Menma (Seasoned Bamboo Shoots) for Ramen

Menma (Seasoned Bamboo Shoots) is a classic Japanese ramen topping but can also be enjoyed as a snack. Slightly crunchy and extremely flavorful. This is Part 3 of the Ramen At Home series for Traditional Shoyu Ramen.

Menma is a condiment made from dried and fermented bamboo shoots. The dried bamboo shoots are reconstituted then seasoned in dashi. Menma is famously used as a topping for ramen, but can also be served as a snack or appetizer. They are slightly crunchy and oh so flavorful!

This Menma recipe is from the “Ramen at Home” cookbook by Brian MacDuckston of ramenadventures.com, and Part Three of a six-part series featuring his Traditional Shoyu Ramen recipe.

Here are the links to the rest of the posts in this series:

• Shoyu Tare
• Chicken Chashu
• Half-Boiled Ajitama (Seasoned Eggs)
• Basic Clear Chicken Soup
• TRADITIONAL SHOYU RAMEN

How to Make Menma (Seasoned Bamboo Shoots)

You’ll find menma bamboo shoots dried or preserved in liquid in bags, jars or cans. Regular canned sliced bamboo shoots will also work. If you are using dried menma, you’ll need to first soak them in water to reconstitute them. Regardless of the type of menma you use, be sure to give it a good rinse after taking it out of the package or can.

Combine 1/2 a cup of bamboo shoots, 2 cups of water, 1/2 cup of seasoning liquid from Chicken Chashu and 1/4 cup mirin in a medium saucepan.

If you are making this recipe independently and do not have the seasoning liquid from the Chicken Chashu, you can use teriyaki sauce.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Add a handful of bonito flakes, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25 minutes.

Remove from the heat and let cool. Transfer the menma and its soaking liquid to an airtight container and refrigerate overnight before using.

The menma with the liquid can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Use the menma as a topping for ramen or enjoy as a snack.

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Menma (Seasoned Bamboo Shoots) for Ramen

Char Ferrara

Menma (Seasoned Bamboo Shoots) is a classic Japanese ramen topping but can also be enjoyed as a snack. Slightly crunchy and extremely flavorful. 

4.39 from 34 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 6 bowls of ramen

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 1/2 cup bamboo shoots (unseasoned menma)
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup seasoning liquid from Chicken Chashu or teriyaki sauce
• 1/4 cup mirin
• 1 handful bonito flakes katsuobushi

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

 

• Combine the menma, water, chashu seasoning liquid and mirin in a medium saucepan.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, add the bonito flakes, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and let cool. Transfer the menma and its seasoning liquid into an airtight container and refrigerate overnight before using.
• Store in the container with the liquid in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Nutrition

Calories: 18kcalCarbohydrates: 4gSodium: 126mgSugar: 2g

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