RECIPE: Dorayaki, Japanese pancake with Red Bean Filling

Dorayaki

Dorayaki is a Japanese sweet pancake with red bean paste filling. You can find them as snacks at Japanese grocery stores. They are very easy to make, so I decided to make a big batch today.

RECIPE: Homemade Wheat Noodle

Noodle batches

I wanted to experiment with whole wheat flour to make a more chewy texture noodle this time, so I decided to use a whole wheat flour with 16% fiber.

Pumpkin Tantanmen and Tsukemen at Ramen Shop, Oakland USA

Pumpkin Tantanmen

Tsukemen with Heavy Tonkotsu Dipping Broth

Pumpkin Tantanmen is a pretty neat creation from Ramen Shop. Tantanmen is a Japanese version of the Chinese Sichuan's Dandanmian. Tantanmen is usually consisted of stir fried ground pork with sesame paste, chili oil, Tobanjan(Chinese hot bean paste), and chicken stock. Signature toppings are Bok Choy, green onions, ground pork, and sesame seeds. The pumpkin version of Tantanmen tonight at Ramen Shop has a nice taste with the addition of pumpkin. Since an original broth was alreadt very heavy, pumpkin blends in very well. (Just like Pumpkin Curry) Cilantro, white parts of green onions, and a little bit of Chinese Pickled Vegetables really complete the dish. 

Tsukemen appears to be new thing at Ramen Shop, so I decided to try out their version of Tsukemen as well. I personally am a little disappointed with the Tsukemen. The noodle is too thick and because it is al dente and already in room temperature, it is harder to absorb the broth, leaving part of the noodle tasteless.