Homemade Ramen

The moment that steaming bowl of homemade ramen hits the table, the fragrance of the broth wafts up, filling the air with its savory depth. The rich, umami-packed stock, carefully simmered for hours, creates the perfect base for the noodles to nestle into. As you slurp your first bite, the warm broth coats your tongue, and you can’t help but feel a little bit like you’ve just discovered a secret. It’s not just food; it’s a soul-warming experience that brings comfort like nothing else.

I always love to add a variety of toppings, each one bringing its own little burst of flavor and texture. The soft-boiled egg, with its perfectly jammy yolk, adds a touch of silkiness. The thin slices of tender pork or chicken, kissed by the broth, melt in your mouth, each bite offering the perfect balance to the richness of the soup. And don’t get me started on the crunch of fresh vegetables – bok choy, green onions, maybe a few slices of nori – all adding pops of color and freshness to the bowl.

Every time I make ramen, it’s a little different, depending on what I have on hand or what I’m craving. That’s the magic of it! You can get as creative as you like, from spicy miso ramen to a classic shoyu version. And as you sip the last drop of broth from your bowl, you can’t help but feel proud of the deliciousness you’ve crafted from scratch. There’s just something so satisfying about homemade ramen – it’s like a warm hug on a chilly evening, something that’s always worth the time and effort.

Key Ingredients in Homemade Ramen

To create a rich and flavorful bowl of ramen, it’s essential to start with the right ingredients. These simple yet powerful components come together to create the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and umami. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken Broth
  This forms the backbone of your ramen. A rich, savory chicken broth brings depth and warmth to the soup, providing the perfect base for all the other ingredients to shine.
• Water
  Diluting the broth with a bit of water helps create a more balanced flavor profile, ensuring that the broth isn’t too overwhelming while still allowing all the other flavors to blend harmoniously.
• Soy Sauce
  A touch of soy sauce adds saltiness and umami, deepening the flavor of the broth. It’s one of the essential ingredients for that crave-worthy ramen taste.
• Miso Paste
  Miso paste introduces a rich, fermented flavor that complements the savory broth. It’s perfect for adding a little extra complexity and depth to the soup.
• Sesame Oil
  Just a bit of sesame oil gives the ramen an aromatic, nutty richness. It’s the kind of ingredient that quietly enhances the other flavors without being too bold.
• Rice Vinegar
  A splash of rice vinegar brightens the dish and helps to balance out the richness of the broth. It adds a subtle tanginess that elevates the flavor profile.
• Sugar
  A little bit of sugar helps to round out the flavors, adding a touch of sweetness to counteract the salty elements and creating a harmonious balance.
• Garlic, Minced
  Garlic brings a sharp, aromatic punch that adds complexity to the broth. It’s one of those ingredients that makes everything taste more alive and vibrant.
• Ginger, Minced
  Fresh ginger adds a zesty, slightly spicy note that enhances the warmth of the broth. It pairs wonderfully with garlic, creating a fragrant and invigorating base.
• Ramen Noodles
  The heart of the dish, ramen noodles are chewy, satisfying, and absorb the flavors of the broth perfectly. They soak up the savory broth with each bite, making them an essential part of the experience.
• Large Eggs
  Soft-boiled eggs with jammy yolks are a classic ramen topping. They add a creamy texture that melts into the broth, enhancing the richness of the dish with every spoonful.
• Green Onions, Chopped
  Freshly chopped green onions give the ramen a pop of color and a mild, oniony crunch. They bring brightness to the dish, cutting through the richness of the broth.
• Cooked Chicken, Shredded
  Tender shredded chicken adds heartiness and protein to the dish. Its subtle flavor allows it to soak up the broth, creating a comforting, satisfying bite.
• Corn Kernels
  Sweet, tender corn kernels offer a burst of natural sweetness that contrasts nicely with the savory broth, adding texture and flavor balance to the dish.
• Bamboo Shoots, Sliced
  Thin slices of bamboo shoots bring a slightly earthy, crunchy texture to the ramen, creating a delightful contrast to the soft noodles and tender chicken.
• Nori, Torn
  Nori adds a salty, briny flavor and a touch of oceanic freshness. The torn edges give the ramen a rustic feel, while the flavor complements the other ingredients beautifully.
• Bean Sprouts
  Crisp bean sprouts introduce a fresh, crunchy bite that adds texture and lightness to the dish, balancing the richness of the broth and toppings.

Each of these ingredients brings its own unique contribution, coming together to create a bowl of ramen that’s rich in flavor, texture, and heart. With the right balance, every bite will feel like a comforting hug.

