Shoyu Ramen

Name: Shoyu Ramen
Ingredients: BROTH; 4 pounds chicken necks and backs; One 3-pound rack of pork baby back ribs, cut into 4 sections; 1 large leek, halved lengthwise; 2 ounces fresh ginger, thinly sliced (1/2 cup); 4 garlic cloves; 4 quarts water; 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons shoyu or other soy sauce; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; One 3 1/2-pound boneless pork shoulder butt, trimmed and tied; Salt; One 12-by-2-inch piece of kombu (seaweed); RAMEN; Shoyu or other soy sauce, for seasoning and brushing; 24 ounces fresh or 16 ounces dried chuka soba (curly noodles), boiled until al dente; 5 ounces baby spinach, steamed; 4 large soft-boiled eggs, peeled and soaked for 1 hour in equal parts soy sauce and mirin (sweet rice wine); 2 thinly sliced scallions, 2 sheets of quartered nori (dried seaweed), rice vinegar and togarashi (Japanese chile powder), for garnishing and seasoning

18 ingredients

6 steps

Ingredients

BROTH
4 pounds chicken necks and backs
One 3-pound rack of pork baby back ribs, cut into 4 sections
1 large leek, halved lengthwise
2 ounces fresh ginger, thinly sliced (1/2 cup)
4 garlic cloves
4 quarts water
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons shoyu or other soy sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
One 3 1/2-pound boneless pork shoulder butt, trimmed and tied
Salt
One 12-by-2-inch piece of kombu (seaweed)
RAMEN
Shoyu or other soy sauce, for seasoning and brushing
24 ounces fresh or 16 ounces dried chuka soba (curly noodles), boiled until al dente
5 ounces baby spinach, steamed
4 large soft-boiled eggs, peeled and soaked for 1 hour in equal parts soy sauce and mirin (sweet rice wine)
2 thinly sliced scallions, 2 sheets of quartered nori (dried seaweed), rice vinegar and togarashi (Japanese chile powder), for garnishing and seasoning

Directions

1

1. MAKE THE BROTH: In a large stockpot, combine the chicken, ribs, leek, ginger, garlic, water and shoyu. Bring to a boil.
2

2. Meanwhile, in a skillet, heat the oil. Season the pork butt with salt and brown it well on all sides over high heat, 12 minutes; transfer to the stockpot. Simmer the broth over moderately low heat for 2 hours, until the pork butt and ribs are just tender; skim any scum that rises to the surface. Transfer the pork butt and ribs to a platter and refrigerate. Strain the broth and discard the remaining solids.
3

3. Return the broth to the pot. Add the kombu and simmer over moderately low heat for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Let cool, then chill and refrigerate the broth overnight.
4

4. THE NEXT DAY, PREPARE THE RAMEN: Preheat the broiler. Skim the fat off of the broth and discard the kombu. Bring the broth to a simmer. Season with shoyu and keep hot.
5

5. Untie the pork butt and slice it across the grain 1/3 inch thick. Cut the ribs between the bones. Arrange the pork slices and ribs on a large baking sheet and brush with shoyu. Broil 8 inches from the heat for 3 minutes, turning once, until the meat is crisp; keep warm.
6

6. Divide the cooked noodles among 8 bowls and ladle 1 1/2 cups of broth into each one. Add the spinach in piles. Drain the eggs, cut each one in half lengthwise and set a half in each bowl. Arrange 2 slices of pork butt and 1 rib in each bowl and garnish with the scallions and nori. Serve the ramen immediately, passing the rice vinegar and togarashi at the table.