Tantanmen Spicy Sesame Ramen

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons sesame paste
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1.5 tablespoons chili oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 6 ounces ground pork
• 7 ounces ramen noodles
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 stalks scallions, sliced thin
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons crispy fried onions or garlic chips

Instructions

1. 1

   Place a small bowl on the counter. Pour 3 tablespoons of sesame paste into the bowl, then add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, and 1.5 tablespoons of chili oil.

2. 2

   Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon of minced ginger to the bowl. Stir with a spoon until the mixture looks smooth and uniform, about 20 seconds.

3. 3

   Slice 2 scallion stalks crosswise at a slight angle into 1/4-inch-thick pieces, working from the white base to the green tips. Place the slices in a small bowl.

4. 4

   Place a 10-inch skillet on the stovetop and set the heat to medium-high. Wait 30 seconds, then add 6 ounces of ground pork and break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, stirring constantly.

5. 5

   Keep stirring the pork for 4–5 minutes, breaking up any clumps, until no pink remains and the meat is light brown throughout. If liquid pools, pour it off and discard.

6. 6

   Remove the skillet from the heat. Pour 4 cups of broth into a large pot and place it on the stovetop over high heat.

7. 7

   Watch the broth carefully. When steam rises steadily and small bubbles break the surface (about 5 minutes), add 7 ounces of ramen noodles and stir once with chopsticks or a fork.

8. 8

   Stir the noodles once every 30 seconds. When the thickest part of a noodle bends easily without snapping (usually 3–4 minutes), remove the pot from the heat.

9. 9

   Divide the spicy sesame sauce mixture between two large bowls, pouring half into each bowl.

10. 10

    Carefully pour half of the hot broth into each bowl with the sauce, pouring slowly and stirring gently to dissolve the sauce into the broth. The liquid should look uniform and glossy.

11. 11

    Use tongs or chopsticks to divide the cooked noodles evenly between the two bowls, twisting gently to create a nest. Divide any remaining broth between the bowls.

12. 12

    Divide the cooked ground pork equally between the two bowls, mounding it in the center of each nest of noodles.

13. 13

    Drizzle 0.5 teaspoon of sesame oil over each bowl, pouring in a thin stream across the surface.

14. 14

    Scatter half of the sliced scallions over each bowl, distributing them evenly across the surface.

15. 15

    Sprinkle 0.5 tablespoon of sesame seeds over each bowl, then top each with 1 tablespoon of crispy fried onions or garlic chips.

Tools you’ll need

• small mixing bowl
• spoon
• small bowl for garnish
• 10-inch skillet
• wooden spoon
• large pot
• chopsticks or fork
• two large ramen or soup bowls
• tongs or chopsticks
• spoon for drizzling

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