Japanese Ramen

Probably the most famous and beloved noodle soup in Japan is the ubiquitous ramen. Wonderfully satisfying and infinitely variable, a bowl of ramen is the perfect meal. Typical ingredients include fried pork, seaweed, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, hard boiled egg, chili oil and Japanese 7 spice seasoning. The broth is usually made simmered from chicken or pork bones and is seasoned with miso, shio (salty), shoyu (soya sauce) or tonkatsu (pork bones). Remember to slurp the next time you're in a Japanese restaurant eating ramen, to show appreciation for the delicious broth. Also, the next time you're looking for a Japanese movie to watch, try "Tampopo", a timeless comedy about a single woman who owns a noodle restaurant and her truckdriving admirer who accompanies her relentless quest to create the perfect bowl of ramen.

Family style Ramen
Raw Chinese noodles or ramen noodles
1 clove finely chopped garlic
1 tsp finely chopped fresh ginger
1 tsp sesame oil
2 cup chicken soup stock
1 cup kombu dashi soup stock
1 tbsp sake
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
3 tbsp soy sauce
*For toppings:
Chopped negi
nori (dried seaweed)
wakame seaweed (soak in water before using)
Japanese 7 spice seasoning
Sliced cooked pork or chicken
Corn
Bean sprouts (steamed)

Method
Heat sesame oil in a deep pan. Saute chopped ginger and garlic in the pan. Lower heat. Add chicken soup stock and dashi and bring to the boil. Add sugar, salt, sake, and soy sauce to the broth. Strain the soup. Serve hot soup in individual bowls. In the meantime, boil water in a large pan. Add Chinese noodles to the boiling water and cook for a few minutes. Drain the noodles and serve in the hot soup. Garnish with an assortment of toppings like sliced pork or chicken, corn, bean sprouts, chopped negi, and nori seaweed. Sprinkle with Japanese 7 spice seasoning.