Following the season of rich holiday dinners, it’s refreshing to launch into the new year with bright and steamy Asian soups. Curries, pho and ramen are examples of comforting Asian bowl foods. Swirling with slurpy noodles and heady spices, they provide craveable dinners that jolt the senses and wake the palate from any lingering food comas.

Ramen is a noodle soup that originated in China and was imported to Japan, where it is a popular dish. This homemade version brims with wilted greens and mushrooms on a slick of noodles, swimming in a gingery, garlic-infused broth. It’s not precisely authentic, but that is the point. With a few key staples, such as soy sauce, ginger and mirin, you can create a satisfying rendition in your kitchen that will hit all the right notes to satisfy a winter craving — without putting on your snow boots.

Use this recipe as a template. Other vegetables, such as carrots, kale and bok choy, can be added. Chicken or tofu can be substituted for the pork: Simply follow the recipe for the marinade and switch out the protein. Then roast or pan-fry the chicken or tofu before adding to the soup.

Lynda Balslev is a Marin cookbook author, food and travel writer and recipe developer. Learn more at TasteFoodBlog.com.