Description
This Easy Japanese Tan Tan Men recipe offers a rich, spicy, and creamy ramen bowl featuring ground pork and a savory broth made with miso, tahini, and chili oil. Perfect for a quick and comforting main course, it combines authentic flavors with simple stovetop preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 packs ramen noodles (fresh or instant, seasoning discarded)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon miso paste
- 1 tablespoon chili oil (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tahini or Chinese sesame paste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup unsweetened soy or oat milk (or regular milk)
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 green onion, sliced
- 1 soft-boiled egg, halved
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Blanched bok choy or spinach (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pork: In a large skillet or pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the ground pork and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks to ensure even browning.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the browned pork, and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the soy sauce, miso paste, and rice vinegar into the pork mixture, mixing well to combine all flavors evenly.
- Prepare Broth: In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, milk, tahini, and chili oil until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour the broth mixture into the skillet with the pork. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Cook Noodles: While the broth simmers, prepare the ramen noodles according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain well.
- Assemble Bowls: Divide the drained noodles between serving bowls. Ladle the hot broth and pork mixture over the noodles evenly.
- Add Garnishes: Top each bowl with sliced green onions, a halved soft-boiled egg, toasted sesame seeds, and optional blanched bok choy or spinach for extra color and nutrition.
- Serve: Serve the bowls immediately while hot for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- Adjust the chili oil quantity based on your desired spice level.
- For a twist, substitute tahini with peanut butter to change the flavor profile slightly.
- Use fresh ramen noodles if available for a more authentic texture and taste.
- Soft-boiled eggs can be cooked in advance and refrigerated to save time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
