Ramen noodles from scratch:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons kansui (alkaline water) or a substitute mixture of 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Additional flour for dusting

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Mix well.
2. Gradually add the kansui or the baking soda-water mixture to the flour. Use chopsticks or a fork to mix the ingredients until they come together.
3. Once the dough starts to form, use your hands to knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough feels dry, you can add a little water, a teaspoon at a time. If it's too wet, add a little more flour.
4. Shape the dough into a ball and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rest for about 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the gluten to relax.
5. After the resting period, lightly dust your work surface and rolling pin with flour. Take the dough and roll it out into a thin sheet, about 1/8 inch thick. If the dough starts to stick, dust it with more flour.
6. Once you have rolled out the dough, fold it in half lengthwise and then in half again. Using a sharp knife or a pasta machine, cut the folded dough into thin noodle strips of your desired thickness.
7. Carefully unfold the cut noodles and separate them. Lightly dust them with flour to prevent sticking.
8. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Gently drop the fresh ramen noodles into the boiling water.
9. Cook the noodles for about 2-3 minutes or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Fresh noodles cook much faster than dried noodles, so keep a close eye on them.
10. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them with cold water to remove excess starch and stop the cooking process.
11. Your homemade ramen noodles are now ready to be used in your favorite ramen soup recipe!

Note: If you don't plan to use the noodles immediately, you can lightly toss them with flour to prevent sticking and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two.

Enjoy your freshly made ramen noodles and have fun incorporating them into delicious ramen dishes!

Tonkotsu Ramen

Ingredients:

For the Tonkotsu Broth:

• 2 pounds pork bones (such as trotters, neck bones, or ribs)
• 1 onion, quartered
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2-inch piece of ginger, sliced
• 2 stalks green onions, cut into large pieces
• 2 dried shiitake mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 8 cups water
• 1 cup chicken broth (optional, for added flavor)
• Salt, to taste

For the Ramen Bowl:

• 4 portions of ramen noodles, cooked according to package instructions
• Sliced chashu pork or roasted pork belly
• Soft-boiled eggs, halved
• Sliced bamboo shoots (menma)
• Sliced green onions
• Nori seaweed sheets, sliced into strips
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Chili oil or Sriracha sauce (optional)

Instructions:

1. Start by preparing the Tonkotsu Broth. In a large pot, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork bones and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, green onions, and dried shiitake mushrooms to the pot. Sauté for a few minutes until fragrant.
3. Pour in the water and chicken broth (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for at least 6-8 hours, or up to 12 hours if possible. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during cooking.
4. After simmering, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean pot or bowl. Discard the solids.
5. Return the strained broth to the stove and bring it to a simmer. Continue simmering for another 30 minutes to further concentrate the flavors. Season with salt to taste.
6. To assemble the Ramen Bowls, divide the cooked ramen noodles among serving bowls. Ladle the hot Tonkotsu Broth over the noodles, ensuring they are well covered.
7. Arrange the sliced chashu pork or roasted pork belly, soft-boiled eggs, sliced bamboo shoots, sliced green onions, and nori seaweed strips on top of the noodles and broth.
8. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the bowls and drizzle with chili oil or Sriracha sauce if desired.
9. Serve the Tonkotsu Ramen hot and enjoy!

Feel free to adjust the toppings and seasonings according to your preference. Tonkotsu Ramen is a customizable dish, so you can also add other ingredients like corn, bean sprouts, or mushrooms. Enjoy your homemade Tonkotsu Ramen!