There is something profoundly comforting about a steaming bowl of ramen, with its fragrant broth and tender noodles. This recipe allows you to bring those deep, complex flavors into your home in under an hour, making it an ideal choice for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special weekend treat. Whether you are looking to warm up on a chilly evening or simply want to master a versatile staple, this Japanese-inspired soup is sure to become a favorite in your household rotation.

Recipe Details

  • Yields: 4
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 750ml Chicken stock
  • 4 Pork chops OR 4 Chicken Breasts
  • Set honey
  • 3 Garlic cloves
  • Soy sauce
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Ginger, sliced
  • Chinese 5 Spice
  • 1 Red Chilli, sliced and deseeded (Optional, but recommended)
  • 375g Ramen Noodles (Medium Egg Noodles work well too)
  • 100g Spinach (Optional)
  • 4 Tbsp Sweetcorn (Optional)
  • Sesame seeds (Optional)
  • 4 Boiled Eggs (Optional)
  • 1 Sheet of Dried Nori (Optional)
  • Spring Onion, chopped (Optional)

Instructions

  1. To prepare your aromatic broth, combine 700ml of the chicken stock in a large pot with the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, Chinese five spice, sliced chili, and 300ml of water.
  2. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to low and allow the liquid to simmer for approximately 5 minutes.
  3. Taste your broth and add a small pinch of sugar and additional soy sauce to achieve your preferred balance of flavors.
  4. While the broth simmers, pan-fry your pork chops or chicken breasts until they are completely cooked through and golden.
  5. In a separate small pot, hard boil four eggs to your desired consistency.
  6. Prepare the ramen noodles by following the specific timing instructions on their packaging.
  7. Use a fine-mesh strainer to pour the stock into a clean pan, discarding the solid aromatics, and return the liquid to a simmer.
  8. Arrange the cooked noodles into four deep serving bowls. Top each portion with a sliced piece of meat, and if using, add the spinach, sweetcorn, and a halved boiled egg.
  9. Ladle the hot, clear stock over the ingredients in each bowl. Finish the dish by sprinkling sesame seeds, shredded nori, and fresh spring onions over the top.

Tips for Success

While ramen noodles are traditional for this dish, medium egg noodles serve as an excellent substitute if you cannot find ramen at your local grocer. If you are looking to elevate the protein, consider glazing your pork chops with a honey-based sauce before frying to add a sweet and savory "sticky" element that complements the salty broth beautifully. For a vegetarian-friendly base, you can easily swap the chicken stock for a robust vegetable broth.

Gather your ingredients and enjoy the process of building these beautiful, nourishing bowls for your family tonight.