How to make Tofu Ramen with Nori

How to make Tofu Ramen with Nori

How to make Tofu Ramen with Nori: Recipe

Ramen is another delicious Japanese soup, also often eaten in the longevity zone of Okinawa, as well as other areas of Japan. Just like miso, is very nourishing and filling, and the Nori always makes a really delicious umami accompaniment to it. In contrast to miso soups, ramen soups are made with lots of delicious buckwheat noodles, called 'soba', but feel free to substitute the noodles for others of your choice – be it wheat, bean noodles, or rice noodles. We made ours with tofu, but feel free to substitute for any other protein of your choice!


Ingredients

1 tablespoon oil (if using)

7 cloves garlic

1/3 inch piece ginger

1 large yellow onion

150g fresh shiitake mushrooms (or substitute with white mushrooms)

 30g dried shiitake mushrooms (or other dried mushrooms)

1 carrot, cup into batons

4 cups vegetable broth

3 tablespoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons mirin

3 tablespoons white miso paste

1 teaspoon sesame oil

10 oz (300g) soba noodles

 

Toppings

1/2 cup green onions

1 cup spinach

1 small head bok choy or cabbage, sliced

4 sheets of Nori

1 block of firm tofu (circa 300g)


Method

  1. Chop onions, mince garlic and shred the ginger.

  2. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add oil and saute onions, garlic and ginger until the onions are just browning. Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms. To re-hydrate the shiitake mushrooms, soak in hot water until soft (20 min), separate the mushrooms and the soaking water and set them both aside for use later.

  3. Add the vegetable stock and 4 cups of water, and the liquid from the soaked dried mushrooms.

  4. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 30 minutes and add the carrots 15 minutes before switching off the heat. The flavors will develop more with time, so reduce or increase the simmering time, depending on how much time you have.

  5. In a bowl, dissolve the miso paste with some of the hot broth. Add it back to the pot. Add the sesame oil and mirin. Adjust seasoning to taste.

  6. While the soup is simmering, prepare your toppings. For the tofu, you can leave it just like that, or saute the tofu in a little oil if you prefer.

  7. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the ramen according to the package instructions. Chop up the green onions, spinach, bok choy (or cabbage) and the Nori.

  8. To serve, add the soba noodles, top with the broth and with the desired toppings. For additional heat, add some sriracha, sambal or fresh chilli.

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