Spiced Ramen Broth with Braised Pork Belly
A rich, aromatic ramen broth simmered with warm spices and topped with tender braised pork belly slices for an indulgent Japanese noodle soup. This japanese-inspired soups ready in about 130 minutes pairs soy sauce, mirin, sake for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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 lb pork belly, skin removed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sake
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2-inch piece ginger, sliced thin
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 whole star anise
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 4 pieces dried shiitake mushrooms
- 4 servings ramen noodles
- 4 soft-boiled eggs
- 3 stalks scallions, sliced
- 4 pieces nori sheets, cut into strips
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1 lb pork belly pieces, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup mirin, 1/4 cup sake, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2-inch sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 2 whole star anise. Add 6 cups chicken broth and 4 dried shiitake mushrooms.
- Step 2: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1.5 hours until pork belly is tender and broth is fragrant and rich.
- Step 3: Remove pork belly from broth and slice into thin pieces. Strain broth to remove solids and return to pot, keeping warm.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, cook 4 servings ramen noodles according to package instructions. Drain and divide into bowls.
- Step 5: Ladle hot spiced broth over noodles. Top each bowl with sliced braised pork belly, 1 soft-boiled egg cut in half, 3 sliced scallions, and 1 strip of nori before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Ramen Broth with Braised Pork Belly take to make?
Total time is about 130 minutes (20 min prep + 110 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 Spiced Ramen Broth with Braised Pork Belly?
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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Ramen Broth with Braised Pork Belly?
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 Spiced Ramen Broth with Braised Pork Belly 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 Spiced Ramen Broth with Braised Pork Belly?
Japanese soups 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.
