There are a lot of things to love about ramen. Not only is it a cheap, comforting meal, but it can be made into many different variations with just the addition or subtraction of ingredients. And for the most part, making a great bowl of ramen can be done from home. But a great tasting bowl of ramen requires much more than just the right noodles and broth.

First, the broth is critical. There are several styles of ramen broth, but shoyu (soy sauce) is the most common. Other types of ramen broth include shio (salt), tonkotsu (pork bone), and miso. Some ramen restaurants even create their own special blends of broth to make them unique and worth returning for.

The type of noodles you choose is also important. Noodles are available in high alkaline and low alkaline varieties, with higher alkaline noodles being thinner and springier. Noodles can also be cut differently, which makes them thicker or thinner and longer or shorter. Noodle thickness and texture are a personal choice, but for ramen, thinner noodles tend to pair best with lighter broths, while thicker noodles work well with richer flavors.

Another key ingredient in a great bowl of ramen is mirin, which adds sweetness to the broth. Mirin is typically made from sherry, but it can be substituted for other types of alcohol or with a mixture of brown sugar and water. You can find mirin in specialty Japanese markets or sometimes in the international aisle at supermarkets.

Finally, toppings are what really makes a ramen bowl special. A great variety of garnishes is available at ramen shops, with each one adding something to the overall flavor and experience. Common toppings include scallions, chashu (braised pork belly), marinated soft-boiled eggs, and seaweed. Some restaurants also serve fatty grilled chicken or imitation crab.

To make a simple ramen at home, you can cook up some instant noodle soup and then top it with the toppings of your choice. You can also use fresh blanched vegetables or a rotisserie chicken instead of the chashu. To add some extra umami, drizzle the bowl with a bit of aroma oil, like shio or tonkotsu broth, or a splash of mirin.

If you want to take your ramen game to the next level, try toto macau cooking up some of your own homemade noodle soup and using it as a base for a delicious bowl of ramen. You can make your own ramen noodles by boiling the fresh noodles in a large pot of unsalted water for about two minutes if you’re using hand-cut or spaghetti-cut noodles, and about a minute and a half for the thinnest, softest noodles. Then drain thoroughly, shaking off as much water as possible. Finally, top the ramen with some of the classic condiments you’d find at a ramen shop, like chili oil or paste, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, miso paste, sriracha sauce, or Japan’s Seven Spice mix (schichimi togarashi).