Japanese Ramen

One of the most popular foods in Japan would be the Japanese Ramen. Japanese Ramen is a type of Japanese soup. It is made from a Chinese style of wheat noodles. The soup is generally a fish base or beef broth, and then is served with a variety of toppings such as sliced pork, beef, green onions or any number of others.

The noodles are made with wheat flour, water, salt and kensui. Kensui is an alkaline based water that contains sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate. Originally from China, Ramen has become a very popular dish since being adopted by the Japanese. 

Noodles are naturally high in carbohydrates and calories, one needs to watch how many calories you are consuming to avoid the weight gain that is associated with any noodle dish.

Popularity

People can find Ramen noodles at virtually any supermarket or grocery store. They are made now to be a quick meal that is very economical. However, just because it is very economical, does not mean it has no flavor. Ramens come in many flavors. Beef, chicken, shrimp and pork to name a few. For many college students, this is the meal of choice because they have such a tight budget. The Ramens is sold in single packs, or multiple packs and cases.

Japan has only had Ramen for about 100 years. It has since become a staple in most homes, restaurants and even as a street food commodity. Street Stalls, or food booths sell a lot of ramen since it is such a quick meal to make. Families make it because they can make a complete meal out of it by combining virtually anything with the noodles. 

 

Specialty

Each cook has their own special touch or ingredient that they add to the ramen noodles to make them some of the best Japanese noodles in the country. It is not just a soup in Japan, it is a whole new experience. Restaurants are not decked out in fancy decor in Japan. The Japanese understand that the food should be the experience, not the place it is served. Since Japan is known for creative cooking, that fits perfectly in the scheme of life. 

Ramen could be considered a minimalistic meal of sorts. Japanese are known for being minimalist, and it is no different when it comes to food. However, Ramen Soup is far from minimalistic in Japan. It is the base of life.

 

Worldwide

Ramen has become a staple around the world. There are many franchise noodle restaurants that the sole focus is on ramen noodles. Ramen is a simple dish that is extremely savory and delicious. Soup is generally considered to be a winter dish. One that warms a person from the inside out. Did you know that Noodle soup is a great way to hydrate? Noodle soup also helps to regulate body temperature.

There is no right or wrong way to eat Ramen noodles. You could actually say that anyway is the right way to eat. That may involve slurping, spilling and a lot of sucking it off the chopsticks. Spoons can also be used obviously. There are even those who just lift the bowl and drink from the bowl. So do not fear that you are being a messy eater, there is bound to be some spatter as you are slurping those delicious Ramen noodles.

 

Variety

Ramen soup can be simple or it can be extravagant. Either way, it is the food that matters. Some will say it is too complicated to make homemade Ramen Noodle Soup, but I have a recipe that will show you differently. Today’s Ramen noodles are a perfect combination of Chinese invention and Japanese creativity. There is likely not a single place that does not have ramen noodles available. Even though the Chinese created them first, the Japanese have essentially made Ramen all their own. 

 

Simple and Homemade Chicken Ramen

With this recipe, I have managed to create a Chicken Ramen very reminiscent of those made in authentic Japanese restaurants. It normally takes years to master a great Ramen noodle soup, so I am elated that this worked so well. This has a bevy of fresh vegetables, a flavorful broth, a soft boiled egg and some roasted chicken. You can get this onto your table in less than an hour. Of course, if you stop by the supermarket and buy some roasted chicken, your meal will be ready in even less time.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless chicken breasts, with skin
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp butter, unsalted
• 1 tbsp garlic, freshly minced
• 2 tsp ginger, fresh
• 2 tbsp mirin
• 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 4 cups hearty chicken stock
• 1 ounce shiitake mushroom, dried
• 2 packs, dried ramen noodles
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 soft boiled eggs
• ½ cup chopped scallions
• Jalapeno slices or chili pepper slices, optional

 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375* 
2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and brown the chicken breast on both sides. Season with Salt and Pepper
3. Place the skillet into the oven and then roast the chicken for 15 to 20 minutes
4. Remove from the oven and set to the side, cover with aluminum foil until ready to serve
5. In a large dutch oven, add the sesame oil and add in the ginger and the garlic. Cook until just softened. 
6. Add in the mirin and stir
7. Add the soy sauce and stir to combine, cook for another minute
8. Add in the chicken stock and cover the pan, bring to a boil
9. Remove the lid, lower the heat and let simmer for 5 minutes.
10. Add the dried mushrooms and season with salt, if desired
11. Boil two eggs in lightly salted water for 7 minutes.
12. Fill a large bowl with water and ice, when the eggs are done place the two eggs into the ice water. Wait five minutes and peel the shell off. Slice the eggs lengthwise and set to the side
13. Place the ramen noodles into the water the eggs boiled in and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Divide between two bowls
14. Slice the jalapeno or chili pepper if desired and place in the bowl.
15. Slice the chicken into thin strips and place in the bowl
16. Place the ramen noodles into the water the eggs boiled in and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Divide between two bowls
17. Top with the fresh scallions and the sliced eggs.

