Directions

One Day Before Ramen Making 🍜

1. To prepare the eggs, cover them with cold water in a small pot and bring to a simmer over high heat. Ready an ice bath in a medium mixing bowl.

2. Once the water is boiling, adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer for 6 minutes (or longer if you prefer hard-boiled), then use a slotted spoon to transfer to the ice bath to cool and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, to prepare the dashi, add the kombu, along with 2½ cups of water to a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then adjust the heat to gently simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat and add the bonito flakes. Steep for 15 minutes, then use a fine mesh strainer to strain over a large bowl to reserve the liquid. Store the dashi, covered in your refrigerator, overnight (you should have about 2 cups).
5. Peel the eggs and transfer to a small container. Soak in enough tare to cover the eggs (setting aside the remaining tare for braising your pork tomorrow when cooking). Cover and set aside in your refrigerator overnight.

2 1/2 Hours Before Enjoying the Ramen 🍜

1. Preheat your oven to 375F. Set the pork aside at room temperature on a paper towel-lined plate to temper.

2. Place the pork belly into a baking dish and add the remaining tare. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and braise in the oven until tender and cooked through, about 2½-3 hours. Check the pork belly every 30 minutes to ensure there is still liquid. If the liquid has all evaporated, add water. Remove from your oven and set aside.

PREP 🥒

1. Bring a large pot of (unsalted) water to a boil.

2. Trim and quarter half of the scallions.
3. Smash the garlic, leaving its peel. Cut the ginger into medium-sized pieces.

HOW TO COOK 🍳

1. Transfer the quartered scallions, smashed garlic, and chopped ginger to a medium pot, along with 2 cups of the chicken stock, 2 cups of the dashi, the sesame oil, soy sauce, mirin, and 1 tablespoon of sake. Bring to a boil over high heat, then adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, trim and thinly slice the remaining half of the scallions.
3. Slice the braised pork belly.
4. Once water is at a rolling boil, add the noodles, stir, and cook until done, about 3 minutes.
5. Strain the ramen broth over a large bowl to reserve its liquid.
6. Strain the cooked noodles and transfer to your serving bowl. Ladle in your desired amount of broth, top with the egg, sliced scallions, bamboo shoots, chili threads, and pork belly. Enjoy!!!