Miso and Seaweed Ramen With Egg

This weeknight ramen features a soothing broth that comes together in just 30 minutes with the help of rich seaweed and sweet-salty miso. Dried wakame is a dark green, edible seaweed with a delicately sweet flavor; once cooked, it softens and transforms into a tender, smooth and silky texture. Caramelizing the miso with earthy shiitake mushrooms adds extra depth and body to the meatless broth. A nutty, scallion-flecked sesame-ginger sauce adds brightness and a fresh crunch to the cozy soup.

Ingredients

• 0.25 cup neutral oil, such as safflower or canola
• 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and thinly sliced
• 0.75 cup finely chopped scallions, plus more for garnish
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 0.3333333333333333 cup white miso
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 0.25 cup dried ready-cut wakame seaweed
• 1 pound fresh ramen noodles (see Tip)
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

Steps

1. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat 2 tablespoons of neutral oil over medium. Add mushrooms and ¼ cup of the scallions, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add miso and soy sauce, and cook over medium-low, stirring constantly, until the mushrooms have absorbed the liquid and the miso is caramelized and deep golden brown, about 2 minutes.
2. Add 8 cups of water and the seaweed, and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the miso and lift up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Partly cover, reduce heat to medium and simmer until mushrooms and seaweed are tender and broth is slightly reduced, about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, and cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and immediately divide among 4 bowls.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low and crack the eggs into the pot with the broth, leaving some space in between the eggs. Cover and poach until whites are just set and yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes.
5. As the eggs cook, combine the remaining ½ cup scallions, remaining 2 tablespoons neutral oil, sesame oil, sesame seeds and ginger in a small bowl, and season with salt. Mix well.
6. Divide the broth and eggs among the bowls. Drizzle each with some of the sesame-ginger sauce, and serve warm.