Katsu Curry Ramen
- Level: Intermediate
- Yield: 4 servings
- Total: 1 day 3 hr 15 min
- Active: 1 hr 15 min
Ingredients
Pork Broth:
2 pounds pork feet
2 pounds pork neck bones
2 pounds pork leg bones
2 chicken back bones
6 cloves garlic
One 3-inch piece ginger
1 leek (white and green parts), halved lengthwise, sliced crosswise and rinsed
1 onion, cut into thirds
1/4 cup bonito flakes
1/4 cup dried anchovy
1/4 sheet kombu
1 cup dried shiitake mushrooms, ground in a blender
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon fish powder
2 cubes curry bouillon
Pork Katsu:
1 gallon vegetable oil, for frying
1 pound pork loin, sliced into 4 portions
Salt
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups panko bread crumbs
Ramen Bowl:
1 ear of corn, kernels removed from cob
1 carrot, julienned
Vegetable oil, as needed
1/2 head of cabbage, chopped lengthwise
Four 6-ounce packages fresh ramen noodles
1 green onion, chopped
Directions
- For the pork broth: Place the pork feet and bones and chicken bones into a large stock pot and cover with cold water. Put on the lid and bring the pot to a boil. After 10 minutes, turn off the burner and strain the bones. Wash the bones under cold water to remove all the scum. Add the cleaned bones back into a clean stock pot, add water and bring to a boil.
- Char the garlic, ginger, leek and onion in a skillet until they are almost burnt. Set aside. Place the bonito flakes, dried anchovy and kombu in a spice pack and securely tie the end. Put the ground mushroom into a separate spice pack and securely tie the end.
- Place the charred vegetables, and both spice packs into the pot with the bones. Bring the pot to a boil and boil for 6 hours. Remove the dried anchovy spice pack from the pot. Boil for another 12 hours, then add the salt, sugar and fish powder. Let the broth simmer on low heat for another 6 hours.
- To create the curry broth, take 64 ounces (2 quarts) of pork broth and add the curry bouillon. Bring to a boil and whisk the broth.
- For the pork katsu: Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 350 degrees F.
- Tenderize the pork loin using the flat end of a meat mallet and season with salt. Beat the egg and 1 tablespoon water to create an egg wash. Take the pork loin and dredge it in the flour, then the egg wash, then the bread crumbs. Fry the pork loin until golden brown, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove and let rest for 1 to 2 minutes before cutting.
- For the ramen bowl: Saute the corn and carrots in a pan with a little oil and set aside. Then saute the cabbage with a little oil.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Drop the fresh ramen into the boiling water. Cook for 90 seconds, or to your desired firmness, then drain.
- Pour the hot curry broth into 4 bowls and add the cooked ramen. Top with the cabbage and place the fried pork katsu on top. Add the corn and carrot and finish with the chopped green onions.