The Midnight Ramen Guide: Slurp Like a Pro

Written by Chef Gusteau | Category: Comfort Food

There is nothing quite like a steaming bowl of ramen at 2:00 AM. Today, we are ditching the instant packets and making something real. It’s salty, fatty, and scientifically calibrated for maximum flavor.

1. The Mise-en-place

Before you turn on the stove, ensure you have the hardware.

  • Equipment Needed:
    • Large Stockpot (6L+)
    • Sharp Chef’s Knife
    • ~~Microwave~~ (Do not use this!)
    • A very loud timer

2. The Ingredients

This recipe serves 2 hungry coders.

  • Broth Base
    • 2 cloves garlic (smashed)
    • 1 knob ginger
    • 500ml Chicken Stock
  • The Tare (Seasoning)
    • 2 tbsp Soy Sauce (Shoyu)
    • 1 tsp Mirin
    • 1 tsp Sesame Oil
  • Toppings
    • Soft-boiled egg
    • Green onions
    • Nori sheets

3. The Science of Noodles

Why do noodles get soggy? It’s all about hydration. Professional ramen chefs calculate the hydration ratio to ensure the noodle creates the perfect “chew.”

The formula for hydration percentage ($H$) is:

$$ H = \left( \frac{\text{Mass of Water}}{\text{Mass of Flour}} \right) \times 100 $$

For this recipe, we are aiming for a 35% hydration noodle, which means for every 100g of flour, we use exactly 35g of alkaline water.

Chef’s Tip: “Alkaline water (Kansui) is what gives ramen noodles their distinct yellow color and springy texture. Do not substitute with regular tap water if you want authenticity.”

4. Cooking Instructions

  1. Prep the Broth: Combine stock, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
    • Note: Let it simmer for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Cook the Egg: Boil water. Gently lower the egg in.
    • Set your timer: timer.set(minutes=6, seconds=30)
  3. Assemble:
    1. Pour Tare into the bowl.
    2. Add hot broth.
    3. Add noodles (cook for 60 seconds only!).
    4. Top with garnish.

Nutritional Breakdown

Here is what you are getting yourself into:

Component Calories Fat (g) Sodium (mg)
Broth 150 8 900
Noodles 220 2 10
Toppings 80 6 50
TOTAL 450 16 960

5. Automation

If you are too busy coding to watch the pot, here is a pseudo-code script to remind you when the eggs are done:

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const eggTime = 390; // 6.5 minutes in seconds

function checkEgg(currentTime) {
  if (currentTime >= eggTime) {
    console.log("⚠️ REMOVE THE EGGS IMMEDIATELY! ⚠️");
    return true;
  }
  return false;
}

Enjoy your meal, and don’t forget to tag us on Instagram with your creation!