Tare is a concentrated flavoring sauce that gives ramen its saltiness. But
tare can do much more than just deliver salt. It can also provide additional umami, sweetness, sourness or spiciness. The basic ingredients are: soy sauce, sake and/or mirin. In addition, anything from tahini (or Chinese sesame paste) to miso, chili flakes or vinegar can be added to perk up the tare. There are no hard-and-fast rules, and everything can be adjusted to taste. If you’re making