Skip to main content

Slurping Up Ramen-y Goodness With Jay Weinstein

how to make ramen bowl
Ruthy Yang

Which new bourbon are we pumped about? What does it take to be a master journeyman? Where are we excited to travel to next? Each week, The Manual Podcast invites an expert, artisan, or craftsman for a roundtable discussion on what’s new, exciting, and unique in their trade.

For this week’s episode of The Manual Podcast, Greg and Sam sit down with chef-educator at the Institute for Culinary Education Jay Weinstein to talk about ramen.

A classic Japanese dish, ramen is a broth with wheat noodles and a variety of other ingredients like char siu pork, a soft-boiled egg, greens, and more. Depending on where you are, Weinstein explains, the broth will differ. What you get in Hokkaido is not what you will get in Tokyo, et cetera.

After an explanation of what ramen is (including a primer on why people pull the noodles out of the bowl when they are first served), Weinstein digs into the cultural phenomenon that is ramen. When did it get popular? Why? How has that popularity changed over time?

Not only does Weinstein explain ramen’s popularity and importance in pop culture, but he also looks at how to properly eat ramen (and some things to do to show the chef your appreciation for his or her work).

Lastly, Weinstein dishes on the best ways to prepare ramen at home if you’ve never done it before. His tips and tricks will set you down the right path to delicious ramen for sure.

Do you love ramen as much as we do? Do you have a favorite style? Do you make your own? Let us know. We want to hear from you. If you ever have a question or comment for The Manual Podcast folks, give us a shout at podcast@themanual.com — we’re always around! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter so you can join the discussion. Don’t forget, too, to rate and review the podcast where you download it.

Further Reading

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
How to drink whiskey: A beginner’s guide (with tips from a pro)
It's time to finally learn how to drink whiskey
Whiskey being poured into a glass

I've written about alcohol for almost 20 years, and in that time, I've learned a few things. One of the biggest things I've learned is that there's something special about whisk(e)y. Whether you enjoy a nuanced single malt Scotch whisky, a complex bourbon whiskey, a spicy rye whiskey, or any random whisk(e)y (only the U.S., Ireland, and Mexico use the 'e' in whiskey) from a far-flung locale, this barrel-aged spirit is for everyone.

There are countless styles and expressions to choose from, and there are a number of ways to imbibe them. This includes cracking a bottle open, pouring it into a glass, and drinking it neat. You can also sip it on the rocks with a splash of water to open up the aromas and flavor, or enjoy it mixed into your favorite whiskey-based cocktail. We aren't here to tell you how to drink whiskey. But we would love to help guide you on your boozy journey.

Read more
ButcherBox vs. Good Chop: Which meat delivery service is the better choice?
How to decide between these two popular meat boxes
Steak levels of doneness

I love steak. In fact, I would eat it every day if I could. But I despise shopping for it. If you hate shopping for meat as much as I do, you might've considered a meat delivery box such as ButcherBox or Good Chop. Meat delivery boxes are a great way to avoid running around to 3 different grocery stores to find the exact cut or quality of meat you want.

Nowadays, there are plenty of places to order meat online, making identifying the best delivery service challenging. ButcherBox is well-known in the world of grass-fed, grass-finished beef, yet many know Good Chop for its 100% customizable boxes. But where should you start? Below, I compare ButcherBox vs Good Chop to help you determine which box is better for you.
Selection of meats

Read more
The 22 best food documentaries of all time: The ultimate list
Looking for a hard-hitting documentary about food? Here's a list of the best options
For Grace documentary

When it comes to high-quality viewing, the culinary world has all of the ingredients for maximum entertainment. The pressure, the skill, the high stakes — it all makes for great television. Documentaries about food take this one extra step; often focusing on a sensational or troubling plot within the industry or how a chef or restaurant grew to prominence (or came crashing down).

Whether it's simply witnessing what it's like to be a Michelin-star talent in the world of cooking or digging into a scandal that plagued the entire wine realm, food docs offer a window into a pretty exclusive world. Whether you're a foodie or someone like me who doesn't care much about food at all, these movies will help you appreciate the artistry that goes into crafting a good meal. And, just as importantly, they can show you what happens when your best-laid plans go horribly awry. Food docs are great precisely because of how much they spotlight both the people and the food they make.

Read more