Japanese Dan Dan Ramen (Sesame Cream Broth with Spicy Pork)
Quick answer
Tantanmen is the Japanese adaptation of Sichuan dan dan noodles, served as a ramen with a thick sesame-cream broth.
What makes this special
- Tantanmen layers ground pork over a thick sesame cream broth seasoned with spicy doubanjiang.
- Toasting sesame paste in oil before adding broth unlocks its nuttiness
- Doubanjiang and chili oil build the numbing Sichuan heat
Key ingredients
Core cooking flow
- 1 Heat a pan over medium-high heat and spread out 150 g ground pork.
- 2 Cook for 2 more minutes so the seasoning clings to the pork and the texture turns crumbly.
- 3 Set a pot over low heat and add 3 tbsp sesame paste and 1 tbsp miso.
Tantanmen is the Japanese adaptation of Sichuan dan dan noodles, served as a ramen with a thick sesame-cream broth. Ground pork is stir-fried with doubanjiang and spooned over the bowl along with chili oil. The sesame base gives the soup a dense, nutty body, while the chili oil adds a slow-building heat. Standard ramen noodles are used, paired with bok choy or scallions. Preparation takes about 45 minutes, with most of the effort going into building the sesame broth and seasoning the pork topping.
Instructions
Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.
- 1Control
Heat a pan over medium-high heat and spread out 150 g ground pork.
Stir-fry for about 3 minutes until moisture cooks off and the edges brown, then add 1 tbsp doubanjiang and 1 tbsp soy sauce.
- 2Season
Cook for 2 more minutes so the seasoning clings to the pork and the texture turns crumbly.
If the doubanjiang starts to scorch, lower the heat to medium, then set the pork aside.
- 3Control
Set a pot over low heat and add 3 tbsp sesame paste and 1 tbsp miso.
Stir-fry for about 1 minute, just until glossy and fragrant, without letting the paste brown or stick.
- 4Control
Pour in 600 ml pork bone stock a little at a time, whisking until no lumps remain.
Simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until small bubbles rise and the broth feels creamy and full-bodied.
- 5Heat
Boil plenty of water in a separate pot and cook 2 servings of ramen noodles.
When the strands loosen and the center still has bounce, drain well and shake off excess water so the broth does not thin out.
- 6Finish
Place the noodles in bowls and ladle the hot sesame broth over them.
Divide the pork topping, 2 soft-boiled eggs, 20 g green onion, and 2 tbsp chili oil between the bowls, then serve immediately.
After the steps
Pick a recipe that fits this dish.
Continue with shared ingredients, meal pairings, or a similar method.
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