EASY Tantanmen Ramen in 10-Minutes

10-Minute EASY Tantanmen Ramen 🍜 

Easy tantanmen is your go-to ramen for a quick and cozy meal. In just 10 minutes, you get a creamy, spicy bowl packed with flavor. This recipe is inspired by the Japanese twist on Sichuan dan dan noodles, blending bold seasonings with a rich soy milk broth. The savory ground pork topping and nutty sesame tare bring depth and warmth to every bite.

📺 Watch How to Make This Easy Tantanmen

 

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Easy Tantanmen

Tare (seasoning sauce):

• 3 tbsp tsuyu (Japanese soup base sauce)
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 1 tbsp chili oil
• 1 tbsp toban djan
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

Pork Topping:

• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 oz ginger, chopped
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 3 tbsp rice wine

Broth:

• 2 cups unsweetened soy milk
• 1 cup water
• 2 tsp chicken powder or bouillon

Noodles & Toppings:

• 1 baby bok choy, cut into half
• 1 handful bean sprouts
• 1 ramen egg, cut into half
• Toasted sesame seeds & sansho for garnish (optional)
• 2 portions ramen noodles (fresh, frozen or dried)

📝 Tips for the Best Easy Tantanmen

• Adjust chili oil and toban djan to control the spice level.
• Full-fat soy milk creates a richer broth.
• Use fresh ramen noodles if possible.
• Add optional toppings like corn, mushrooms, or pickled vegetables for variety.

❓ FAQ

Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Yes! Swap pork for crumbled tofu or chopped mushrooms and use vegetable broth.

Q: Can I substitute tsuyu?
A: Mix 2.5 tbsp soy sauce with 0.5 tsp hondashi as an alternative. You can also make tsuyu at home! TAP HERE FOR HOMEMADE TSUYU RECIPE

Q: What if I don’t have tahini?
A: You can use peanut butter instead, though it changes the flavor slightly.

🍳 How to Make Easy Tantanmen

This is my new ramen recipe in awhile, so I know how excited you are right now! So let’s jump into the recipe!

First, we are going to make tare, ramen seasoning sauce.

Combine 3 tbsp Tsuyu, Japanese soup base sauce, 2 tbsp tahini and 1 tbsp chili oil. (Highly recommend my homemade chili oil but you can use any of your favorite chili oil!) and whisk until smooth. Set aside.

https://seonkyounglongest.com/chili-oil/

In a medium pot, combine 1 cup water, 2 cups soy milk and 2 tsp chicken powder. Cover and bring it to light simmer. Watch carefully, it’s easy to boil over. 

Also, bring another pot of water to boil; add generous amount of salt.

Chop 3 cloves garlic, 1 oz of ginger and 1 green onion.

Heat a large wok over high heat, add chili oil, garlic and ginger. Stir fry for 30 seconds or until you can smell aroma, then add toban djan and oyster sauce. Stir fry for 45 seconds to 1 minute.

Add 1/2 lb ground pork. You could use ground beef, chicken, turkey or impossible meat. Break down pork and stir fry with sauce, about 1 minute. Splash 3 tbsp rice wine and stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes or until there’s no moisture and pork is fully cooked. Remove from heat and keep it warm.

Meanwhile pork is cooking, cut 1 baby bok choy’s bottom & separate each leaf.

Add generous amount of salt into boiling water then add bok choy and blanch for 1 minute. Remove from water, drain and set aside. Add handful of beansprouts and blanch for 2 minute. Remove from water, drain and set aside.

Drop noodles into now-empty-boiling-water, cook by following the directions of package you’re using. Cook 1 portion at a time if you are using fresh/frozen noodles.

Meanwhile noodles are cooking (about 1 to 2 minutes for fresh/frozen noodles), combine half of tare and half of hot broth in a serving bowl. 

Drain cooked noodles (extra water will dilute the broth and flavors) and add into bowl. Stir noodles to coat evenly with broth and arrange them. Top ramen with beansprouts, bok choy, stir-fried pork, extra chili oil if you like, ramen egg, chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and sansyo powder .

TAP HERE FOR RAMEN EGG RECIPE

TAP HERE FOR CHILI OIL RECIPE 

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve your easy tantanmen hot and fresh. A side of pickled cucumbers or a light salad pairs beautifully. Gyoza is always classic to serve with ramen in Japan. A warm cup of green tea is also a perfect match.

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