Tori Paitan Chicken White Broth Ramen
Japan (Tokyo pioneered tori paitan ramen genre; widespread adoption 2010s nationwide)
Tori paitan (鶏白湯) is the chicken counterpart to tonkotsu — a thick, opaque, intensely rich white broth made by boiling chicken carcasses and feet at a rolling boil for 3–6 hours to emulsify the collagen, bone marrow, and fat into a cream-coloured, velvety consistency. The technique mirrors tonkotsu in its use of vigorous boiling as the emulsification mechanism — a gentle simmer would produce clear chicken stock, while continuous turbulent heat creates the characteristic white opacity through collagen breakdown and fat dispersion. Premium tori paitan uses whole chickens including heads and feet for maximum collagen, often supplemented with chicken wings for added gelatin. The resulting broth is seasoned with shio (salt) tare or light soy, and paired with straight medium-gauge noodles. Regional variant hakata tori paitan emphasises extreme richness; Tokyo-style tori paitan often incorporates gyokai (dried fish/shellfish) elements alongside the chicken base. Specialty shops in Tokyo's ramen scene (particularly Siberia ramen lineage) pioneered this style. Tori paitan is simultaneously more approachable for diners avoiding pork and more technically demanding in broth construction than standard clear chicken ramen.