True Japanese Ramen with Pork Belly
A savory ramen broth infused with miso and pork belly, topped with soft-boiled eggs and spring onions. This japanese-inspired quick meals ready in about 50 minutes pairs packs (dry) ramen noodles, (sliced thin) pork belly, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 2 packs (dry) ramen noodles
- 1/2 lb (sliced thin) pork belly
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sake
- 4 cups dashi stock
- 2 tbsp miso paste
- 2 (prepared) soft-boiled egg
- 2 (sliced) spring onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 4 cups dashi stock, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp mirin, and 1 tbsp sake. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 lb sliced pork belly and cook for 15-20 minutes until the meat is tender and the fat has rendered. Remove the pork and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp miso paste to the broth and stir until melted. Cook for 2 minutes until the broth thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Cook 2 packs of ramen noodles according to package instructions, then drain and add to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the noodles are al dente.
- Step 5: Serve the ramen in bowls, topped with 2 soft-boiled eggs, 2 sliced spring onions, and a sprinkle of chopped green onions.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does True Japanese Ramen with Pork Belly take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 True Japanese Ramen with 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 packs (dry) ramen noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in True Japanese Ramen with 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 True Japanese Ramen with 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 True Japanese Ramen with Pork Belly?
Japanese quick meals 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.