Homemade Spicy Tantanmen Ramen

Ingredients

• 4 cups (950ml) chicken or vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons miso paste 2 tablespoons miso paste
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame paste 2 tablespoons sesame paste
• 1 tablespoon chili paste 1 tablespoon chili paste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 lb (450g) ground pork or chicken 1 lb (450g) ground pork or chicken
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 8 oz (225g) ramen noodles 8 oz (225g) ramen noodles
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced 4 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup bean sprouts 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup bamboo shoots 1/2 cup bamboo shoots
• 4 soft-boiled eggs 4 soft-boiled eggs
• Sesame seeds, for garnish Sesame seeds, for garnish
• Nori sheets, for garnish Nori sheets, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 550 kcal / 2300 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 5g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a simmer over medium heat.
2. 2.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the miso paste, soy sauce, sesame paste, and chili paste until well combined. Add the mixture to the simmering broth and stir until fully incorporated.
3. 3.
   In a separate pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the ground pork or chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon.
4. 4.
   Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan with the meat and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
5. 5.
   Transfer the meat mixture to the pot with the broth and stir well. Allow the broth to simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. 6.
   While the broth is simmering, cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
7. 7.
   To serve, divide the cooked noodles among four bowls. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles, making sure to distribute the meat evenly. Top each bowl with green onions, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, a soft-boiled egg, sesame seeds, and nori sheets.
8. 8.
   Serve the Spicy Tantanmen Ramen immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ramen noodles — Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, but make sure to slightly undercook them as they will continue to cook in the hot broth.
• Soft-boiled eggs — To achieve the perfect soft-boiled eggs, bring a pot of water to a boil, gently add the eggs, and cook for exactly 6 minutes. Then, transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process before peeling.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add a drizzle of chili oil or sprinkle of red pepper flakes on top of the ramen.
• Customize your toppings by adding sliced mushrooms, corn kernels, or shredded cabbage.
• If you prefer a thicker broth, you can add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) to the simmering broth and stir until thickened.
• Adjust the spiciness of the dish by increasing or decreasing the amount of chili paste according to your preference.
• Leftover broth can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Spicy Tantanmen Ramen in deep bowls to showcase the vibrant colors and layers of flavors. Provide chopsticks and spoons for your guests to enjoy the noodles and broth. Encourage them to mix the toppings into the ramen for a well-rounded experience.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the toppings in an organized manner on top of the ramen. Sprinkle some sesame seeds and nori sheets on the side for an added visual appeal. Serve the ramen with a side of pickled ginger or kimchi for a refreshing palate cleanser.