Saturday, January 30, 2016

Miso-based Ramen Soup

Following up on my previous post, here is the "semi-spicy" miso-based Ramen soup. Actually I like this one better personally :)  Give it a try, too.



Ingredients (1 serving):
a) miso (Japanese miso is preferable, but Korean bean paste would also work fine!) --- 1 tbsp
b) grated ginger and garlic (or ginger garlic paste) --- 1/3 tbsp
c) Toban Djan (Chili Bean Sauce) --- 1/3 tbsp (you can get this at 1MG or Nature's Basket)
d) oyster sauce --- 1/2 tsp  (you can get this at 1MG or Nature's Basket)
e) soy sauce --- 1/2 tsp  (you can get this at 1MG or Nature's Basket)
f) chicken stock and/or Japanese dashi powder ---  about 1 tsp (or to taste) 
g) sesame oil --- a few drops (or to taste)
h) white pepper --- to taste
i) lard (if available) --- 1/2 tsp

Directions: 
1) Put a, b, c, d, e, g, h, and i (if available) into a Ramen bowl
2) In a pot, start boiling 2.5 cups of water. Once the water is hot, add f, stir, and let it boil on medium heat
3) Pour "hot boiling" 2) into a bowl of 1) little by little, mixing well and checking the saltiness.

That's it. Your soup is ready!

Depending on how long you need to boil the noodles, get the process started before your soup is finished. Once the noodles are boiled, drain and put into soup.

I typically top my miso-based Ramen with either a boiled or fried egg and sauteed mixed veggies (cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, green pepper, etc). Sprinkle chopped green onion and sesame seeds, and your Ramen is ready to eat!

I will post a dal soup version soon!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Tasty fresh "Ramen" is finally here in Banglore!!

There are some restaurants which have started to serve "Ramen" in Bangalore, such as Harima, Uno-In, and Fatty Bao.
But, you really don't need to go to a restaurant to taste authentic Ramen any more. Yes, you can make it at home :) 


Nishiki Noodles, a startup based in Bangalore that was established by a Japanese entrepreneur, has been making its own "fresh" Ramen noodles here in Bangalore. 

They also have Japanese Udon noodles, if you prefer Udon to Ramen.

If you are interested in purchasing stunning noodles, contact Nishiki Noodles via email (the site mentioned on the FB is not working currently).

Of course, you can make dal soup (make it a bit saltier than usual) and dip your noodles into it and eat it also, but here is a VERY SIMPLE(!!) Ramen broth recipe. This is a soy-sauce-based version.  

Ingredients (1 serving):
a) grated ginger and garlic (or ginger garlic paste) --- 1/2 tsp
b) soy sauce --- 2.5 tsp (you can get this at 1MG or Nature's Basket)
c) oyster sauce --- 1 tsp  (you can get this at 1MG or Nature's Basket)
d) Soba tsuyu (if available) --- 1 tsp (if you don't have this add 0.5 tbps more soy sauce) 
e) chicken stock and/or Japanese dashi powder ---  about 1 tsp (or to taste) 
f) sesame oil --- a few drops (or to taste)
g) white pepper --- to taste
h) lard (if available) --- 1/2 tsp
i) salt --- to taste

Directions: 
1) Put a, b, c, d (if available), f, and g into a Ramen bowl
2) mix well
3) In a pot, start boiling 2.5 cups of water. Once the water is hot, add e and h (if available), stir, and let it boil on medium heat
4) Pour "boiling" 3) into a bowl of 2) little by little, mixing well and checking the saltiness, and add i as needed. 

That's it. Your soup is ready!

Depending on how long you need to boil the noodles, get the process started before your soup is finished. Once the noodles are boiled, drain and put into soup.

You can top your Ramen with a boiled egg, or any veggies such as bean sprouts or chopped green onions. Tasty!

I will post a miso-based version soon!
If you can read Japanese, check out the miso-based recipe in Japanese :)