# ラーメン (Ramen) -  Japanese Noodle Soup

## Description:
ラーメン is a popular Japanese noodle soup known for its rich, savory broth and customizable toppings. This dish offers a balance of flavors and textures, making it a beloved comfort food in Japan and worldwide.

## Instructions:
1. **Broth Preparation:**
   - In a large pot, combine 8 cups (2 liters) of water, 4 slices of fresh ginger, 4 green onions (chopped), 2 star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 cloves garlic (crushed), and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Bring it to a boil.
   - Reduce heat to low and add 4 tablespoons of dashi (Japanese soup stock) or a low-sodium chicken broth. Simmer for 30 minutes to infuse flavors.
   - Strain the broth to remove solids, returning the liquid to the pot. Add 2 tablespoons of miso paste and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

2. **Cooking Noodles:**
   - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 400g of ramen noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.

3. **Preparing Toppings:**
   - **Chashu (Pork Belly):** Cut 300g of pork belly into thin slices. Marinate in a mixture of 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of mirin (sweet rice wine), 1 tablespoon of sake, and 1 teaspoon of sugar for 30 minutes. Pan-fry until crispy.
   - **Soft-Boiled Egg:** Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Gently lower an egg into the water and cook for 6 minutes for a runny yolk.
   - **Nori (Seaweed):** Cut 2 sheets of nori into small strips.
   - **Green Onions:** Chop 2 more green onions for garnish.

4. **Assembly:**
   - Divide the cooked noodles among bowls.
   - Ladle the hot broth over the noodles.
   - Top each bowl with chashu, a soft-boiled egg, nori strips, and green onions.
   - Optionally, add additional toppings like bean sprouts, corn, or sliced mushrooms.

## Allergens:
- Soy
- Wheat (from noodles)
- Milk (from butter/dairy products - substitute with vegetable oil)

## Cooking Time:
- Preparation: 45 minutes
- Cooking: 30 minutes
- Total: 1 hour 15 minutes

## Substitutes:
- **Dashi:** If unavailable, use a good-quality instant dashi powder or a vegetable broth as a base for the soup.
- **Miso:** White miso or shio miso can be used as alternatives.
- **Nori:** In a pinch, you can use dried seaweed sheets found in Asian grocery stores as a substitute.
- **Pork Belly (Chashu):** For a vegetarian option, skip the pork and consider tofu or seitan cooked in a similar marinade.