John visited Japan and ate his way through Tokyo last year while I was working as a freelancer in Kansas. Ramen was one of his favorite foods, and ever since, he has been searching for it in the United States.
While there are many restaurants in Portland that serve a fantastic bowl of ramen, the majority of them do not accept vegans. I therefore wanted to attempt to make this somewhat challenging, hearty soup.
Ramen is a popular noodle soup in Japan. It is also believed to have originated in China and been introduced to Japan between the 17th and 20th centuries, though the precise origin is unknown. You can read this entire book about the history of ramen to delve even deeper into the subject.
Ramen broth can be made in a variety of ways, but I chose to keep mine vegan-friendly by using vegetable broth that had been infused with dried shiitake mushrooms, ginger, onion, and garlic.
I also added a little soy (or tamari) sauce and white miso paste to give the dish more depth and that “umami” flavor.
I decided to make baby bok choy, miso-glazed carrots, and crispy tofu in a 10-minute flash-fried dish. Additionally, green onions add a bright, crunchy finish, and chili garlic sauce adds heat.
Make the broth in advance and enjoy individual servings throughout the week, or enjoy all four bowls with family or friends. I hope you all LOVE this hearty, satisfying, simple ramen soup. Either way, you win.
It’s so helpful to us and other readers if you leave a comment and rate this recipe if you do try it. We love seeing what you create, so don’t forget to take a photo and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!.
To Make the Baked Bicarbonate:
Can ramen noodles be made at home?
It is possible to make ramen noodles at home, and it isn’t particularly difficult or expensive to do so.
In 2016, I first shared this recipe after discovering a book called Bowl that contained two different homemade ramen recipe options (I later used fresh noodles in my vegan ramen recipe).
One recipe was a cheater’s version containing egg. The second recipe was for alkaline ramen noodles, which is a classic dish.
You may be wondering what distinguishes ramen noodles from regular pasta.
Although they have a similar appearance, Japanese noodles and Italian pasta differ in that they are made with various ingredients.
Ramen uses finer varieties of milled flour and an alkaline solution, whereas Italian pasta is made with durum wheat flour and water.
Therefore, you’ll need strong (bread) flour, water, and an alkaline agent to make homemade ramen noodles from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions:
FAQ
What are vegan ramen noodles made of?
The conventional ramen noodles, which are made of wheat flour, salt, and water, are indeed vegan.
How do you make ramen noodles from scratch?
- Warm water can be made into an alkaline solution by adding lye water or baked baking soda.
- Mix the flour with the alkaline solution, then form the dough into a ball.
- Rest dough 30 minutes.
- “Knead” 2-3 minutes with rolling pin.
- Roll dough flat with pasta machine.
- Cut dough into long strips of noodles.
How do you make ramen without meat?
- Noodles should be prepared as directed on the package using 2 cups of water.
- Add bouillon, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and seasonings to your soup bowl while the ramen is cooking.
- Enjoy! Add cooked noodles and liquid to a bowl, stir with a fork or chopsticks, and garnish with green onions.
Is there such thing as vegan ramen?
Nissin Top Ramen offers two vegan flavors: soy sauce and chili. Nissin is arguably the most well-known ramen brand in North America.
