Miso Ramen

For toppings, I add chashu, ramen egg, blanched bean sprouts (or Spicy Bean Sprout Salad), frozen or canned corn, Shiraga Negi (julienned long green onions), chopped green onion/scallion, and a quarter sheet of nori (dried laver seaweed). You can find the recipes in the hyperlinks. For the optional condiments, prepare a bottle of la-yu (Japanese chili oil), pickled red ginger (beni shoga or kizami beni shoga), and some white pepper powder on the table.

To Prepare the Ingredients

Gather all the ingredients.

Mince or press 2 cloves garlic (I use a garlic press) and add to a small plate. Then, grate the ginger (I use a ceramic grater) and add ½ tsp ginger (grated) to the plate.

Mince 1 shallot and add to the plate. Set the ingredients aside.

Grind 1 Tbsp toasted white sesame seeds, leaving some seeds unground for texture. Set aside.

To Make the Soup Broth

Preheat a medium pot over medium-low heat. When it‘s hot, add 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil. Then, add the garlic, ginger, and shallot.

With a wooden spatula, stir-fry until fragrant.

Add ¼ lb ground pork and increase the heat to medium. Cook the meat until it‘s no longer pink.

Add 1 tsp doubanjiang (spicy chili bean paste) and 3 Tbsp miso. Quickly blend well with the meat without them getting burnt.

Add the ground sesame seeds and 1 Tbsp sugar and mix well.

Add 1 Tbsp sake and 4 cups chicken stock/broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Taste your soup and add up to 1 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt (if necessary) and ¼ tsp white pepper powder. Tip: Each brand of chicken stock varies in saltiness, so you must taste your soup to decide how much salt to add.

Your soup broth is now done. Cover with the lid and keep the soup broth simmering while you cook the noodles.

To Prepare the Ramen Noodles

Bring a large pot of unsalted water to a boil (ramen noodles already include salt in the dough). When the water is boiling, ladle some of the hot water into the individual ramen bowls to warm them up. Meanwhile, gently shake 2 servings fresh ramen noodles with your hand to separate and loosen them.

Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. I cook the noodles al dente so they're still firm, about 15 seconds less than the suggested cooking time. Before your noodles are done cooking, empty the hot water from the warmed ramen bowls.

When the noodles are done, quickly pick them up with a mesh sieve and shake out the excess water. Make sure to drain it well, as you don’t want the boiling water to dilute your soup. Serve the noodles into the warmed bowls.

To Serve

Add the piping-hot ramen soup broth to each bowl.

Place the toppings of your choice on the ramen noodles and serve immediately. Add the optional condiments and enjoy.

To Store

You can keep the soup broth in the refrigerator for 3 days. Cook the noodles right before serving.