Description
Easy Japanese Tan Tan Men is a flavorful and comforting spicy ramen noodle soup featuring a rich sesame pork broth, tender noodles, and savory toppings like soft-boiled eggs and blanched greens. This recipe combines classic Japanese ingredients with the creamy texture of tahini and soy milk to create an ultimate, satisfying bowl perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles and Toppings
- 8 oz ramen noodles
- 2 soft-boiled eggs, halved
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Chili oil to taste
- Blanched bok choy or spinach for garnish
Broth and Pork Mixture
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon doubanjiang (spicy chili bean paste)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sake
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
- 2 tablespoons tahini or Chinese sesame paste
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Prepare the ramen noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the noodles well and set them aside while you prepare the broth.
- Brown the pork: Heat sesame oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the ground pork and cook, breaking it apart, until it is browned and cooked through.
- Add aromatics and spice: Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and doubanjiang chili bean paste. Cook for about one minute until fragrant and well combined with the pork.
- Simmer with seasonings: Pour in soy sauce, sake, and mirin. Stir and let the mixture simmer gently for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Prepare the broth base: In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, unsweetened soy milk, tahini (or Chinese sesame paste), rice vinegar, and sugar until smooth and well combined.
- Combine and simmer: Pour the broth mixture into the pot with the pork. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to blend and the broth to become creamy and aromatic.
- Assemble the bowls: Divide the cooked ramen noodles evenly into serving bowls. Ladle the hot pork and sesame broth over the noodles.
- Add toppings: Garnish each bowl with halved soft-boiled eggs, chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, a drizzle of chili oil to taste, and blanched bok choy or spinach for freshness and color.
- Serve hot: Enjoy your delicious bowl of Japanese Tan Tan Men immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Substitute ground chicken or turkey if you prefer a leaner meat option.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground pork with crumbled tofu and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Adjust the amount of chili oil to suit your spice preference.
- Soft-boiled eggs can be prepared in advance for convenience.
- Use high-quality doubanjiang for authentic flavor.
