Miso ramen is a bowl of noodles in a savoury broth flavoured with a miso tare, a concentrated seasoning paste stirred into hot stock just before serving. At home, the whole bowl comes together in about 30 minutes using ready-made stock and instant or fresh ramen noodles, without needing to simmer a stock for hours.
The tare, not the stock, is what gives miso ramen its depth. This recipe covers the tare, the broth, and how to build the bowl.
Ingredients (serves 2)
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Miso paste | 3 tablespoons |
| Soy sauce | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic, minced | 1 clove |
| Sesame oil | 1 teaspoon |
| Chicken or vegetable stock | 700ml |
| Ramen noodles | 2 portions |
| Soft boiled eggs, sliced pork or tofu, spring onion | To top |
Method
- Mix the miso paste, soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil in a small bowl to make the tare.
- Bring the stock to a simmer in a separate pan.
- Cook the noodles according to the pack instructions, then drain.
- Divide the tare between two bowls, then ladle the hot stock over it and stir until dissolved.
- Add the noodles to the bowls, then top with egg, pork or tofu, and spring onion.
Why the tare goes in the bowl, not the pot
Miso loses some of its aroma if boiled directly in the stock for a long time. Mixing the tare in the bowl and pouring hot stock over it keeps the miso flavour fresher and stronger, and lets you adjust the seasoning per bowl if one person wants it saltier than another.
Sourcing ramen noodles and miso in the UK
Fresh ramen noodles are sold chilled in larger Asian supermarkets. If you cannot find them, dried ramen or even straight-to-wok noodles both work as a substitute. Miso paste is more widely available, stocked in the world food aisle of most larger UK supermarkets as well as Asian grocers.
FAQ
What type of miso is best for ramen?
Red or awase (mixed) miso gives a stronger, more savoury broth than white miso, which is milder and slightly sweeter.
Can I make miso ramen vegetarian?
Yes. Use a vegetable stock and swap the pork for tofu or extra vegetables such as sweetcorn and beansprouts.
Can I use instant noodles for miso ramen?
Yes, though discard the seasoning sachet that comes with them and use the tare and stock in this recipe instead.
How do I get a soft boiled egg for ramen?
Boil for 6 to 7 minutes from a rolling boil, then cool immediately in iced water before peeling.
New to the ingredient? See what is miso, or try it in our sticky miso aubergine recipe. If a shop nearby does not stock it, check where to buy miso paste in the UK.
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- Miso paste. A tub that keeps for months in the fridge.
- Ramen noodles. A cupboard pack for a quick bowl any night.