 

For a more authentic taste, I have also included another recipe. 

 

Miso Ramen Noodle Soup, For Beginners

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ tsp minced garlic
• ½ tsp ginger, grated
• 1 shallot
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
• 1 tbsp roasted sesame oil
• ¼ pound ground pork
• 1 tsp spicy chile bean paste
• 3 tbsp miso
• 1 tbsp sake
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 4 cups of chicken stock or broth
• ¼ tsp white pepper
• 2 servings of fresh ramen noodles
• 2 soft boiled eggs, cut lengthwise

Toppings:

• Bean sprouts
• Canned Corn
• Shiraga negi
• Nori, cut into quarters

 

Directions:

1. Gather all your ingredients, so you know you have all that you need
2. Mince the garlic and the ginger
3. Mince the shallot
4. Grind the sesame seeds, leaving some large for texture
5. Heat the sesame oil in a large pot
6. Add in the garlic, ginger and the shallots
7. Cook and stir until slightly soft and fragrant
8. Add the ground meat and stir while cooking. Cook until the meat is no longer pink
9. Add in the bean paste and the miso
10. Blend very well with the meat so nothing burns
11. Add in the sugar and the ground sesame seeds, mixing well
12. Add in the sake and then the chicken stock
13. Bring soup to a simmer, taste and add salt if needed
14. Cover with a lid and continue simmering while you prepare the noodles
15. Bring a large pot of unsalted water to a boil
16. Add in the Ramen noodles
17. Use some boiling water to warm up the bowls before adding the noodles, be sure to drain
18. Prepare the toppings:
    1. Bean sprouts
    2. Soft boiled egg, sliced lengthwise
    3. Corn
    4. Chopped green onion
    5. Nori, seaweed
    6. White pepper powder
    7. Red pickled ginger
    8. Chili oil
19. Cook the noodles until al dente
20. When noodles are done cooking, spoon up with a mesh colander/sieve
21. Let drain before adding to the bowl
22. Divide the noodles between the bowls
23. Spoon the soup on top of noodles
24. Top with selected toppings and serve.

 

You can generally order Ramen by their Soup Base. There are many different varieties. Some of these include:

• Shoyu, which is Soy Sauce
• Shio, means Salt
• Miso, is Soybean Paste
• Tonkotsu, which means pork bone. Yes, bone. The bone is boiled down until it turns to a milky whitish paste.

The toppings vary widely also. Some of these include:

• Chashu, braised pork
• Menma, preserved bamboo shoots with a salty flavor
• Negi, shredded leeks
• Moyashi, is raw or cooked bean sprouts, with a crunch to them
• Tomago is a soft boiled egg. These are either set yolks or slightly runny yolks
• Seaweed
• Kamaboko are slices of steamed fish cakes
• Corn is usually from the can and served on miso or shio ramen
• Butter, a thick slab of butter is placed on the top of the soup and as it melts adds a creaminess to the soup.

Ramen is a meal in itself, but there are a couple of sides that are quite commonly served with Ramen. This would be pan fried dumplings, and there is often fried rice. There are some restaurants that offer a complete set up of the Ramen, gyoza and fried rice with drinks. 

Japanese Ramen are so popular that there are vending machines where citizens can purchase a dish of Ramen to go. This is wonderful for those that do not have time to go to a restaurant and wait for a table, then order and then wait longer. It is obvious that Japanese cooking can be very quick, however, at times the vending machines are even quicker when you are in a hurry.

There are some varieties of Okonomiyaki that use cooked ramens in the cake that makes the meal. 

Ramen does not have to be just for Japanese soup. There are many ways that Ramen can be included or used in other meals. Japanese noodles can be paired up with many other foods. Such as bacon and eggs, makes for a very tasty and filling meal. You could make up some beef and broccoli and pair it up with a bowl of Japanese noodles. Combine the Chinese with the Japanese. If you have some leftover ham, pair it up with kimchi and Ramen noodles. Try something completely different. Make up two orders of noodles and form them into a circle shape. Place them in a skillet with some sesame oil and fry them slightly on both sides. Grill a burger and place it between the two noodle buns. The options and possibilities are truly endless. Virtually anything will taste even better when paired up with some Japanese noodles. Of course, eating them plain is just as good. Personally, I like mine drained, add a tsp of butter and then the dry soup mix. Something as simple as noodles, has a way of placing a smile on anyone’s face. 

 

Every region in Japan has their own specialty when it comes to Ramen. Ramen are so important in Japan that there are even places and attractions related to Ramen. Museums are quite an interesting visit for tourists in Japan. There is even one museum dedicated to instant ramen noodles. In the United States I would guess that the majority of those who eat ramen, buy the instant version. I can not venture a guess whether that is because it is possibly too difficult to make, or is it because people have not attempted to make it. Other than that, I would assume that the majority of Japanese cuisine is eaten at Hibachi or Teppanyaki Restaurants.