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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
