Easy Tan Tan Udon (Tantanmen Recipe)

You need to try this tantanmen recipe that can be cooked under 30 minutes! The broth of tantanmen has a rich and complex flavor. The noodle soup tastes creamy and is made with a combination of spicy chili oil, soy sauce, sesame paste and soybean paste. The ground pork (can be substituted with chicken) adds a meaty flavor and texture to the soup, while the chewy udon noodles pair well with the spicy and savory broth.

Add your favorite toppings and enjoy a warm & cozy noodle soup for your next easy meal at home!

What is tantanmen?

Tantanmen is a Chinese dish that has been popularized in Japan and has been adapted into a Japanese version known as Tan Tan Men. While the Chinese version is typically made with a spicy soup made from chili oil and Sichuan peppercorns, the Japanese version often has a milder broth made with miso, soy sauce, or both.

We are making the Japanese version that is less spicy than the Chinese version. This recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make and you can add a variety of different toppings based on your own preference such as soft boiled eggs, chasu (bbq pork), bean sprouts, corn and more!

What type of noodles should I use?

I always keep a pack of my favorite udon noodles in the freezer. These noodles are chewy and takes less than 3 minutes to cook! However, you can use any type of noodles you have in your pantry or refrigerator for this recipe. Traditionally, Japanese egg noodles or wheat noodles are added. You can get these noodles at Japanese grocery stores (Nijiya) or your local asian grocery (99 ranch or H-mart). No matter which noodle you use, the tantanmen dish will still taste delicious!

INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR TANTANMEN RECIPE:

sautéed minced pork

• ½ tablespoon neutral oil – avocado or canola oil works! Look for anything that has a high smoke point
• 1 inch ginger, peeled and minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 shallot, minced
• ½ pound ground pork – you can substitute with ground chicken or impossible meat if you don’t eat pork
• 1 tablespoon sake or shaoxing cooking wine – omit if you can’t have alcohol!
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon soybean paste or miso paste– I prefer to use the Korean soybean paste due to it’s sweeter flavor
• 1 tablespoon Chinese sesame paste – when you use sesame paste, keep in mind that you need to stir it heavily as the oil floats to the top and the paste is at the bottom.
• 1 teaspoon chili oil – homemade is best!

add broth

• 1 cup unsweetened soy milk – alternatively, you can use oak milk! I used the brand Silk unsweetened soy milk for the best results. NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU USE UNSWEETENED SOY MILK! If you use regular, it will taste too sweet.
• 1.5 cup chicken broth – I recommend bone broth for this to make the soup extra delicious!

assemble

• 2 packs ramen noodles or udon noodles – cook according to package directions
• 1 green onion, sliced
• spinach or bok choy
• chili oil
• sautéed minced pork

HOW TO MAKE TANTANMEN:

Prepare sautéed minced pork:

Step 1. Mince 1 inch ginger, 2 garlic cloves and 1 shallot.

Step 2. Heat pot on medium low heat. When the pot gets hot, add ½ tablespoon oil to the pot. Next, add minced ginger, garlic, and shallot. Fry for 1 minute.

Step 3. Add ½ pound ground pork to the pan and break apart the clumps of meat. Then, add 1 tablespoon sake and fry the pork for 3 minutes until slightly brown.

Step 4. Once the pork has browned, add 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon soybean paste or miso paste, 1 teaspoon chili oil, 1 tablespoon Chinese sesame paste. Mix everything together and cook for 1 minute. OPTIONAL: set aside some minced pork topping so you can add it as a garnish at the assembly step.

Add Broth:

Step 5. Add the 1.5 cups chicken broth gradually to the minced pork while stirring with a spatula. This ensure that you can combine them well.

Step 6. Next, gradually add 1 cup of soy milk while stirring. When the broth starts boiling, it is ready and you’re ready to assemble!

Cook Noodles & Vegetables:

Step 7. Boil a pot of water and cook udon or ramen noodles according to package directions. If you wish, you can boil your spinach (10 seconds) or bok choy (3-5 minutes until your desired tenderness) at the same time.

Assemble

Step 8. Add the noodles to a bowl. Then, add your hot broth from Step 6. Finally, add your favorite toppings such as your spinach, soft boiled egg, mushrooms, etc. Garnish with sliced green onions and chili oil. Mix and enjoy the creamy noodles!

More Delicious Japanese Recipes:

• Chicken Yakitori (Air Fryer and Oven) – super easy Japanese chicken skewers made in the air fryer or oven
• One Pot Hainanese Chicken Rice – super fragrant chicken and rice served with ginger and scallion sauce