Abura Soba (油そば) is a type of ramen without broth, also known as "noodle with oil." It’s a popular dish in Japan (日本), loved for its simplicity and rich flavor. The noodles are mixed with a savory sauce and topped with roasted pork (チャーシュー), a poached egg (ポーチドエッグ), chives (ねぎ), and a little chili (唐辛子) for a spicy kick. This dish can be paired with a refreshing Japanese green tea (緑茶) or ramune soda (ラムネ) for the perfect meal.

Ingredients:

For the Sauce (タレ):

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (醤油)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (米酢)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil (ごま油)
• 1 tablespoon mirin (みりん)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (砂糖)
• 1 tablespoon garlic-infused oil (ニンニクオイル) (optional)

For the Noodles (ラーメン):

• 400 g ramen noodles (ラーメン) or soba noodles (蕎麦) (medium thickness)

For the Roasted Pork (チャーシュー):

• 300 g pork belly (豚バラ肉)
• 50 ml soy sauce (醤油)
• 30 ml mirin (みりん)
• 30 ml sake (酒)
• 1 tablespoon sugar (砂糖)
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed (にんにく)
• 1 piece of ginger (生姜) (5 cm), sliced

For the Poached Eggs (ポーチドエッグ):

• 4 eggs
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar (白酢) (for poaching the eggs)

For the Toppings (トッピング):

• Chives (ねぎ): Finely chopped
• Chili (唐辛子): Chopped or in flakes
• Nori (海苔): Dried seaweed, cut into thin strips (optional)
• Sesame seeds (ごま): For garnish

Preparation:

1. Prepare the Roasted Pork (チャーシュー):

• Sear the meat (焼き付け): Brown the pork belly on all sides in a hot pan.
• Braise (煮込む): In a pot, mix soy sauce (醤油), mirin (みりん), sake (酒), sugar (砂糖), garlic (にんにく), and ginger (生姜). Add the pork belly and simmer on low heat for 1 to 2 hours, turning the meat occasionally until tender.
• Cool and Slice (冷ます・切る): Remove the pork from the sauce, let it cool slightly, then slice it thinly.

2. Prepare the Poached Eggs (ポーチドエッグ):

• Poach the eggs (卵を茹でる): Heat water in a pot with a tablespoon of white vinegar (白酢). Crack each egg into a small cup and gently slide it into the simmering water. Poach for 3 to 4 minutes until the whites are set but the yolk remains runny.
• Remove and Drain (取り出す・水気を切る): Carefully remove the poached eggs with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels.

3. Prepare the Sauce (タレを作る):

• Mix the ingredients (調味料を混ぜる): In a bowl, combine soy sauce (醤油), rice vinegar (米酢), sesame oil (ごま油), mirin (みりん), and sugar (砂糖). Add garlic-infused oil (ニンニクオイル) for extra flavor if desired.
• Heat the sauce (タレを温める): Heat the sauce lightly in a small pot to dissolve the sugar and mix thoroughly.

4. Prepare the Noodles (麺を茹でる):

• Cook the noodles (ラーメンを茹でる): Cook the ramen noodles (ラーメン) or soba noodles (蕎麦) according to package instructions. Drain well and place them in a large bowl.

5. Assemble the Abura Soba (油そばを組み立てる):

• Mix the noodles with the sauce (麺とタレを混ぜる): Pour the hot sauce over the cooked noodles and mix well to coat each strand of noodle.
• Add the Toppings (トッピングを加える): Place the sliced roasted pork (チャーシュー) on top of the noodles, add a poached egg (ポーチドエッグ) in the center, then sprinkle with chopped chives (ねぎ), chili flakes (唐辛子), and sesame seeds (ごま). Optionally, add some strips of nori (海苔).

Serve (盛り付け):

Serve immediately, mixing the poached egg (ポーチドエッグ) into the noodles to create a rich, creamy texture. Enjoy the aroma and intense flavors of this simple yet delicious dish.

Recommended Beverages (おすすめの飲み物):

• Japanese Green Tea (緑茶): A light, refreshing tea to pair with the Abura Soba.
• Ramune Soda (ラムネ): A classic Japanese soda that adds a sweet and fizzy touch.

Conclusion (結論):

Abura Soba (油そば) is the perfect choice for a quick and flavorful meal, offering a beautiful combination of textures (食感) and flavors (味) with tender roasted pork (チャーシュー), a creamy poached egg (ポーチドエッグ), and a spicy kick from chili (唐辛子). This dish is a great way to explore a different side of Japanese ramen (ラーメン). いただきます (Itadakimasu)—Enjoy your meal!