Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup minced onion
  • 2 tablespoons grated ginger
  • 1/4 cup minced garlic
  • 1 cup ground pork (about 8 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup shiro miso (white miso)
  • 1/4 cup ada miso (red miso)
  • 1/4 cup ground sesame seeds
  • 5 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tobanjan (Chinese chili paste)
  • 3 tablespoons Japanese soy sauce
  • 8 cups Ramen Chicken Stock (page 10)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 8 cups bean sprouts
  • 2/3 cup garlic chives, cut into 1-inch lengths
  • 4 (7-ounce) pieces frozen ramen noodles
  • 1/2 cup drained canned sweet corn
  • 4 teaspoons ground sesame seeds
  • Pinch of sansho pepper (Japanese pepper seedpods)
  • 2 scallions, both white and green parts, thinly sliced on an angle

Method

  • To make the miso base, combine the sesame oil, onion, ginger, and garlic in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
  • Cook, stirring often, for 6 minutes, or until the ingredients are soft and fragrant.
  • Mix in the ground pork and increase the heat to medium.
  • Cook for an additional 6 to 7 minutes, or until the pork is completely cooked through.
  • Stir in both misos, the sesame seeds, hoisin sauce, tobanjan, and soy sauce, and bring to a boil.
  • Turn off the heat and set aside.
  • Leftover miso base will keep refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • To make the ramen, combine the ramen chicken stock and 1 3/4 cups of the miso base in a pot set over high heat to make the miso broth.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover to keep warm.
  • Place another large pot over high heat and bring to a boil.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large, wide-bottomed pot over high heat.
  • Add the bean sprouts and garlic chives and cook for 1 minute, stirring often.
  • Add the miso broth and bring to a boil.
  • Cook for 1 minute, then turn off the heat.
  • Add the ramen noodles to the boiling water and cook, following package instructions.
  • Drain well and divide among 4 bowls.
  • Top each with one-fourth of the broth and vegetables.
  • Garnish each bowl with 2 tablespoons of the corn kernels, 1 teaspoon of the ground sesame seeds, the sansho pepper, and one-fourth of the sliced scallions.
  • Serve hot.