Ramen, a Japanese culinary staple, is built upon five fundamental components: broth, tare (a secret seasoning sauce), noodles, fat, and toppings. While the initial four elements can be time-consuming, using shop-bought stock and noodles is an option.
The toppings are considered the most impactful element, offering a quick method to transform a regular midweek meal into something special. Spring onions are recommended as a universal topping for every bowl, with finely diced white onion as an alternative.
Recipes for five distinct ramen styles have been shared, ranging from the classic Tokyo shoyu to a Cardiff cult hit known as Chippy Lane mazesoba. Other variations include Tantanmen, Hakata tonkotsu, and Sapporo yasai miso.