ramen

[minakichan]

whats udon? is it similar to ramen in any way?

Udon = the most delicious noodle ever. They're round and fat, and the pasta has this thick, rich texture.

OK, no, I'm exaggerating and it doesn't taste like cake. But they're much better than the thin, boring ramen XD

[EricTheFred]

Because of this thread, I actually sought out a ramen recipe online and bought the ingredients to make my own ramen on Friday... I used shiitake mushrooms, dried kelp, scallions, a boiled egg, chicken slices (was going to use pork, but I tend to be wary of pork when I'm pregnant) and teriyaki sauce/soy sauce... it was fantastic! \(^o^)/
... Now I just have to learn to cook a really good tempura and I'll be set! ^_^

My advice is, FIND A JAPANESE PLACE THAT DOES RAMEN!!!! It is so easy to screw up real ramen. Just a word of warning.

Tempura is very easy. Of all the Japanese cookery I've mastered, it was one off the easiest to learn. (I'm a real foodie, although I can't eat most of what I cook any more. Over the years, I've acquired the basics of Italian, Japanese, and 'Nouvelle Cuisine', and I have the milllions of cookbooks to prove it!) One thing though]Udon = the most delicious noodle ever. They're round and fat, and the pasta has this thick, rich texture.

OK, no, I'm exaggerating and it doesn't taste like cake. But they're much better than the thin, boring ramen XD[/QUOTE]

Real ramen doesn't use the skinny instant-cooking noodles of the plastic-packaged stuff. No fair comparing Udon with the instant stuff. Have a bowl of the real stuff and you may find another dish you love as much as udon.

A third to add to your list... Yakisoba!!!! Oh, how I wish I could have some yakisoba again...

[Lilac#18]

I would love to try the real japanese shop ramen like the one in this picture.


Takayama Ramen

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Over the years, I've acquired the basics of Italian, Japanese, and 'Nouvelle Cuisine', and I have the milllions of cookbooks to prove it!)

Sir, please lend me some of your wisdom!

And Mochiko is awesome. =)

That being said, Ramen is so overrated. XD Real ones do look good... but... are they THAT good?

[EricTheFred]

I would love to try the real japanese shop ramen like the one in this picture.


Takayama Ramen

Oh, yeah. That's what I'm talking about...

Look around your area and see if there is a Japanese lunch counter anywhere in the Asian community. Here in Dallas, the place to go is Kazy's Deli. If you can't find one, then check out the Vietnamese soup kitchens (there is nearly always at least one in any medium sized city). They often have 'Pho' in their name. Some of their noodle soups bear a strong resemblence to ramen, and even those that don't, are still very good stuff.

[quote="Mr. SmartyPants (post: 1242436)"]Sir, please lend me some of your wisdom!

And Mochiko is awesome. =)

That being said, Ramen is so overrated. XD Real ones do look good... but... are they THAT good? ]

Ramen = heaven without the wings and halos. Yeah, it's okay, I guess.

If one desires any help on the cooking front, just PM me. I'm an advice addict. (both giving and receiving) when it comes to all things food.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Ugh, I wouldn't say that Pho resembles Ramen at all.

Pho has that weird aftertaste to it. It's really more of an acquired taste that requires multiple attempts at consumption. Some days I enjoy it, other days it makes me want to barf.

[Cognitive Gear]

Ugh, I wouldn't say that Pho resembles Ramen at all.

Pho has that weird aftertaste to it. It's really more of an acquired taste that requires multiple attempts at consumption. Some days I enjoy it, other days it makes me want to barf.

Really? I always liked Pho. I'll have to look out for that weird aftertaste next time I have it.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Well Pho has this... somewhat strong taste to it.

It's kind of weird, if you ask me. XD Most of the time I love Pho, but I couldn't eat it frequently or anything.

[EricTheFred]

I'm no expert on Vietnamese cuisine (never attempted it) but I suspect they use fish sauce to add some flavor to their broth in many restaurants (it varies.) It may be fish sauce you dislike, or at least the inclusion of it in your soup. Lunch-counter ramen typically uses Soy Sauce in this role.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Nah, it's definitely not Fish sauce.

Another thing I don't like in Pho are Cilantros. Too strong for me. D:

[Tsukuyomi]

Takayama Ramen

Heeeeeeeeeeey, they stole our bowl (?) O__O

Ah, so that's what Udon (sp) noodles are o.o I've seen them and had them, but never realized what they were ^ ^;

I forgot, what's Tempura again o.o?

[EricTheFred]

Nah, it's definitely not Fish sauce.

Another thing I don't like in Pho are Cilantros. Too strong for me. D:

You've intrigued me, so I ended up researching on another break (waiting on my computer.) I go on weird tangents, sometimes.

I found that fresh ginger or star anise both show up in a lot of Pho recipes. I've stopped thinking of these as exotic, because of twenty years married to Filipina, but they're not normal ingredients to a lot of people (except for ground up ginger in cookies and pumpkin pie), and they are both strong flavors. Might be one of these. I wouldn't expect to see either of them in ramen broth.

Take away cilantro/coriander (the greens and sometimes the seed as well), fish sauce, ginger and star anise, and the rest of the typical ingredients are just ordinary beef or chicken broth. So it's got to be one of these.


