Tricks to Enjoy Ramen Like a Pro!

There’s no denying that ramen is one of the most popular comfort foods in Japan. It’s even more popular among ex-pats, who often miss it when they go home. Ramen has so many varieties and regional variations that some have developed their specialties. However, while chicken Ramen and pork ramen are readily available from your local Japanese restaurant, authentic Japanese ramen isn’t always easy to find. This is especially true if you want to enjoy it the right way – like a pro. You see, authentic ramen requires hand-pulled noodles, rich tonkatsu broth, carefully selected toppings, and an experienced chef to prepare it. Let’s take a look at some tricks to give your next bowl of ramen that extra special something.

Pick the Right Noodle

- There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing your noodles for ramen. First, Japanese wheat noodles—especially those that are hand-pulled—tend to be thicker. Therefore, you will need a smaller pot for two people than you would for a single serving of ramen with Italian noodles. Second, think about the broth you are going to use. If the noodles are going to be served in a rich broth, the noodles need to be the right thickness to enjoy the broth properly.

Use the Right Broth

- Use a soy sauce with an alcohol percentage of at least 60%. Soy sauce made from wheat has an alcohol content of only 35%. The soy sauce you use will completely change the flavor of your broth so be sure to use a high-quality product. When making the broth, you want to add pork bones and meat to create a rich, porky broth. You can use any type of veggie to flavor the broth, but shiitake mushrooms are traditional. You can also add seaweed, tofu, omelet strips, dried seaweed, or any other type of veggie you like for added flavor.

Know the Ramen Trifecta

- There are three main components to a great bowl of ramen: broth, noodles, and toppings. There are a few more components that you should keep in mind, as well. The first one is the ratio of the three main components. The broth should be 80% of the dish, the noodles 15%, and the toppings 5%. The second component is the type of noodle. Japanese wheat noodles—specifically ramen noodles—should be used for ramen. Noodle quality is very important, however, as ramen noodles come in various shapes and sizes. Quality will determine the texture of the noodles: too hard and you’ll have a soggy bowl of ramen, too soft and they’ll break apart during slurping. It’s also worth keeping in mind that ramen noodles are slightly thicker than spaghetti noodles. Finally, the toppings are where you can make your ramen stand out. Try to choose toppings that complement the broth and noodles, rather than overpowering the dish. Ramen toppings can include anything from cooked pork to fish cakes, fried eggs, corn, seaweed, sesame seeds, and even green onion. It’s also important to keep in mind portion size: too many toppings can make your ramen messy, but too few and it can be bland.

Add the Toppings

- There are a few toppings that are traditional to ramen, but there are many more that you can try. You can add ramen toppings at any time during the process. If you prefer your noodles to be a bit soggy, you can add your toppings later. However, if you’d like them to be a bit firmer, add them when the noodles are still hot. The most traditional toppings for ramen include: - Pork belly - Pork is the most traditional topping for ramen, but you can also try adding thinly sliced pork belly. - Fried egg - Fried eggs can accompany ramen for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can also make western-style ramen by adding scrambled eggs. - Cooked chicken - There are a few types of ramen that include cooked chicken. You can add chicken, pork, or seafood for variety. - Kimchi - This spicy Korean vegetable can be added to your ramen for added flavor and spice. - Seasoned seaweed - Ramen often comes topped with seasoned seaweed. This is a great way to add a unique flavor to your bowl. - Mozzarella or cheddar cheese - You can add either of these types of cheese to your ramen to give it a nice, creamy texture. - Corn - You can add corn kernels to your ramen for a sweet, savory flavour. - Sesame seeds - Sesame seeds can be used to add a savory flavour to your ramen. - Nori - This type of seaweed is often used for making sushi, but you can use it for making nori ramen. - Sweet potato - Sweet potatoes are a great carbohydrate that can be enjoyed with your ramen. - Spicy crab - This type of crab is often served chilled. Try adding it to your ramen to add a spicy kick to the dish. - Miso pastes - Miso paste is a powerful flavor that can be used in many different ways, including in ramen. Try using miso paste to add a savory flavour to your noodles. - Tofu - You can add soft tofu to your ramen for a bland taste, or use hard-boiled tofu for a richer flavor. - Karaage chicken - This type of chicken is often served as a side. You can add it to your ramen for an added kick of flavor. - Grilled fish - Remember to keep in mind the type of fish that is used in making your broth. If the fish is grilled, you can add grilled fish to your ramen. If the fish is raw, you can add cooked fish, such as sashimi or fish fillets.

Final Touches

- There are a few other things that you can do to compliment your bowl of ramen. First, it’s common to add a splash of vinegar to your ramen at the end of the slurping process. Another good tip is to take a sip of your broth. This gives you a chance to enjoy it before the flavors dissipate. Lastly, it’s a good idea to keep a small bowl of water next to your ramen bowl so that you can keep your noodles from getting soggy. These final touches are good to keep in mind because they add a nice finishing touch to your bowl of ramen.

Don’t Forget a Bit of Salt

- It’s important to remember that ramen is a salty dish. Therefore, add a bit of salt to your bowl before you slurp. You can do this by dipping your chopsticks into the water, or you can add a tiny pinch of salt to the bottom of your bowl before you sit down to eat. It may seem like a simple thing, but adding some salt to your ramen before you slurp will help you enjoy this Japanese classic the right way. You can also season your ramen broth with a bit of salt before you add the noodles and toppings. This way, you can add a salty flavor to your noodles without having to add a lot of salt to your broth.

Enjoy!

-- Now that you’ve read these tips, you can enjoy authentic Japanese ramen like a pro.