Nothing caps off a day outdoors hiking, camping or backcountry exploring like a warm bowl of homemade ramen. While instant ramen is convenient, home-cooked noodles are a far more satisfying experience, especially if you add a few ingredients to make the broth extra flavorful. And toppings are just as important as the noodles themselves \u2014 they can add texture, depth of flavor and even spice. So whether you’re on the go or want to whip up a quick meal at home, here are 10 things to put on top of your next bowl of ramen.<\/p>\n
To bring out the savory flavors of ramen, saute some garlic and ginger in a little oil before adding the broth and vegetables. These simple aromatics are essential to a balanced ramen recipe.<\/p>\n
Add extra umami with a dash of fish sauce or shoyu sauce. Both of these are common ramen additives that give the soup a rich and salty flavor, which helps balance out the kombu-y umami in the dashi. Then, finish with a splash of soy sauce and sesame oil for some additional flavor and texture.<\/p>\n
A sprinkle of scallions \u2014 or leeks if you’re feeling fancy \u2014 is another easy way to add freshness to your bowl. They also help mask the smell of raw seafood that might be present in some ramen recipes.<\/p>\n
If you prefer a lighter and clearer broth, skip the soy sauce and use white miso instead to make shio ramen. It’s also a good idea to add some mirin, which is sweet rice wine that enhances the flavors of the broth by absorbing any excess starches from the noodles and vegetables.<\/p>\n
Ramen noodles are made from wheat flour that’s treated with an alkaline substance called kansui. When mixed with water, kansui triggers chemical reactions that transform the proteins in the flour into springy and chewy noodles. Then the noodles are coated with a thin layer of flavored cooking oil to protect them from the cold and prevent them from sticking together.<\/p>\n
Some ramen shops cook their pork belly and ribs in the broth to get that sweet, salty and fatty flavor that makes the broth so irresistible. However, you can also buy sliced pork belly and shredded pork from the grocery store to spruce up your bowl.<\/p>\n
For a spicy kick, try sriracha. It’s a staple condiment in many Asian cuisines and is a great way to tame the heat of some spicier ramen.<\/p>\n