Ramen broth quality is everything. The tallow trick comes from the best ramen shops in Japan: a small amount of animal fat (tare fat in tonkotsu, lard in shoyu, tallow in certain beef-based ramens) floated on the broth surface keeps the broth hot, carries flavour compounds from the bowl rim to every spoonful, and gives the broth a richness that unsupported stock cannot achieve.
Miso Ramen Recipe
Ingredients
- 400g fresh ramen noodles or 4 portions dried ramen
- 1.5L (6 cups) good quality chicken or pork stock
- 3 tbsp white (shiro) miso paste
- 1 tbsp beef tallow
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- Toppings: sliced chashu pork (see note), soft-boiled eggs (marinated in soy and mirin), bamboo shoots, corn, nori, sliced spring onion, sesame seeds, chilli oil
Method
- Make the tare: whisk together the miso, soy sauce, and mirin until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, warm the tallow over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute.
- Add the chicken or pork stock. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes.
- Whisk the tare into the hot (but not boiling) stock — miso should never boil, as it kills the beneficial bacteria and changes the flavour. Taste and adjust with more miso for deeper flavour, more soy for salt, or more mirin for sweetness.
- Cook the ramen noodles according to package directions. Drain.
- Divide the noodles between 4 deep bowls. Ladle the hot miso broth over the noodles.
- Top with your chosen garnishes. Serve immediately.
Is miso ramen seed oil free?
Yes with tallow. Most ramen shops use vegetable oil or pork lard — tallow is seed oil free. Check any commercial chilli oil topping, which may contain canola.
What is chashu pork?
Rolled pork belly braised in soy, mirin, and sake — the standard ramen protein. Cook in a 1:1:1 mixture of soy, mirin, and sake for 45 minutes, then slice.
Why not boil after adding miso?
Miso is a fermented product with living cultures. Boiling destroys these and also causes the flavour to become sharper and less complex.
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