Niigata Ginger Shoyu Ramen

A warming Nagaoka-style soy ramen with a pronounced ginger flavor.

A warming Nagaoka-style soy ramen with a pronounced ginger flavor.

The Story

Ginger shoyu ramen is associated with Nagaoka in Niigata Prefecture, an area known for its heavy winter snow. The soup combines a soy sauce-based broth with a pronounced ginger flavor, producing a warming bowl that became a local favorite. It is now recognized as one of Niigata’s distinctive regional ramen styles.

Chintan Broth

Ingredients

  • 1/2 napa cabbage
  • 3/4 carrot
  • 1/2 white onion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 300 g ginger
  • 1 large green onion
  • 1 kg chicken backs
  • 1 kg pork femurs
  • 330 g chicken feet, nails removed
  • 65 g pork fat

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables and aromatics.
  2. Blanch the chicken bones for 30 seconds and the pork bones for 3 minutes.
  3. Add everything to a pot with the pork fat. Bring to a small boil and skim the scum.
  4. Simmer at about 195°F for 6–8 hours.
  5. With 1 1/2 hours remaining, add the aromatics.
  6. Strain.

Ginger Shoyu Tare

Ingredients

  • 100 ml shoyu
  • 50 ml tamari
  • 30 ml mirin
  • 20 ml ginger juice

Instructions

  1. Combine the tare ingredients.

Toppings

Ingredients

  • 2 slices chashu
  • Menma
  • Ajitama
  • Negi
  • Grated ginger

Instructions

  1. Assemble the ramen and finish with the toppings.