noodles.
- Cook the noodles in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, or until they are al dente.
- To assemble the ramen, divide the broth between two bowls. Add the noodles, pork, eggs, bamboo shoots, scallions, and nori. Serve immediately.
Ramen variations
There are endless variations of ramen. You can try different types of broth, noodles, and toppings to find your perfect bowl. Some popular variations include:
- Shoyu ramen: This is a light soy sauce-based ramen.
- Miso ramen: This is a miso paste-based ramen.
- Shio ramen: This is a salt-based ramen.
- Spicy ramen: This ramen is made with a spicy broth.
- Vegetarian ramen: This ramen is made with a vegetable broth and vegetarian toppings.
No matter how you like it, ramen is a delicious and satisfying meal that is sure to please everyone at the table.
I hope this blog article has inspired you to try making ramen at home. With a little practice, you'll be a ramen pro in no time!
Additional tips:
- If you don't have time to make your own broth, you can use a store-bought broth. Just be sure to choose a good-quality broth that is low in sodium.
- You can also find ramen kits at most grocery stores. These kits come with all of the ingredients you need to make ramen, including the broth, noodles, and toppings.
- Get creative with the toppings! There are endless possibilities when it comes to ramen toppings. Some popular toppings include sliced pork