Introduction:

Black garlic ramen is a rich and flavorful twist on traditional ramen, incorporating the deep, umami flavors of black garlic, which has a sweeter, almost balsamic-like taste compared to regular garlic. Black garlic is fermented over several weeks, resulting in a soft, black clove packed with antioxidants and offering a unique complexity to dishes. In this recipe, black garlic enriches the broth, creating a savory, bold ramen that pairs beautifully with tender noodles, pork, and a variety of classic toppings. Let’s dive into the process of making this irresistible black garlic ramen from scratch.

Ingredients:

For the Black Garlic Oil (Mayu):

• 4 cloves black garlic, finely minced
• 4 cloves regular garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

For the Ramen Broth:

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2-inch piece of ginger, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
• 2 cups pork broth (optional, adds richness)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons miso paste (red or white, based on preference)
• 2 tablespoons black garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon mirin (optional for sweetness)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Toppings:

• 4 soft-boiled eggs
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 4 pieces chashu pork (or grilled tofu for a vegetarian option)
• Nori (seaweed sheets)
• Green onions, sliced
• Corn kernels (optional)
• Sesame seeds

For the Noodles:

• 4 servings of fresh ramen noodles (or dried if fresh is unavailable)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Preparing the Black Garlic Oil (Mayu)

1. Heat the oils: In a small saucepan, heat the vegetable oil and sesame oil over medium heat.
2. Cook the garlic: Add the minced regular garlic and stir continuously to avoid burning. Cook until golden brown, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add black garlic: Once the regular garlic is browned, lower the heat and add the minced black garlic. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant. The black garlic will impart a sweet, rich aroma.
4. Blend: Remove from heat, and once slightly cooled, blend the garlic and oil mixture to form a smooth, black garlic oil. Set this aside as a topping for your ramen.

Step 2: Making the Ramen Broth

1. Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion, ginger, and crushed garlic. Sauté until soft and fragrant, around 5-7 minutes.
2. Add broths and seasonings: Pour in the chicken and pork broths (or just vegetable broth if preferred). Stir in the miso paste, soy sauce, black garlic paste, and mirin. Let the broth simmer for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
3. Strain the broth: After simmering, strain the broth to remove the solids (onion, ginger, and garlic). Return the clear, flavorful broth to the pot and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Cooking the Ramen Noodles

1. Cook the noodles: In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Add the ramen noodles and cook according to the package instructions (usually about 3-4 minutes for fresh noodles). Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Step 4: Assembling the Ramen Bowls

1. Prepare the bowls: Divide the cooked noodles among four bowls.
2. Add the broth: Ladle the hot black garlic broth over the noodles.
3. Toppings: Arrange your choice of toppings over the noodles and broth. Typically, this includes chashu pork, soft-boiled eggs, bean sprouts, green onions, and nori. You can also add corn kernels and sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.
4. Finish with black garlic oil: Drizzle the black garlic oil (mayu) generously over each bowl to give the ramen its distinctive, bold flavor.

Tips for Perfect Black Garlic Ramen:

1. Make your own black garlic: If you can’t find black garlic in stores, you can make it at home by fermenting whole garlic bulbs in a warm (140°F/60°C) environment for about 3 weeks. A rice cooker with a warm setting works well for this.
2. Adjust the richness: If you prefer a lighter broth, use only chicken or vegetable broth. For a creamier, richer ramen, add pork broth or even a splash of heavy cream to the mix.
3. Customize your toppings: Ramen is highly customizable. Play around with different toppings like bamboo shoots, mushrooms, pickled ginger, or even fried tofu.
4. Perfect soft-boiled eggs: For the ideal ramen egg, boil eggs for 6-7 minutes, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath. This will result in a soft, jammy yolk that complements the ramen perfectly.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: ~600 kcal
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fat: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 1800mg (can be adjusted with low-sodium soy sauce)

Conclusion:

Black garlic ramen is a luxurious, flavorful meal that combines the depth of umami with the sweet, complex notes of black garlic. Whether you’re a ramen enthusiast or just looking to explore new flavors, this recipe is sure to impress. Enjoy the rich broth, tender noodles, and the perfect balance of toppings, and feel free to make this dish your own with personal twists!