Ramen. The slurp-worthy superstar of the noodle world. But what's the secret to that soul-warming flavour? While the broth, noodles, and toppings all play a significant role, one key ingredient that is often overlooked is tare – because, well, what the heck is tare?
Let’s spill the (soy)beans on this not-so-secret ingredient, why it’s the MVP of ramen, and how you can create your own culinary masterpiece at home.
What the Heck Is Tare?
Tare (say it with us: tah-reh) is the flavor bomb behind your favorite ramen broth. In Japanese, the term tare translates to “sauce” or “dipping sauce” and is typically made from a blend of soy sauce, miso, sake, mirin, and other seasonings to give your ramen that extra oomph!
Why Tare Is the True Ramen MVP
Tare isn’t just an ingredient—it’s the personality of your ramen. Bones and veggies simmer in the broth for hours to build that umami depth, but tare steps in to define the vibe: savoury, salty, bold, or delicate. By adjusting the tare amount or type, it can transform the same base broth into wildly different flavor profiles.
The Tantalizing Tare Trio
Ramen lovers, meet the three big players in the tare game:
- Shoyu Tare (Soy Sauce Base): The Beyoncé of tare. Shoyu tare, made primarily from soy sauce, is salty, savoury, and a little sweet. It’s the life of the ramen party, creating a broth that’s clear, brown, and oh-so-balanced. Crowd-pleaser? Absolutely.
- Shio Tare (Salt Base): The minimalist of the bunch. Shio tare keeps things lighter with a salt-forward flavour, often backed by dried seafood and seaweed for that extra umami kick. Expect a clear, pale broth and a clean, delicate taste. It’s basically the ramen version of “less is more.”
- Miso Tare (Fermented Soybean Paste Base): The rebel. Miso tare brings bold, nutty, and slightly sweet vibes to the table. Its cloudy, hearty broth is the perfect winter hug in a bowl. If you like your ramen bold, this one’s for you!
DIY Tare: Because You’re Fancy Like That
Want to give it a shot at home? Here’s how to whip up a basic shoyu tare that'll make you feel like a ramen connoisseur!
You’ll Need:
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup sake
- 1/2 cup mirin
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 piece kombu (dried kelp)
- 1 cup water
How to Make It:
- Combine soy sauce, sake, mirin, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
- Toss in that kombu and let it soak for 30 minutes (kombu is the secret weapon here).
- Heat the saucepan over medium until it starts to simmer.
- Say goodbye to the kombu before things get too hot (it’s done its job).
- Simmer for 10–15 minutes to let the flavors mingle.
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Cool it down, strain if needed, and refrigerate until you're ready to use.
Don’t want to make your own tare? No worries! Try out Crafty Ramen’s Ramen Meal Kits, which includes all the ingredients needed to make a bowl of their shoyu or miso ramen at home, that's right, broth, noodles, toppings AND tare included!
The Tare Takeaway
Tare isn’t just a seasoning; it’s the heart and soul of ramen, bringing flavour harmony to every slurp. Whether you’re all about the savoury depth of shoyu, the refined simplicity of shio, or the bold kick of miso, tare is the unsung hero you’ll never overlook again.
So next time you’re lost in the glorious chaos of ramen, give a little nod to the tare. It’s the backstage hero making all the delicious drama possible. Ready to create your own masterpiece? Go on, channel your inner ramen rockstar—tare’s got your back. 🍜