Contents
Introduction
Ramen is a Japanese dish. It consists of wheat-based noodles in soup, with various toppings. It first appeared in Japan in the early 1900s. Since then, it has become popular all over the country. Now, there is a huge range of ramen recipes. Each one has unique flavors and ingredients.
This article will tell you about some of the best recipes. Read on to find out more!
History of Ramen
Ramen has a story that spans the globe. It was created in Japan during the 19th century and quickly spread. It’s now a comfort food. It usually has two components: noodles and soup. Pork bone broth and seasonings create its signature flavor. Tsukemen (dipping noodles) is a variation popular for its flavor.
There’s an abundance of recipes from different countries, with special touches and flavors. Everyone can find something to enjoy with this staple meal!
Types of Ramen
Ramen is an internationally popular Japanese dish. It has wheat-based noodles in a broth, with meat, eggs, and veggies. There are four main types: shoyu, miso, shio, and tonkotsu.
- Shoyu Ramen has a soy sauce broth with pork belly or char siu, fishcake, bamboo shoots, scallions, kikurage mushrooms and nori seaweed.
- Miso Ramen has a miso-infused broth with chicken or strips, boiled eggs, bean sprouts, butter, corn, and moyashi.
- Shio Ramen is a salt-flavored chicken or veggie broth with pork or fish cake and other garnishes.
- Tonkotsu Ramen has a pork bone broth with chashu, cabbage leaves, fish cake, mustard greens, poached eggs, and more.
Traditional Ramen Recipes
Tantalizing your taste buds? Let’s do it! Traditional Ramen recipes are the best, and we’ll show you how to make them in the comfort of home. Miso and tonkotsu? We’ve got it all! Get ready to experience the ultimate dinner. Let’s begin!
Shoyu Ramen
Shoyu Ramen is a favorite! It’s a tasty, light and clear soup with a soy sauce flavor. To make it, you’ll need a mix of chicken or pork bone broth and softened kombu (kelp). The secret ingredient is a shoyu tare seasoning sauce with soy sauce. Noodles are usually thin and straight, but you can switch them up to your liking.
Popular toppings?
- Chashu (braised pork belly),
- menma (sweet soy sauce bamboo shoots),
- scallions,
- nori (dried seaweed),
- a boiled egg,
- moyashi (bean sprouts) and
- narutomaki (fish cake).
Enjoy an authentic Shoyu Ramen or put your own spin on it!
Tonkotsu Ramen
Tonkotsu ramen is a Japanese noodle soup based on pork bone broth. Its broth is made by boiling pork bones and fat for a long time; till it turns white and acquires the tonkotsu flavor. “Ton” means “pig“, “ko” means “bone” or “hollow” and “tsu” is from a combining form.
When served, it usually consists of toppings over noodles in thick broth. Toppings may include pork belly or shoulder top, Kazami, seaweed, kikurage mushrooms, onions and pickled ginger. There are various ways to make Tonkotsu Ramen with different flavors in different regions.
Some traditional Tonkotsu Ramen recipes are:
- Kyushu Soon Miso Ramen: Regional variation with miso and roasted sesame seeds.
- Hokkaido Shoyu Ramen: Balanced combination of shoyu base, chicken stock & sake.
- Tokyo Shio Ramen: Light salt based soup style with Seaweed & Edamame Beans.
- Hyogo Spicy Red Ramen: Chili pepper oil for a spicy taste!
Miso Ramen
Miso Ramen is a traditional Japanese dish, now popular globally. It’s a tasty soup made from a clear chicken or fish broth and flavoured with miso paste. Toppings such as onions, pork belly, kamaboko (fish cake), egg or vegetables give the soup added flavour and texture. Perfect for a simple yet satisfying meal!
The broth can be made with many stocks, like chicken, beef or seafood. You can use almost any type of bone-in meat, as well as vegetables like carrots, onions and garlic. The miso paste should be added during cooking to give its unique flavour.
For toppings, you can:
- Slice some green onions
- Lightly fry some pork belly
- Chop an onion
- Add shiitake mushrooms
- Top with soft boiled egg
All your ingredients together make a delicious bowl of Miso Ramen, full of flavour!
Creative Ramen Recipes
Ramen: so versatile! It can be made in many different ways. Every time you make it, you can create a unique and scrumptious bowl.
Here are some inspiring recipes and tips. Get cookin’!
Spicy Ramen
To liven up a classic noodle dish, why not try spicy ramen? Prep the spicy ingredients (e.g. chili paste, dried chilies, kimchi) and aromatics (garlic, ginger, onion, scallions) ahead of time. For the broth, use chicken or beef broth, replacing half with veggie stock for added flavor and nutrition. Miso paste and gochujang can be added for extra savoriness and heat. Finally, use soy sauce or tamari to give it that umami flavor.
Time to add noodles and toppings! Ramen noodles are traditional but you can save time with pre-seasoned packets from the supermarket. Veggies like bok choy or mushrooms, proteins like tofu or chicken, and garnishes like sesame seeds or nori strips are great options.
Get creative – explore new flavor combinations online! Ready, set, cook!
