Toyama Black Ramen with a Philly Twist

Ingredients

In this Philly-inspired adaptation, we incorporate cream cheese and crispy bacon to infuse the dish with the flavors of Philadelphia. These additions provide a creamy and smoky element that complements the traditional umami flavors of Toyama Black Ramen. We alse have the original recipe for Toyama Black Ramen, so you can check it out.

• 4 cups (940ml) chicken broth 4 cups (940ml) chicken broth
• 2 cups (470ml) water 2 cups (470ml) water
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons miso paste 2 tablespoons miso paste
• 2 tablespoons black garlic oil 2 tablespoons black garlic oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup sliced bamboo shoots 1 cup sliced bamboo shoots
• 2 packs of ramen noodles 2 packs of ramen noodles
• 4 slices of chashu pork 4 slices of chashu pork
• 2 soft-boiled eggs, marinated in soy sauce 2 soft-boiled eggs, marinated in soy sauce
• 4 tablespoons cream cheese 4 tablespoons cream cheese
• 4 slices of crispy bacon 4 slices of crispy bacon
• 2 green onions, chopped 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat vegetable oil and sesame oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ginger, and sauté until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Pour chicken broth and water into the pot. Stir in soy sauce, miso paste, and black garlic oil. Bring the broth to a simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes.
3. 3.
   Meanwhile, cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
4. 4.
   In a separate pan, fry the bacon until crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. 5.
   Add sliced mushrooms and bamboo shoots to the simmering broth. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
6. 6.
   Season the broth with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Divide the cooked ramen noodles into serving bowls. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles.
8. 8.
   Top each bowl with chashu pork, marinated soft-boiled eggs, cream cheese, crispy bacon, and chopped green onions.
9. 9.
   Serve the Philly-inspired Toyama Black Ramen hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ramen noodles — Follow the package instructions for cooking time, as it may vary between brands.
• Chashu pork — For a tender and flavorful result, marinate the pork slices in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic overnight before cooking.
• Soft-boiled eggs — To achieve the perfect soft-boiled texture, cook the eggs for 6-7 minutes and then immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
• Cream cheese — Allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature before adding it to the ramen for easier incorporation into the broth.
• Black garlic oil — If black garlic oil is not available, you can make your own by slowly cooking minced garlic in vegetable oil until it turns black and develops a rich flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add a few drops of hot sauce or chili oil to the broth.
• Customize your toppings by adding sautéed bell peppers, bean sprouts, or corn.
• If you prefer a thicker broth, dissolve a teaspoon of cornstarch in water and add it to the simmering broth.
• Experiment with different types of mushrooms, such as shiitake or enoki, to enhance the umami flavors.
• To save time, you can use pre-packaged chashu pork or substitute it with thinly sliced roast beef.

Serving advice

Serve the Philly-inspired Toyama Black Ramen piping hot in individual bowls. Garnish with additional chopped green onions and a drizzle of black garlic oil for an extra burst of flavor.

Presentation advice

To enhance the visual appeal, arrange the toppings neatly on top of the noodles, ensuring each ingredient is visible. The contrasting colors of the chashu pork, marinated eggs, cream cheese, and crispy bacon will make the dish visually enticing.