The Ultimate Guide to Ramen

Introduction to Ramen

Ramen is a beloved Japanese noodle soup dish that consists of wheat noodles served in a flavorful broth, often topped with various ingredients like sliced pork, soft-boiled eggs, and green onions. Ramen has evolved into a globally recognized dish with many regional variations and modern twists.

How to Make Ramen at Home

If you want to try making Ramen at home, here’s a simple recipe to get you started. This recipe features a classic soy sauce-based broth, tender pork, and all the traditional toppings that make Ramen so delicious.

Ingredients

For the broth:
- 4 cups chicken stock (or pork stock)
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
- 1 tablespoon sake (optional)
- 1 tablespoon miso paste (optional, for richer flavor)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for sautéing)
For the noodles:
- 4 packs of fresh Ramen noodles (or dried if unavailable)
For the toppings:
- 4 slices of chashu (braised pork belly)
- 4 soft-boiled eggs (Ajitsuke Tamago)
- 1 sheet of nori (seaweed), cut into strips
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup menma (fermented bamboo shoots)
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)