[quote="Tsukuyomi (post: 1242659)"]Heeeeeeeeeeey, they stole our bowl (?) O__O

Ah, so that's what Udon (sp) noodles are o.o I've seen them and had them, but never realized what they were ^ ^]

Just to make sure... the picture is lunch-counter style ramen. (Not sure if your comment is for the picture or not.) Udon noodles are typically thicker (although, I think ramen and udon noodles are roughly the same raw materials. It's mostly the dish that's different, and the fact that the thicker noodles cook to a different consistency.)

Tempura is fried food. Usually seafood or veggies. The difference is the batter, which makes a lighter, thinner breading than typical European, American or Chinese fried foods. Normally (but not always) in shallower oil than All-American deepfry, but not as shallow as pan-fried.

[Debitt]

I like to boil the instant ramen noodles, then make my own topping of soy sauce, egg, and sauteed onions and mushrooms. In the way of "properly prepared" instant ramen, Oriental is my favorite, though I only add half the packet, then put in a little package of instant miso soup.

It's a passable substitute for actual miso ramen, which is one of my favorite things ever. :3 I'm also incredibly found of kitsune udon/ramen. My family was awesome enough to send me instant bowls of that stuff while I was in Ohio with not an asian market in sight.

[EricTheFred]

I like to boil the instant ramen noodles, then make my own topping of soy sauce, egg, and sauteed onions and mushrooms. In the way of "properly prepared" instant ramen, Oriental is my favorite, though I only add half the packet, then put in a little package of instant miso soup.

It's a passable substitute for actual miso ramen, which is one of my favorite things ever. :3 I'm also incredibly found of kitsune udon/ramen. My family was awesome enough to send me instant bowls of that stuff while I was in Ohio with not an asian market in sight.

Get yourself some actual miso paste, instead. A package of the stuff lasts for months in the fridge. While your noodles are cooking, you can take a couple tablespoons of hot water, add it to a tablespoon of miso in a coffee cup, mix it until the miso dissolves, then dump that into your ramen. Best instant miso ramen ever. Try it!

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Haha, my family did the same. My mom and sister sent me packets of Jin Ramen when I was in Florida.

Although there does seem to be a small Korean grocery store near my school... The lady there was convinced that I looked like some Korean celebrity or something. It was a scary experience. Next time, I'm just going to say that I'm Chinese or Japanese so they don't bother me with their lectures on why it's important to be bilingual. XD

[FukuokaGirl]

I don't usually make the ramen with a packet... as it isn't vegan. So I mix in Wasabi Soy Sauce and red hot sauce... with a tiny bit of miso paste and it's all yummy goodness.

However, I too prefer udon!!! Kitsune udon is my favorite.. though you can't make it instantly. Though I DO buy the packs of udon.

YUUUUM!

[Debitt]

Get yourself some actual miso paste, instead. A package of the stuff lasts for months in the fridge. While your noodles are cooking, you can take a couple tablespoons of hot water, add it to a tablespoon of miso in a coffee cup, mix it until the miso dissolves, then dump that into your ramen. Best instant miso ramen ever. Try it!

Uwaah~ I entertained the idea of getting miso paste, but the only stuff they had at the market was $6 for a tiny bottle. orz I'll need to find me the big tubs over here next time~

[NekoChan_C]

Hmmm, I think I will have to try the Miso paste as well... but I was satisfied with how my homebrewed ramen turned out... even if it wasnt "authentic"... I would LOVE to find a local place that serves up real ramen here in Tampa, but I can't find anything other than your standard Japanese steakhouses... many of which serve ramen, but is it "real" ramen???

*sigh*

[Tundrawolf]

Roast Beef, the broth is good.

[minakichan]

Real ramen doesn't use the skinny instant-cooking noodles of the plastic-packaged stuff. No fair comparing Udon with the instant stuff. Have a bowl of the real stuff and you may find another dish you love as much as udon.

I don't eat instant. EWWWWWWWW. XP So udon is still the best thing ever, like friendship.

I like Pho tho, sometimes. And although udon is my favorite noodle, my favorite noodle dish is zha jiang mian. Aaaaaaaaaaaah it's so simple yet delicious... *_*

[MadHatterChic]

shrimp with tofu and soy sauce mixed in

[Tsukuyomi]

I don't eat instant. EWWWWWWWW. XP So udon is still the best thing ever, like friendship.

I like Pho tho, sometimes. And although udon is my favorite noodle, my favorite noodle dish is zha jiang mian. Aaaaaaaaaaaah it's so simple yet delicious... *_*

MINA, YOU SHOULD SO COME TO MY HOUSE 8D WE HAVE PHO LIKE.. ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND <333

Why go to a Viet or Thai restaurant when you can come to my house ^_____^

[minakichan]

MINA, YOU SHOULD SO COME TO MY HOUSE 8D WE HAVE PHO LIKE.. ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND <333

Why go to a Viet or Thai restaurant when you can come to my house ^_____^

OOOOOOOH I TOTALLY SHOULD.

EXCEPT WE LIVE IN DIFFERENT STATES oAo;;

[KagayakiWashi]

My favorite buy-at-the-normal-store kind is the Yakisoba packs that have come out within the last year. It reminds me of the wonderful UFO bowls from Japan....without the seaweed ;_;. However, there's a restaurant here that serves Ramen Japanese style (I guess) with the bean sprouts, seaweed, pork, noodles, and hard boiled egg......that's some good stuff.

[Shilohan ninja]

I usually eat the cup noodles from the Farmer's Market down the street from my place. My favorite flavors are chicken and beef.