Authentic Tonkotsu Ramen with Slow-Simmered Pork Bone Broth
A deeply flavorful ramen showcasing true Japanese tradition, featuring a rich, collagen-packed broth simmered for 12 hours and topped with perfectly cooked chashu pork. This japanese-inspired asian ready in about 750 minutes pairs pork bones, water, pork belly for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 720 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg pork bones
- 4 L water
- 300 g pork belly
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp mirin
- 4 cloves garlic
- 8 stalks spring onions
- 200 g ramen noodles
- 2 soft-boiled eggs
- 50 g bamboo shoots
Instructions
- Step 1: Place pork bones in a large stockpot, cover completely with cold water, and bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Skim off all foam that rises to the surface during the first 30 minutes, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 12 hours, skimming occasionally until the broth is milky white and rich.
- Step 2: While broth simmers, dice pork belly into 1.5 cm cubes. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, mirin, and minced garlic. Add pork belly to the sauce, coating evenly, and let marinate for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: After 12 hours, strain broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot. Return broth to low heat, add marinated pork belly, and simmer for 30 minutes until pork is tender and flavorful. Meanwhile, blanch spring onions in boiling water for 1 minute, then slice thinly.
- Step 4: Cook ramen noodles in boiling water for 3 minutes until al dente, drain, and divide between bowls. Pour hot broth over noodles, top with simmered pork belly, bamboo shoots, sliced spring onions, and a soft-boiled egg cracked open on top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Tonkotsu Ramen with Slow-Simmered Pork Bone Broth take to make?
Total time is about 750 minutes (30 min prep + 720 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Tonkotsu Ramen with Slow-Simmered Pork Bone Broth?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork bones from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Tonkotsu Ramen with Slow-Simmered Pork Bone Broth?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Tonkotsu Ramen with Slow-Simmered Pork Bone Broth for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Tonkotsu Ramen with Slow-Simmered Pork Bone Broth?
Japanese asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.