Ramen with fried pork

Ingredients:

• 6 cups lightly salted chicken broth
• 6 thick slices fresh ginger + 2 tsp minced ginger
• 4 cloves garlic (3 crushed, 1 minced)
• 2 green onions, cut into thirds + sliced ​​green onions for serving
• 3/4 cup dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 tbsp. lightly salted soy sauce
• 1 tbsp. l. Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry
• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 tsp. dark sesame oil
• 4 natural boneless pork loin cutlets (1 cm thick; approximately 110 g each)
• 2 large eggs
• 0.7 kg fresh ramen noodles
• 150 g of small spinach
• Shichimi togarashi (Japanese seasoning), for sprinkling

Preparation:

1. Combine chicken broth, 2.5 cups water, chopped ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 chopped green onions, shiitake mushrooms, soy sauce, and rice wine in a large saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until the mushrooms are tender and the broth is fragrant, 35 to 40 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, sesame oil, minced ginger, minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and some freshly ground black pepper. Prick the pork all over with a fork and place it in the bowl; turn to coat all sides. Let marinate at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
3. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat. Cook the pork chops until cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice the pork chops thinly across the grain.
4. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Carefully add the eggs and simmer for 6.5 minutes. Drain and run the eggs under cold running water. Then peel and cut them in half.
5. Place a pot of water on the stove. Add the noodles and cook according to the package directions, stirring frequently. Drain and divide the noodles among 4 bowls.
6. Strain the broth through a fine sieve into a separate saucepan. Add the spinach and stir until slightly wilted. Pour the broth and spinach into the noodle bowls and top with the pork, sliced ​​eggs, and green onions; sprinkle with shichimi togarashi seasoning.
   
   

   Note

   
   Fresh ramen noodles are available at Asian supermarkets. You can also use dry instant noodles—simply remove the seasoning packet and cook the noodles according to the package directions.