pork belly ramen recipe

This pork belly ramen recipe combines the unctuousness of braised pork belly with the comforting warmth of a rich tonkotsu broth, finished with springy noodles and a soft-boiled egg. It’s a dish that will leave you craving for more. If you’re looking for a recipe that will become a staple in your household, then this pork belly ramen recipe is the perfect place to start.

Ramen, a popular Japanese noodle soup, has gained worldwide recognition for its rich flavors and variety of toppings. The key to a great ramen lies in its broth, which can be made from pork, chicken, or a combination of the two. In this recipe, we focus on a tonkotsu broth, which is made by simmering pork bones for an extended period. The result is a creamy, velvety broth that coats your tongue and warms your belly. Making this pork belly ramen at home is surprisingly straightforward once you know the key steps.

The pork belly, braised in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, and sugar, adds an unctuous texture to the dish. The soft-boiled egg, marinated in a sweet soy sauce mixture, adds depth and creaminess. To complete the dish, we add sliced scallions and pickled ginger for a burst of freshness and acidity. The pork belly ramen works well for weeknight cooking when time is limited.

Related Recipes

recipes using canned beef

30 mins Beginner

french roast recipe

3 hrs 30 mins Intermediate

fresh milled flour bread recipe

2 hrs 55 mins Beginner

pork and pasta recipes

50 mins Beginner

Yellow Curry Vegan Paste Recipe

50 mins Intermediate

recipes using corn flour

45 mins Beginner

Healthy Crab Meat Recipes for Weight Loss

35 mins Beginner

Sourdough Discard Bagels Recipe

1 hr 45 mins Intermediate

3 Cheese Mac and Cheese Recipe

35 mins Beginner

Why You’ll Love These Pork Belly Ramen

• Rich and creamy tonkotsu broth made with pork bones
• Tender and unctuous pork belly braised in a sweet soy sauce mixture
• Springy noodles that hold their texture even after cooking
• A soft-boiled egg that adds creaminess and depth to the dish

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 pounds pork belly, skin removed
• 4 cups pork bones
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sake
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 4 ounces ramen noodles
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sake
• 1/4 cup mirin
• Sliced scallions and pickled ginger for garnish

Ingredient Substitutions

Pork belly: You can substitute pork belly with pork shoulder or pork butt, but keep in mind that the cooking time will be longer. Pork belly has a higher fat content, which makes it tender and unctuous. If you use pork shoulder or butt, you may need to add more fat to the dish to achieve the same texture. Storing leftover pork belly ramen correctly keeps it tasting good for days.

Tonkotsu broth: If you don’t have pork bones, you can use chicken bones as a substitute. However, keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different. Chicken bones will give you a lighter, more delicate broth, while pork bones will give you a richer, more unctuous broth.

Ramen noodles: You can substitute ramen noodles with soba noodles or udon noodles. However, keep in mind that the texture and flavor will be slightly different. Soba noodles have a nuttier flavor and a firmer texture, while udon noodles are thicker and chewier.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until it’s translucent and starting to caramelize.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
3. Add the pork bones, chicken broth, water, soy sauce, sake, sugar, and ground white pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 4 hours, or until the broth is rich and creamy.
4. While the broth is cooking, braise the pork belly in a separate pot. Heat the oil over medium heat, then add the pork belly and cook until it’s browned on all sides.
5. Add the soy sauce, sake, and sugar to the pot, then cover it with a lid and transfer it to the oven. Braise the pork belly for 2 hours, or until it’s tender and easily shreds with a fork.
6. Cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
7. Assemble the dish by placing the cooked noodles in a bowl, then adding slices of pork belly, a soft-boiled egg, and a ladle of hot tonkotsu broth.

Pro Tips

To achieve a rich and creamy tonkotsu broth, it’s essential to simmer the pork bones for an extended period. This will help to extract the collagen and gelatin from the bones, which will give the broth its characteristic texture. For more information on how to make a great tonkotsu broth, visit tonkotsu broth recipes.

When cooking the pork belly, make sure to brown it on all sides before braising it. This will help to create a crispy exterior and a tender interior.

To add more flavor to the dish, you can add pork chops or pork and pasta to the broth.

For a spicy kick, you can add red pepper flakes to the broth.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One common mistake when making tonkotsu broth is not simmering the bones for a long enough period. This will result in a broth that’s not rich and creamy.

Another mistake is not browning the pork belly before braising it. This will result in a pork belly that’s not tender and flavorful.

Avoid overcooking the ramen noodles, as this will make them mushy and unappetizing.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the dish with a side of eggs in purgatory or garlic knots for a filling and satisfying meal.

For a lighter option, you can serve the dish with a side of strawberry mojito or hot toddy.

Storage and Reheating

The dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave the broth and noodles until hot, then assemble the dish as instructed.

The pork belly can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply microwave the pork belly until hot, then slice and serve.

Recipe Variations

Spicy Version

Add red pepper flakes to the broth for a spicy kick.

Vegan Version

Replace the pork belly with tofu and use a vegetable broth instead of tonkotsu broth.

Low-Carb Version

Replace the ramen noodles with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.