Curry Ramen
Curry ramen is a unique and delightful twist on the classic Japanese dish. Thin Japanese wheat noodles are cooked in a homemade broth of garlic, ginger, miso paste, sesame oil and curry powder. This results in a savory taste with a tinge of sweetness.
Green onions can be added for some crunchiness and acidity. Toasted seaweed can also provide extra flavor and texture. Protein and extra flavor can be added to the bowl before serving, with boiled eggs, cooked meat or seafood such as shrimp or scallops. Lastly, sesame oil adds a layer of aroma to complete the balance of flavors. Enjoy this incredibly satisfying dish!
Seafood Ramen
If you want a creative way to enjoy ramen, try seafood ramen! This Japanese-style noodle soup has rich and flavorful broth. It’s made with umami from shiitake mushrooms, kombu, bonito flakes and miso paste. There’s also seafood like shrimp, lobster, clams, squid or scallops inside.
This type of ramen is healthier than the one with fatty meats. Plus, it’s full of vitamins and minerals like iron and zinc. It’s a protein-packed meal with vegetables and complex flavors. Comforting and satisfying!
Traditional ramen takes hours to make, but seafood ramen is fast. Here’s how to make it:
- Heat the broth over medium-high heat until it simmers.
- Add marinated seafood or shellfish, like sesame oil, soy sauce or garlic soy sauce.
- Then add bok choy, snow peas or carrots.
- Finally, top with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.
- Enjoy!
Vegan Ramen Recipes
Vegans, rejoice! Delicious vegan-friendly ramen recipes are available for you. Something spicy? Mild? Or exotic? We’ve got it all. Let’s explore the best vegan ramen recipes. Yum!
Tofu Ramen
Tofu Ramen—a tasty vegan version of traditional ramen—can be made in just 15 minutes! Boil water for the ramen noodles according to package instructions. Drain, and set aside. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped veggies, garlic, and ginger. Stir frequently until veggies are tender. Splash with soy sauce or tamari. Mix in drained cooked noodles.
For the tofu topping, marinate 14 ounces of cubed extra firm tofu with tamari/soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic and ginger for at least 20 minutes in the fridge. Then, cook it on an oiled skillet over medium-high heat until lightly browned. Serve your vegan tofu ramen hot—tofu topping on top for extra plant-based protein and flavor. Enjoy!
Mushroom Ramen
Mushroom ramen is a classic for vegan ramen lovers. Fragrant, earthy mushrooms cook in stock and make a flavorful broth. Shiitake, oyster and hen-of-the-woods mushrooms all add a savory taste. For a twist, baby kale and edible flowers bring color. Nutty sesame sauce adds sweetness to balance out the flavors. No matter the combination, mushroom ramen is sure to please!
Veggie Ramen
The ramen world is full of unique recipes and styles. Veggie ramen equals the same flavor as seafood, pork, or poultry-based versions. Spicy sesame miso and fresh herbs & veggies make vegan ramen recipes attractive for diners hesitant about traditional Japanese dishes.
For a quick, easy veggie ramen bowl, try Unrolled Sushi Rice. Make the broth from soy sauce, mirin (sweet sake), seaweed seasoning, garlic, and white miso. Simmer it over low heat, reduce to a simmer, then add veggies like carrots, mushrooms, and bok choy.
Add a scoop of unrolled sushi rice (frozen section at grocery stores) to each bowl. Top with veggies. Ladle on flavorful broth, then top with sesame seeds & green onions for crunch. You’ve got a simple yet satisfying vegan bowl, full of flavor – even meat-eaters will love it! Add chili oil or sriracha sauce according to taste for an extra kick.
Conclusion
Journey complete! We’ve explored various ramen recipes and ingredients. Plus, we’ve figured out tips to make a bowl of perfect ramen. Thus, the ideal ramen recipes blend fresh ingredients and flavorful seasonings. Everybody can customize them to their liking.
Tips for Making the Perfect Ramen
Ramen-making is an art form! With practice and these tips, you’ll make perfect noodles.
- Choose the right noodles. Read instructions or follow a recipe to select the right type.
- Know which broth you’re using. It could be milky, creamy or beefy – each has unique flavor qualities.
- To make it even tastier, add spice blends like garlic and onion powder to the broth during cooking.
- Top it off with green onions, nori and other creative additions like mushrooms and eggs.
- Don’t overcook the noodles – test after 3 minutes for al dente chewiness. And then enjoy!
With these tips, your ramen will make friends jealous!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of ramen recipes are available?
A: There are a variety of ramen recipes available. From the classic shoyu ramen to spicy miso ramen, there’s something for everyone. For the more adventurous, you can even experiment with different ingredients to create your own unique ramen bowl.
Q: Is there any way to make ramen healthier?
A: Yes. You can replace some of the high-fat ingredients with healthy alternatives. For instance, you can choose low-sodium broth and add more vegetables to your ramen bowl. You can also choose to make your own tare, which is the salty, flavorful base of the broth.
Q: What are some of the best toppings for ramen?
A: Toppings like boiled eggs, nori, scallions, mung bean sprouts, and bamboo shoots are all popular choices for ramen toppings. You can also add other ingredients like mushrooms, meat, and fish for extra flavor and texture.
