What broth this on?
Brunch|May 18, 2024
Hopeless ramentic? Slurp up this guide and order the best bowl, every time
Urvee Modwel
What broth this on?

What separates a tonkotsu from a shoyu? Do udon noodles go better with pork or fish? Who does a silkier broth: Tokyo or Seoul? Bring the ramen experts in. Parth Bajaj, 27, chef and content creator; Navika Kapoor, 25, chef-owner at Zuru Zuru; and Kunal Dogra, 28, co-founder of Gurgaon-based Long Finish by Ramen Donn, create the ultimate guide to ramen.

First, pin the location. "At its core, ramen consists of four essentials: A rich bone or mushroom broth that's full of flavour, perfectly cooked noodles, a unique tare or seasoning base, and a variety of toppings," says Dogra. Both Japan and South Korea are proud of their ramen heritage and they should be. But most Korean ramen (or ramyun, as they call it) in India is the packaged or instant version, even if it's turned into a restaurant dish. Japanese style ramen, mostly served in restaurants, is made from scratch. Better restaurants will even make fresh noodles inhouse. Bajaj travelled to both countries to learn proper ramen techniques. Kyushu, north Japan, is home to the rich, pork-based tonkotsu ramen, while Tokyo loves shoyu or soy-based tare and a clear chicken broth.

This story is from the May 18, 2024 edition of Brunch.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 18, 2024 edition of Brunch.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BRUNCHView All
Let's tri all the angles
Brunch

Let's tri all the angles

BFFs falling for the same girl, kidnap twists, murders, bromances. These 10 three-way love stories play with geometry and our feelings

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Should you Q up for this?
Brunch

Should you Q up for this?

Audi's luxury SUV, the Q8, has had a refresh. But a sleeker grille and headlight tech don't make up for what's still missing

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
How to plan a great escape
Brunch

How to plan a great escape

It's getting colder. It's already hard to breathe. Why not plan a winter vacation that's a world away but not too far away?

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Kababs, yes, but khandvi too
Brunch

Kababs, yes, but khandvi too

Mughlai cuisine has as many vegetarian dishes as meaty ones. A new translation of a 16th century manuscript shows how we ate, and why modern labels are pointless

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
I can be your hero
Brunch

I can be your hero

Gurfateh Pirzada, only afewroles old, is the green flag we didn't know we needed. He's learning from women. He wants to be more thana lover and a fighter. He's hoping we all do better. No wonder everyone's crushing on him

time-read
4 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Meet the export experts
Brunch

Meet the export experts

Khadi crop-tops in Spain, faux-leather hoodies in London, fairytale wedding gowns in the UAE. See how some desi labels are killing it on foreign shores

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Why we're all feeling Blue
Brunch

Why we're all feeling Blue

Coco Mellors's new novel is about grief, sisterhood, and of course, addiction and unlikeable women. How does she make it work?

time-read
4 mins  |
November 09, 2024
This week, we're...
Brunch

This week, we're...

Changing the momo game, listening to kids, starting a new business, and supporting pro waxxers

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Rohit Chawla
Brunch

Rohit Chawla

Photographer, artist, @RohitChawlaPhotography_

time-read
1 min  |
November 02, 2024
Congratulations, it's a goal
Brunch

Congratulations, it's a goal

Lakeside vows, pastel palettes, bayous, backyards and boats. These celeb weddings are what modern fairytales are made of

time-read
2 mins  |
November 02, 2024