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TanTanmen (Tan Tan) Ramen

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This cozy, spicy Tan Tan Ramen recipe is inspired by the bold flavors of Japanese ramen and Chinese Dan Dan noodles. Featuring a creamy broth made with sesame paste and chili oil, savory garlic pork topping, bok choy, and soft-boiled eggs, it's the perfect weeknight comfort meal. This version is adapted from The Woks of Life with custom tweaks like oyster sauce and extra garlic. Learn how to make this flavorful noodle soup at home in under an hour with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Asian Fusion, Chinese, Japanese
Calories: 1609

Ingredients
  

For the pork topping:
  • 8 oz ground pork or substitute ground chicken or turkey
  • 1 tablespoon mirin
  • tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
  • 1 tablespoon spicy bean paste doubanjiang
For the broth base:
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sesame paste or smooth peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chili oil adjust to taste
  • 2 cups chicken stock can sub with dashi
  • 2 cups milk
Noodles and toppings:
  • 12 oz fresh ramen noodles
  • 1-2 heads bok choy
  • 2 soft-boiled eggs cook to your liking
  • 2 scallions chopped
  • Optional: extra chili oil toasted sesame seeds

Method
 

  1. Start by combining the ground pork with mirin and oyster sauce in a small bowl. Let it marinate for 10 to 15 minutes while you prepare the other components.
  2. In another bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame paste (or peanut butter), rice vinegar, sugar, and chili oil until smooth—this will be the base flavoring for your broth.
  3. In a separate pot, combine the chicken stock and milk and bring to a gentle simmer over low heat. Be careful not to let it boil, as the milk can curdle. Cover the pot to keep the broth warm while you cook the rest.
  4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the marinated pork and cook, breaking it up into small bits, until browned and slightly crispy. Stir in the spicy bean paste and cook for another minute, then turn off the heat and set aside.
  5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch the bok choy for about 1 minute until just tender, then remove and set aside. In the same pot, cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
  6. To assemble, divide the sesame paste mixture between two serving bowls. Pour the hot chicken stock and milk mixture into each bowl and stir well to combine. Add the noodles to each bowl, then top with the garlic pork, bok choy, soft-boiled egg halves (or cooked to your liking), and chopped scallions. Drizzle with extra chili oil or sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired, and serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 1609kcalCarbohydrates: 155gProtein: 63gFat: 84gSaturated Fat: 30gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gMonounsaturated Fat: 38gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 118mgSodium: 5683mgPotassium: 2472mgFiber: 10gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 19327IUVitamin C: 195mgCalcium: 861mgIron: 13mg

Notes

  • Keep the broth on low heat to avoid curdling the milk.
  • Fresh ramen noodles are best, but dried noodles or udon can work in a pinch.
  • Add mushrooms, corn, or bamboo shoots for extra texture.
  • Make it vegetarian by using veggie broth and sautéed mushrooms or tofu instead of pork.

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