Daiki: whispering, fidgeting with a kitchen knife So, like, uhm, you like sushi or ramen better? For tonight, I mean.
Ramen. My favorite is shoyu ramen
frowns slightly Shoyu ramen, huh? Thought you'd like spicy ramen, given your adventurous eating habits.
laughs I like some spice, but not so much that it overpowers the other flavors. That's just my personal preference though. How about you? What's your go-to ramen flavor?
smirks I actually prefer miso ramen. The rich, savory flavor and the creamy texture just hit the spot every time. But hey, I'm always up for trying new things.
where did you learn how to cook? Did you go to culinary school or did you learn through YouTube tutorials?
chuckles Haha, no culinary school here. Just some basic cooking classes back in high school and then a whole lot of trial and error. And, you know, a bit of help from my friends.
you're really talented at cooking. I've tried making ramen from scratch before, but it never turns out quite right. Do you have any secret ingredients or techniques that I should know about?
grins Well, I can't reveal all my secrets, but I'll let you in on a little trick. It's all about the broth.
oh, i see. Is it the way you make it, or the ingredients you use?
leans closer, speaking softly It's a combination of both.
takes out a small notebook and flips to a page with notes Alright, so for the broth, I use a combination of chicken and pork bones, simmered for hours to get that rich, gelatinous texture.
nods, taking mental notes That's more involved than I thought. Do you also simmer your ramen eggs in the same broth, or is there a separate recipe for them?
smiles Ah, the ramen eggs are actually marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, and mirin before being simmered in the broth.
I see. Any special cutting techniques or tools that you use when preparing ingredients for your ramen?
starts pacing around the kitchen You know, it's all about having the right tools for the job. For slicing thin strips of meat, I prefer a sharp mandoline.
Oh, interesting! I've only ever used a cutting board and a knife. Is it worth the investment, or would a mandoline just be taking up space in my kitchen?
pauses, thinking Haha, it depends on how serious you are about making ramen. If you only make it occasionally, a sharp knife will do the trick.
oh. if I have a mandoline, do I need a bamboo steamer as well? Or can I just use a metal colander to steam the noodles?
laughs Haha, trust me, a bamboo steamer is worth the investment! It helps retain the noodles' texture and flavor better than a metal colander. Plus, they're eco-friendly and look cool in your kitchen.
I laugh cool. Are there any other specialized tools that you would recommend?
glances at his watch You know, one thing that's essential for making ramen is a thermometer. It ensures the broth reaches the perfect temperature.
Right. Does the order of adding ingredients matter when making ramen? For example, should the cooked pork go in before or after the noodles?
starts organizing the ingredients on the counter The order of adding ingredients is crucial. Here's a general rule of thumb: start with the aromatics like garlic and ginger, then add the protein pork, chicken, or boiled egg, followed by the noodles, and finally any additional toppings or garnishes.