How to Make Homemade Ramen

Serving Suggestions for Homemade Ramen

• Spicy Kick
  If you’re craving a little heat, add a drizzle of chili oil or a spoonful of spicy sesame paste to your bowl. The fiery heat will balance out the savory broth and add an extra layer of excitement to every bite. Trust me, that little kick will take your ramen to a whole new level!
• Crispy Toppings
  For some added texture, try topping your ramen with a handful of crispy fried shallots or even some fried garlic chips. The crunch is irresistible, and it adds a whole new flavor dimension that pairs perfectly with the rich broth.
• Herbaceous Freshness
  Sprinkle fresh herbs like cilantro or basil over the top of your ramen just before serving. They’ll bring a burst of freshness that cuts through the richness and gives your bowl a bright, aromatic finish. It’s a small touch that makes a big impact!

How to Store Homemade Ramen

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers after a ramen feast (and I mean, who wouldn’t be?), storing it properly is key to keeping that comforting flavor intact. The first thing to note is that the noodles and broth should be stored separately. The noodles tend to absorb the broth as they sit, becoming a little mushy if left together for too long. So, after your meal, let the broth cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. For the noodles, place them in a separate container and keep them sealed until you’re ready to enjoy them again.

When you’re ready to reheat your ramen, heat up the broth gently on the stove, and cook the noodles fresh, if possible. You can also reheat the noodles in a pot of hot water for a couple of minutes to bring them back to life. For those soft-boiled eggs, you can keep them in their shells in the fridge, but once you’re ready to serve, just peel and halve them again before adding them to your bowl. It’s the best way to ensure everything tastes as fresh and flavorful as when you first made it.

If you happen to have some toppings left, like the green onions, bamboo shoots, or bean sprouts, it’s a good idea to store them separately in small containers. Fresh vegetables can lose their crunch or color if mixed with the broth for too long. That way, when you reassemble your ramen, everything will be vibrant and delicious, just like the first time.

Conclusion

And there you have it—your very own bowl of homemade ramen! From the rich, savory broth to the slurp-worthy noodles and the perfect toppings, making ramen from scratch is a little like creating a warm hug in a bowl. The beauty of it is that you can personalize it however you like, whether you want to turn up the spice, add some crispy toppings, or play around with different proteins and veggies. The possibilities are endless, and that’s what makes ramen so fun to cook and eat.

If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turns out! Did you make any fun changes or find new flavor combinations? Feel free to share your thoughts and feedback—I’m always up for a good ramen chat! And if you need any help along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy cooking, and I hope your homemade ramen brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine.

Print Recipe

Homemade Ramen

Author: Emily Roberts Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 25 mins Total Time 40 mins

Calories: 450

Description

Homemade ramen is a comforting bowl of savory broth, perfectly tender noodles, and a medley of rich toppings like soft-boiled eggs, tender pork, and fresh vegetables. Every slurp is a warm hug for your taste buds, packed with deep, umami flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 4 cups chicken broth

• 2 cups water

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon miso paste

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar

• 2 teaspoons sugar

• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced

• 4 ounces ramen noodles

• 2 large eggs

• ¹⁄₂ cup green onions, chopped

• ¹⁄₂ cup cooked chicken, shredded

• ¹⁄₄ cup corn kernels

• ¹⁄₄ cup bamboo shoots, sliced

• 1 sheet nori, torn

• ¹⁄₄ cup bean sprouts

Instructions

1. In a medium-sized pot, combine 4 cups of chicken broth and 2 cups of water.
2. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
3. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer.
4. Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of miso paste, and stir until the miso paste is dissolved completely.
5. Stir in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 2 teaspoons of rice vinegar, and 2 teaspoons of sugar, mixing well to combine all the ingredients.
6. Add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of minced ginger to the pot, stirring to incorporate.
7. Continue to simmer the broth for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
8. While the broth simmers, bring a small saucepan of water to a boil.
9. Gently lower 2 large eggs into the boiling water and cook for 7 minutes for soft-boiled eggs.
10. Once cooked, remove the eggs from the boiling water and transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool for 5 minutes.
11. Peel the eggs and set them aside.
12. In a separate pot, bring water to a boil and cook 4 ounces of ramen noodles according to the package instructions.
13. Once cooked, drain the noodles and set them aside.
14. Add 1/2 cup of chopped green onions, 1/2 cup of shredded cooked chicken, 1/4 cup of corn kernels, and 1/4 cup of sliced bamboo shoots to the broth.
15. Let the broth simmer for another 5 minutes to warm through the ingredients.
16. In each serving bowl, place a portion of cooked ramen noodles.
17. Ladle the hot broth with the added ingredients over the noodles.
18. Carefully cut the soft-boiled eggs in half and place them on top of the ramen.
19. Garnish each bowl with 1 sheet of torn nori and 1/4 cup of bean sprouts.
20. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade ramen.

Note

• For a richer broth, you can substitute some of the chicken broth with pork or beef broth.
• If you prefer a spicier ramen, add a bit of chili oil or a dash of hot sauce to the broth.
• For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with tofu and use vegetable broth.
• Feel free to adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar, depending on your taste.
• For extra flavor, consider toasting the nori sheet slightly before adding it to the ramen.

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