Slow-Simmered Tonkotsu Ramen with Pork Bone Broth
A deeply flavorful ramen broth made by simmering pork bones for 6 hours, yielding a creamy, gelatinous base that coats the noodles perfectly. Topped with tender chashu pork and fresh scallions. This japanese-inspired asian ready in about 400 minutes pairs pork bones, water, thinly sliced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 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
- 3 kg pork bones
- 4 L water
- 100 g, thinly sliced ginger
- 4 cloves, smashed garlic
- 120 ml soy sauce
- 60 ml mirin
- 300 g, thinly sliced chashu pork
- 200 g ramen noodles
- 4, thinly sliced scallions
- 4 soft-boiled eggs
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 3 kg pork bones and 4 L water in a large stockpot, bringing to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat; skim off any foam that rises to the surface within the first 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 100 g sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, 120 ml soy sauce, and 60 ml mirin, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 6 hours, skimming fat every hour until broth turns milky white and rich.
- Step 3: Strain broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot, discarding solids; return to low heat and simmer 15 minutes to concentrate flavors, then keep warm.
- Step 4: Cook 200 g ramen noodles in boiling salted water for 2 minutes until al dente; drain and divide into bowls.
- Step 5: Top noodles with 300 g sliced chashu pork, 4 thinly sliced scallions, and 4 soft-boiled eggs; pour 1 cup hot broth over each bowl until noodles are fully submerged, ensuring the broth is steaming hot when served.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Tonkotsu Ramen with Pork Bone Broth take to make?
Total time is about 400 minutes (25 min prep + 375 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 Slow-Simmered Tonkotsu Ramen with 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 Slow-Simmered Tonkotsu Ramen with 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 Slow-Simmered Tonkotsu Ramen with 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 Slow-Simmered Tonkotsu Ramen with 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
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order japanese delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.