Today we’re announcing the winner of the Peko Peko, Family Friendly Japanese Cuisine cookbook giveaway. But first, a big round of thanks to the hard working and philanthropic foodies who put together Peko Peko including our friend Rachael of La Fuji Mama. If you haven’t purchased a cookbook to help Japanese relief efforts, please consider doing so.
And now, drumroll please…
photo > foodiecrush
Congratulations to…Lynx! You’re the winner of the Peko Peko cookbook thanks to your comment, ” my favorite Japanese dish is ramen with ‘soft’ boiled egg. Nothing beats perfectly cooked noodles topped with a glossy soft boiled egg.” Oh be still my ramen loving heart.
And now for the story of why you’re the chosen one. See for me, it started like this…
Mitsuwa Marketplace on Centinela and Venice Blvd was my first. It’s where I fell in love. Hard. With ramen.
Our torrid affair began in the grocery store’s food court. I was a bit shy, unsure of which food court stand would become my favorite suitor. I stood to the side, watching patron after patron quietly take their place at the head of the line and place their order.With a nod of the head, and a quick slight of hand, they were bestowed a golden ticket then deftly made their way to a sea of food court tables.
I gained courage. I made my move and I placed my order. And I waited.
And just when I thought the moment would never come, the man behind the counter sternly and succinctly called my number on the muffled loudspeaker. Heads turned, others glanced at their own tickets in hopes they were the chosen one. I rose to accept his gift with open chopsticks.
And there it was. Miso ramen. Adorned with tofu, fresh veggies, a slice of fish cake, half an egg and a tender slices of chasu. I twirled the noodles, I slurped the soft tofu, I dribbled the broth–that heavenly broth that I ate with abandon, not caring who saw us tangle our freshly made, perfectly cooked noodles.
And then, in a blink of an eye, it was gone.
Our affair lasted for several years, but oh too soon we were torn apart. We’re now separated by hundreds of miles of  mountain ranges and mini malls but our memories will always remain.
And with each and every search for a new ramen to take his place, I always remember Santouka and Mitsuwa Marketplace—my first true noodle love.
For delicious ramen noodles to try at home, check out this Miso Ramen recipe from Peko Peko contributor Jaden Hair of Steamy Kitchen.
Or if you just need a quick fix, here’s my version.
| Simple Miso Ramen |
- 1 package instant ramen noodles, flavor packet saved for another use (visit your Asian store for a good, imported brand or fresh if you can find them. I’m liking the Wu-Mu brand right now, also available in spinach flavor.)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 tsp light miso paste (add more if you like a fuller flavor broth)
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1/4 cup fresh spinach
- 1 T sliced green onion, chopped
- First boil eggs. Bring a pot of water—enough to cover eggs by 1 inch—to a rolling boil. Gently add eggs to water and boil for 4 minutes. Remove from boiling water and put into a bowl filled with ice and water to stop cooking time. Rest for 1-2 minutes in ice bath then crack eggs in half. Using a small spoon, round edge of shell and spoon out egg. Set aside.
- In another saucepan while eggs are boiling, bring 2 cups water to boil. Once water has come to a boil, mix in miso paste and stir until dissolved. Add ramen noodles and cook 2-3 minutes until noodles have separated and have become al dente. Put noodles in serving bowl, reserving broth in pan. Place spinach leaves in pan with miso broth for 30 seconds. Once wilted, put spinach with noodles and pour broth over both.
- Garnish with egg halves and green onion.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m a huge fan of Japanese food, I can eat it everyday if I could. This is an awesome (and super easy) recipe that I can see myself having an affair with!
Thanks Anne, and it can be doctored to your liking too with lots of different garnishes and heat.
Love the egg
The ramen looks delicious! About 5 years ago I moved to a tiny little town and haven’t been able to get anything like this, and now I’m inspired to make my own 
I swear, boiled eggs are my nemesis, but this one works for that semi-soft gooey version. That’s our deal too, we don’t have the ramen options here like we did in Los Angeles. So it’s homemade baby.
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Boiled egg with noodle has always been my fav and it looks delicious out here too
Thanks, I think the gooey-centered egg is the secret
Simple and beautiful dish. Great looking food photo.
Thanks for the compliment on the pic. Kept it simple for a simple dish.
This is a great modified instant ramen noodles recipes! Thanks!
That’s a fun idea…and it’s a bit healthier than just normal, boring noodles…especially with the addition of noodles, onions, and eggs. Very cool!
And you can totally add whatever you want to it to make it healthier. My daughter likes peas or edamame in there too.
Heidi it looks awesome. I started following you on instagram too. I love IG…just really got into it about 2 weeks ago and am digging it.
I also am so sad I missed Evo 11. I was in Mexico City with Penny de los Santos and her workshop but would have loved to go to the event you held w/ Helene and Evo 11. It looked fabulous!
Hoping there will be more, we’ll let you know.
That egg looks perfect! That’s how I always want mine to turn out, but it can be a little hit or miss.
Just follow the 4 minutes and make sure you use room temp eggs and add to already boiling water.
This is awesome! Don’t think I can ever eat a hard boiled egg again after this.
Wow – this looks delicious! I’ve had the same problems getting the eggs to come out like this, but having eaten Peko Peko’s food before, I can vouch for it! We did have eggs, but not ramen. He chose to serve us some top shelf udon instead!
Misoman recently posted..Ramen Underground in San Francisco
Udon is my FAVORITE noodle