I asked AI.
Google Gemini Answer
Absolutely, here's a Tonkotsu Ramen recipe using ingredients you can likely find at Walmart:
Tonkotsu Broth:
- Pork bones (Ideally, a combination of femurs, knuckles, and neck bones) - Ask your butcher to cut them into large pieces for you.
- Water
- 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 inch knob of ginger, peeled and sliced
- 2 scallions, green part only, roughly chopped (save white parts for garnish)
- 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sake (optional, you can substitute with additional mirin)
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon MSG (optional, Accent brand is a common MSG product)
Tare (Seasoning Sauce):
- 1 cup soy sauce (ideally Kikkoman brand)
- 2 tablespoons sake
- 2 teaspoons mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Toppings (Choose your favorites):
- Ramen noodles (fresh or dried, available in the Asian section)
- Soft-boiled eggs (marinated in soy sauce, mirin, and sugar for extra flavor)
- Chashu pork (braised pork belly, you can find pre-made versions at Walmart)
- Sliced scallions (both white and green parts)
- Nori seaweed (sheets of dried seaweed)
- Marinated bamboo shoots
- Kimchi
Instructions:
- Make the Broth: In a large pot, combine pork bones, water, onion, garlic, ginger, and scallion greens. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 8 hours, or up to 24 hours for richer flavor.
- Whisk together the Tare ingredients in a separate bowl and set aside.
- Strain the Broth: Once simmered, remove the pork bones and vegetables from the broth. Strain the broth through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve to remove any impurities. You can skim any excess fat from the surface if desired.
- Cook the Noodles: Following package instructions, cook the ramen noodles according to whether they are fresh or dried.
- Assemble the Ramen: In each serving bowl, add some tare, then ladle in the hot broth. Add cooked ramen noodles, your choice of toppings, and a soft-boiled egg.
Tips:
- You can find pre-made flavored broths at Walmart, but they won't be quite the same as homemade. Look for options labeled "chicken flavored broth" or "pork flavored broth" as a base if you're short on time.
- If you can't find sake, you can substitute with additional mirin.
- To make soft-boiled eggs, place them in boiling water for 6-7 minutes for a runny yolk. Chill immediately in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Peel and marinate in a mixture of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar for extra flavor.
This recipe is a good starting point, and you can adjust the ingredients and toppings to your preference. With a trip to Walmart, you can create a delicious and satisfying Tonkotsu Ramen at home!
