In this video, watch as the chef pours flaming ramen into the customer’s bowl.
Whatever flame-related trickery I’ve seen with regard to cuisine involves alcohol, which burns with a soft, delicate flame. This shit is burning as it falls from the pot all the way into the customer’s bowl, red-hot flames abounding.
How’s he doing this? Based on the splattering, I think it has something to do with water and grease, but from where I sit that risks maiming the customer.
It’s overheated oil that’s burst into flames. The dish is negi (green onion) ramen discussed here: https://www.urbandaddy.com/articles/41295/this-japanese-ramen-joint-sets-your-dinner-really-on-fire I’ve seen it done (not sure if the same restaurant) on a Japanese TV show.
Chinese sizzling fish is similar except I’ve never seen the oil set on fire. A steamed fish is covered with (usually) sliced ginger, Chinese parsley and soy sauce, then sizzling hot oil is poured over.
This video shows the prep and detailed rules for Negi Ramen: https://youtu.be/nlHXMZOklFQ?t=461
It looks like basically a showy, somewhat controlled, reverse version of throwing water on a grease fire. The chef pours the really hot, flaming oil on the soup, which boils and flings little bits of flaming oil into the air for a big show, but doesn’t actually set the soup on fire, etc…
Agreed, The flames are just for show. The oil does flash fry the green onions and garlic though.
BTW, as I’m sure you know. flaming oil on water, okay as only the surface oil is flaming and quickly subsides. Water on flaming oil, explosive reaction as the water instantly turns to steam. One is the not reverse of the other.
Dang. I need some Ramen now!
Also notice this is being done under a high throughput vent hood which is sucking all the fire and smoke up and away from the customers.
Plus the customers are leaning back so hard they probably dented the wall.
One should also note that the ramen was already in the bowl. The only thing being poured was the flaming hot oil.