This is Japan’s classic ramen, the one I crave most when I want to go back to the basics. Also known as “Tokyo-style” ramen, it’s the way ramen was originally prepared after it was adopted from Chinese cooking. Native to, yes, Tokyo, it’s always served with the same venerable toppings, which I include in the recipe below.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 4
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Place the eggs in a small pot with the salt. Add enough cold water to cover the eggs, then set the pot over high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, cover the pot and turn off the heat. Let sit for 12 minutes. Drain the eggs and rinse under cold water until cool enough to handle. Remove the shells from the eggs and discard.
Step 2
Place the peeled eggs in a small pot and cover with the pork belly braising liquid. Bring the liquid just to a boil, then turn off the heat and let the eggs sit in the hot liquid until ready to use. If possible, let the eggs sit in the braising liquid overnight.
Step 3
Combine the chicken stock and Shoyu Base in a pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover to keep warm.
Step 4
Prepare an ice bath and place a large pot of water over high heat. When the water comes to a boil, add the spinach to the boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Remove the spinach from the water (keep the pot of water) and submerge in the ice bath. Once cool, drain the spinach by squeezing to remove excess moisture. Set aside.
Step 5
Return the water to a boil and add the ramen noodles. Cook, following package instructions, then drain well.
Step 6
Remove the eggs from the pork belly braising liquid and cut each in half. Divide the noodles among 4 bowls. Top each with 2 1/4 cups broth, and then arrange in a circle over the noodles one-fourth each of the spinach, egg, pork belly, menma, and naruto, with the scallions in the center. Garnish each bowl with a sheet of nori.
