Japanese ramen is a popular dish that can be made easily by following some simple steps. The secret to making perfect Japanese ramen lies in the flavorful broth. To prepare the broth, roast pork belly or chicken and simmer it with garlic, onion, ginger, and water for at least two hours. Strain the broth and add soy sauce, oyster sauce, miso paste, sake, and chili oil (optional) to it. Boil the broth and let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes. Cook the noodles and prepare the toppings, such as soft-boiled eggs, sliced pork belly or chicken, and green onions, before assembling them into bowls.

The Secret to Perfect Japanese Ramen

Introduction

Ramen is a popular Japanese noodle dish that has gained worldwide recognition in recent times. It’s a bowl of flavorful broth, noodles, and toppings that can satisfy anyone’s hunger and cravings. Although it may seem daunting to make, following some simple steps can help you create the perfect bowl of Japanese ramen. In this article, we will discuss the secret to making perfect Japanese ramen.

Ingredients

Before getting started with the recipe, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients. Here is a list of ingredients you will need for the perfect Japanese ramen:

• 8 cups of water
• 1 lb of pork belly or chicken
• 6 cloves of garlic
• 1 piece of ginger
• 1 onion
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 Tbsp miso paste
• 1 Tbsp sake
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp chili oil (optional)
• 2 packs of ramen noodles
• 4 eggs

Instructions

Now that we have all the ingredients let’s start making the perfect bowl of Japanese ramen. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Prepare the broth

The broth is the heart and soul of Japanese ramen. To prepare the broth, follow the steps below:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Take a baking tray and place the pork belly or chicken on it. Roast it in the oven for 20 minutes until it’s slightly browned.
2. In a large pot, add 8 cups of water, roasted pork belly or chicken, garlic, onion, and ginger. Bring it to a boil on high heat, then reduce the heat to low, and let it simmer for at least 2 hours.
3. After 2 hours, remove the pork belly or chicken from the broth and let it cool. Strain the broth using a fine-mesh strainer.
4. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, miso paste, sake, and chili oil (optional) to the pot. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the toppings

While the broth is simmering, let’s prepare the toppings:

1. In a saucepan, boil 4 eggs for 6-7 minutes to get a soft-boiled texture. Peel and cut them in half.
2. Cut the roasted pork belly or chicken into thin slices.
3. Chop some green onions for garnishing.

Step 3: Cook the noodles

Cooking the noodles is easy and quick:

1. In a pot, boil enough water to cook the noodles. Add the ramen noodles and cook them for 2-3 minutes until they are cooked through but still firm (al dente).
2. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.

Step 4: Assemble the ramen

Now that all the components are ready, it’s time to assemble the perfect bowl of Japanese ramen:

1. Divide the cooked noodles into four bowls.
2. Pour the broth over the noodles until they are covered.
3. Place the sliced pork belly or chicken, soft-boiled eggs, and chopped green onions on top of the noodles.
4. Drizzle some sesame oil over the top.

Conclusion

Making the perfect bowl of Japanese ramen is not difficult if you follow the right steps. The secret lies in the broth, which should be flavorful and rich in umami. Preparing the toppings and noodles is easy, and assembling them is the fun part. With this recipe, you can make the perfect Japanese ramen in the comfort of your own home.