Vegan Shoyu Ramen

Ingredients

• 4 oz of firm tofu (pressed)
• 3-4 servings of ramen noodles (used fresh ramen)
• Menma (seasoned bamboo shoots)
• A handful of chopped scallions
• cooking oil
• 4 slices of ginger
• 10 dried Shiitake mushrooms (cleaned)
• 1 cup raw cashew - washed
• 3 leeks (chopped)
• 1.5 lbs daikon radish - chopped in bite-size cubes
• 2 small garlic bulbs (cut in half)
• 1 oz kombu
• 20 cups of water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon mushrooms seasoning
• 1 cup of light soy sauce
• 1/2 cup of dark soy sauce
• 1/3 cup sake
• 1/3 cup mirin
• 2-3 stalks scallion (white part only)
• 2-3 garlic cloves (mashed)
• 3 slices of ginger

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Prepare the Broth ---

2. 2

   Sauté ginger and mushrooms with a tablespoon of oil in a large stockpot until aromatic. Then, continue to stir-fry cashews, leek, and daikon radish for a few minutes. Add the water, turn the heat to high. Immerse the garlic bulb and kombu in the water, then add the salt.

3. 3

   Cover the pot with a lid and bring it to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes. Remove kombu right after it comes to a boil for a less murky broth. Season with mushrooms seasoning.

4. 4

   --- Prepare the Tare and Tofu ---

5. 5

   Place all tare ingredients in a small saucepan, then bring it to a rolling boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for about 10 -15 minutes, uncovered until it reduces to almost half. Set it aside, I prefer to let the aromatics steep in the tare for as long as I could to extract the maximum flavor. If not used immediately, store it in a jar once it's cooled down for future use (but strain out the aromatics).

6. 6

   To prepare the tofu, cut it into 4 blocks and place them on a shallow plate. Ladle a scoop (about 2 tablespoons) of tare over and marinate for at least 15 minutes (turning occasionally so all tofu sides are well-coated).

7. 7

   Next, heat a non-stick pan with a drizzle of oil. Pan-fry the tofu until golden brown over medium-low heat, until a thin crust forms, about 2-3 minutes on each side. Let it cool completely before slicing it.

8. 8

   --- How to serve ---

9. 9

   Now, strain the broth into another pot and pick out the mushrooms and kelp (if not removed earlier) and reserve for another dish. Keep the broth warm over low heat.

10. 10

    Bring a pot of water to boil, then blanch mung bean sprouts for a few seconds. Use the same pot to cook the ramen noodles as directed on the package.

11. 11

    To serve, add 2 tablespoons (adjust this based on your taste) of tare in a bowl, and ladle the broth over. Add the noodles, and top with mung bean sprouts, menma, chopped scallions and tofu cha shu. Serve warm.