【LA life day 12: The Tonkotsu Ramen that connects the past, present and future】
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Tonkotsu Ramen always reminds me of middle school– there’s a nice little ramen place near my school and I went there after the summer classes with my classmates almost every day. The Tonkotsu Ramen there was so creamy, rich, and flavorful– it was definitely the highlight in the dull middle school years.
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I have never had Tonkotsu Ramen after I turned vegan. The essence of the Tonkotsu Ramen lies in the broth– bones are cooked at a rolling boil for a long period of time until the collagen dissolves into gelatin that adds richness to the broth. My landlord's happy face when describing the taste of her Tonkotsu Ramen inspired me to search for vegan Tonkotsu Ramen recipes– and I had a fruitful discovery! I found that kombu and shitake mushroom boiled in vegetable stock makes perfect soup base– it adds umami and extra depth to the broth. To create the richness and creaminess, we use oat milk and mix it with sesame paste– this creates a subtle sweetness and savoring nuttiness to the soup!
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On a chill Saturday afternoon, I invited my friend to try out this Tonkotsu Ramen recipe with me. We weren't able to get kombu and shitake mushrooms in the grocery stores here in LA, but we found a secret ingredient that works wonders– the fermented bean paste. The fermentation process adds depth to the umami and blends harmoniously with the oat milk, creating a savoring sensation when you sip the noodles.
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We drizzled hot chili oil on top of the ramen for seasoning. The moment the chili oil diffuses into the soup, suddenly I was back in the little ramen place again– it is strange how your sense of smell roots deep inside your memory lane once you allow your mind to return into the grooves which lead back.
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School starts tomorrow and I can literally feel the butterflies in my stomach, yet it's exciting to be able to talk to my professors and classmates face to face after COVID has distanced us for so long. Walking around the campus, the back to school vibe energizes me and I think I am ready for a brand new start!
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