Hard to believe our last day has arrived. And we saved one of the best activities for last — learning to cook Japanese Ramen and Gyozas from the experts. Our class had a family of four with two young boys from Germany and a lady from Brazil who were all very enjoyable to get to know.
As per usual, Kevin was the star with the best noodle dough and the best looking Gyoza flip (even though I’m fully responsible for rolling every single one of those gyozas myself cause K is not coordinated in the folding department).
We crushed bones, chopped veggies, pressed noodles, branded eggs, mixed the two bases and plated our dishes learning all the recipes and tricks of the locals.
For ramen newbies, there are five layers to ramen. It’s not just broth and noodles. You start with a base flavor that the broth is then added to. Then create a bed of noodles to add all your toppings. And top with your aroma oil.
Jessica:
Base: Three kinds of miso, soy and tahini (sesame paste)
Broth: Tonkotsu (pork bone)
Noodle: Charcoal Ramen
Toppings: Marinated egg, Negi (leek-esque), spicy pork mince, pork roll, pumpkin slice
Aroma Oil: Black Garlic Oil
Not added but normally included: Seaweed, Fish cake, Bonito (fish) flakes
Kevin:
Base: chicken soyu
Broth: Clear Assari (chicken and pork bone)
Noodle: Plain ramen
Toppings: Marinated egg, Negi (leek-esque), pork roll, pumpkin slice, seaweed (for show only)
Aroma Oil: Spicy Red Pepper Oil
Not added but normally included: Shrimp Wonton, Fish cake, Bonito (fish) flakes
Obviously you can see that mine has more flavor and overall was better. All I would change is not making charcoal noodles. The class did this to help us keep track — black noodles in the black bowl with the creamy base and white noodles in the white bowl with the clear base.
The gyozas were really surprising too — soooo much sesame in it which I LOVE but Kevin isn’t the biggest fan. I can’t wait to make those again at home — so quick and easy and so good.
About the middle of the class it rained really hard, so we timed the inside activity really well and it cooled the air off slightly, so the walk back to the train wasn’t so miserable.
But humidity came running up when we stopped at the Meiji Jinju Shrine which was quite the walk through the woods, but was really pretty. Last stop was the third and final Lego store stamp. Back to our neighborhood for one last stroll around Senso-ji Temple and to spend our last bit of yen.
Tomorrow is our long journey back with trains, planes and automobiles. Traveling back in time landing in LA six hours before we depart Tokyo. We have a stupid long layover at LAX because the airline moved one of our flights, but I think we are both ready for some very American breakfast food upon landing.
Until our next adventure <3
