Ramen is an extremely common noodle dish in Japan, and it comes in many varieties. But some people find that ramen usually has a thicker taste than they would like and sometimes can be heavy on the stomach. However, tomato ramen is a type that has a much lighter taste, and women who don’t want a meal that weighs them down especially enjoy it.
Spicy tomato ramen is particularly popular during the summer, but you can enjoy it year-round. It is simple to make, full of flavor and the perfect light meal for people on the go! Enjoy our easy-to-follow recipe and video for Spicy Tomato Ramen, and whip some up at home for friends and family.
What Exactly Is Ramen?
Basically, ramen is wheat noodles in a broth, usually flavored with soy sauce or miso. Most ramens also have toppings, which could be anything from sliced pork to seaweed. Ramen is an absolute staple of the Japanese diet, much like pasta is to Italians, but of much higher quality than the instant ramen noodles that most people are familiar with.
In fact, ramen can be as elaborate or as simple as you like. This spicy tomato ramen falls somewhere near the middle of the spectrum. Like most dishes in Japanese food culture, proper plating and presentation etiquette is essential for authentic Japanese ramen recipes.
Buying Ramen Noodles
Although you can make this recipe with ramen noodles you find at the grocery store, getting quality ramen noodles like the ones from Sun Noodle or Maruchan is key to great taste. If you are going to use packaged noodles, here are some tips on making your dish come out as amazing as possible.
Fresh ramen noodles are even better, of course, but they may be hard to find if you don’t live near a Japanese community or Japanese food market. Like other handmade pastas, handmade fresh noodles add class and flavor to any ramen dish cooked at home.
Making the Perfect Ramen
In Japanese food culture, making ramen is an art form. You must cook the noodles at just the right temperature and for just the right amount of time for them to come out perfect. And then there is the broth, the toppings, and the other ingredients. Each piece of the ramen dish has its place, so check out our complete guide to making the perfect ramen for more insider tips on getting this spicy tomato ramen recipe just right.
Cooking Tips:
- Adding egg at the end makes broth richer. You can use melted cheese instead of egg if you want to make it even richer and creamier.
- Instead of chili powder, you can use your favorite hot sauce, like sriracha sauce.
- Ramen does not have to be served hot. Check out our guide to making cold ramen dishes perfect for the summertime sunny weather.
Spicy Tomato Ramen
Ingredients
- ¼ lb Pork Belly
- 1 Scallion
- 1 portion Ramen Noodles
- ½ can Whole Peeled Tomato
- 1 Egg
- 3 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sake
- 1 Tbsp Mirin
- 1 ½ cup Water
- 1 tsp Chicken Broth
- 1 Tbsp Ketchup
- 1 tsp Garlic, minced
- Chili Powder, to taste
Instructions
- Chop scallion. Set about 1tsp aside for garnishing. Cut pork belly into bitable size.
- Heat sesame oil in a skillet. Add scallions, garlic, and chili powder and cook well.
Combine pork, soy sauce, sake, and mirin into the pan and cook until pork is cooked.
- Add water, canned tomato, chicken broth, and ketchup to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the whisked egg and mix well.
- Place cooked ramen noodles in a serving bowl. Pour the soup. Enjoy!
