Ramen

Ramen is a classic dish in Japanese cuisine that has gained popularity around the world. There are various styles and recipes for making Ramen, but I will provide you with a general version that you can customize according to your tastes. Here are the ingredients and the procedure for preparing a simple Ramen.

Ingredients

• Chicken or vegetable broth: 1 liter
• Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Mirin (or another sweet rice wine): 2 tablespoons
• Garlic clove: 1
• Fresh ginger: a 3 cm piece
• Ramen noodles: 150 g
• Chicken breast: 1 (optional, if you want to add protein)
• Vegetables of your choice: green onions, soybean sprouts, carrot, spinach, leek, etc.
• Eggs: 1-2 (hard-boiled or soft-boiled, according to preference)
• Nori seaweed: 1-2 sheets (optional)
• Sesame oil: a drizzle (optional)
• Sesame seeds: a pinch (optional)
• Chili flakes: to taste (optional)

Preparation

1. Prepare the base broth. Heat the chicken or vegetable broth in a large pot. Add soy sauce and mirin to flavor the broth.
2. Add garlic and ginger. Crush the garlic clove and slice the ginger thinly, then add to the broth. Let it simmer on medium-low heat for about 20 minutes.
3. In the meantime, cook the noodles according to the instructions on the package, then drain and set aside.
4. If you are using chicken breast, cook it in the broth or grill it separately, then slice thinly.
5. Cook the eggs to your preference (soft or hard-boiled), then peel them.
6. Finely chop the vegetables you have chosen and prepare them for the topping.
7. Strain the flavored broth to remove garlic and ginger.
8. Assemble the Ramen. Place the noodles at the bottom of a bowl and pour the hot broth over them. Add the sliced chicken, eggs, vegetables, and other toppings like nori seaweed, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and chili flakes.
9. Serve immediately.

If you want an Italian touch, you might use typical vegetables like fresh baby spinach or prepare a homemade broth with local ingredients.

I encourage you to explore the various possible additions, such as different types of meat or fish, and other typical Japanese condiments like miso, tōgarashi, or narutomaki.

Curiosities

The term “Ramen” means “hand-pulled,” which originally refers to the process of making the noodles. The popularity of this dish has been growing since the early 20th century, and over the years, it has become a symbol of Japanese cuisine, with countless regional variations and customizations.