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Meat, East Asian

Pork tantanmen ramen

Pork tantanmen is a bowl of Japanese noodles in a creamy sesame broth spiked with chili paste, serving 4. It takes 35 minutes, rates as easy, and costs about €3.00 per person. The key is whisking the sesame paste into the hot broth off the boil, so it stays silky instead of splitting.

Tonight, a big bowl of Japanese noodles, tantanmen style, with a creamy sesame broth, spicy pork, and chili.

Pork tantanmen ramen
Total time
35 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.00
Calories per person
710 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall

Tantanmen is ramen with a spicy, creamy twist. The chicken broth gets rounded out with sesame paste and miso, then heats up with chili paste, while ground pork caramelizes in soy sauce for a browned, savory edge. The result feels richer and bolder than a classic ramen bowl.

It's the kind of dish you reach for on a cold fall or winter evening when you want something warming without spending all night in the kitchen. The whole thing comes together in 35 minutes, easy enough for a weeknight. Because of the chili, it's not the easiest bowl to sell to younger kids, so keep this one for the adults or dial back the heat if the whole family is eating.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • ramen noodles 320 g
  • chicken brothoften in the pantry 1 l
  • sesame paste 3 tbsp
  • chili paste 2 tbsp
  • soy sauceoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • miso paste 1 tbsp
  • oiloften in the pantry 1 tbsp

Butcher

  • ground pork 300 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • baby bok choy 3
  • garlic 2 cloves
  • grated fresh ginger 1 tsp
  • scallions 3

Allergens Gluten, Soy, Sesame

The step by step recipe

  1. Brown the ground pork in the oil with the garlic, ginger, and half the chili paste. 8 min

    Let the meat get crispy, it adds texture to the creamy broth.

  2. Add 1 tbsp soy sauce, let it caramelize for a minute, then set aside. 1 min

    The soy caramelizes on the pork and gives it its deep color.

  3. Heat the broth with the sesame paste, miso, remaining soy sauce, and remaining chili paste, whisking as you go. 8 min

    Don't let it boil once the miso is in, it loses its flavor.

  4. Cook the noodles in a pot of boiling water, adding the bok choy for the last 2 minutes. 6 min

    Drain well, leftover cooking water would dilute the broth.

  5. Divide the noodles among bowls, ladle in the broth, and top with pork, bok choy, and scallions.

    Serve piping hot, with chili oil on the side for anyone who wants extra heat.

Our tips to get it right

  • Taste the broth before serving and adjust the chili, chili pastes vary a lot in strength from one brand to another.
  • Prep all your ingredients before you start cooking, the noodles and broth finish at almost the same time.
  • If the sesame paste has separated in the jar, loosen it with a splash of hot broth before whisking it in, it will blend without lumps.

The variations

  • Swap the ground pork for ground chicken for a milder flavor, keeping the same cooking time.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the pork with sliced mushrooms browned the same way and use vegetable broth instead.
  • For a quicker version, use plain instant noodles instead of fresh ramen noodles, they cook in 3 minutes.

What to serve it with

  • A halved marinated egg
  • Warm salted edamame
  • Hot green tea

Storage

Store the broth and pork separately from the cooked noodles in sealed containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat the broth gently without boiling, so the miso and sesame keep their flavor. This dish doesn't freeze well, the noodles get too soft once thawed.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the broth ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the broth up to the miso step the day before and keep it in the fridge. Reheat it gently when you're ready to serve and stir in the miso at that point to keep its flavor.

What's the difference between tantanmen and classic ramen?

Tantanmen stands out for its creamy sesame broth and spicy kick, while classic ramen tends to be lighter and milder. The soy caramelized ground pork is also a signature of tantanmen.

Can you substitute the sesame paste?

In a pinch, unsweetened peanut butter can stand in for it, the flavor will differ but the broth will still turn out creamy. Avoid very bitter tahini, it would throw off the balance of the dish.

How do you tone this down for kids?

Cut the chili paste in half, or leave it out entirely and serve it on the side so everyone can add their own amount. The broth stays creamy and flavorful even without the heat.

How long does it take to make a bowl of pork tantanmen?

Count 35 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a bowl of pork tantanmen?

About 710 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a bowl of pork tantanmen cost?

About €3.00 per serving, or €12.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, soy, sesame. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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