Homemade Menma

I'd have to say one of my favorite ramen noodle condiment is menma. Menma is a Japanese condiment made out of dried bamboo shoots, often served with soup noodles. This is one item I cannot find in the Asian section of the grocery store. Even the Chinese stores carry something close, but it's usually seasoned with chili oil, so I have to get this at a Japanese store. My last visit to my parents house they gave me a bag full of unseasoned sliced bamboo shoots and told me I should try making menma. They were easier to make than I thought and came out quite tasty.

Here is an English recipe with general directions. I used a recipe from a Japanese site, here's the link with the step-by-step photos, and my translation:

Homemade Menma

300 grams bamboo shoots

1 T. sesame oil

500 cc water

1 T. dried chinese stock

1/2 T. sugar (to taste)

pinch salt (to taste)

1/2 T. soy sauce (to taste)

Slice the bamboo shoots into thin strips. (If using shoots from a can, boil in hot water for approx. 2 minutes first to get rid of the smell.) Saute in sesame oil, once coated with oil add the water, stock, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer until half of the liquid has evaporated. Add soy sauce and cook till most of the liquid is gone. (I added a little more sesame oil at the end for that added flavor.)

Not only is this good on top of noodles, it's good in fried rice and makes a good beer snack.