Miso-glazed ground pork over ramen — rich and savory. As it melts into the broth, every bite gets richer.
Table of Contents
About This Recipe
Pairs well with: Miso ramen
A heap of savory meat miso resting on a bowl of hot ramen is an appetite-inducing sight before the first bite is even taken.
The appeal of this topping goes beyond simply adding more substance. The real pleasure is in watching the bowl evolve. At first, the ramen tastes as it always does. As the meat miso is gradually folded in, the umami of the pork and the depth of the miso begin to dissolve into the broth — and by the final spoonful, it has become something altogether richer and more complex, almost like a different bowl of ramen entirely.
It pairs especially well with miso ramen, amplifying the miso's character with added depth. On shoyu ramen it creates a richer, more indulgent finish; on shio ramen, it introduces a savory, umami-forward contrast. For those who enjoy a spicy variation, a touch of doubanjiang or chili oil brings a tantanmen-like edge. Meat miso also works beautifully beyond ramen — spooned over hot rice, stirred into fried rice, or tossed with stir-fried vegetables, it doubles as a versatile make-ahead staple.
This recipe is part of our Ramen Topping series — a collection of homemade toppings that transform any bowl of ramen, including instant noodles, into a restaurant-quality experience. Each topping works beautifully on its own, and the more you layer, the more satisfying the bowl becomes.
Ingredients (Serves 2–3)
- Ground pork 5.3 oz / 150 g
- Sesame oil 1 tsp
- Garlic clove (grated) 1
- Fresh ginger (grated) to taste
Seasoning
- Miso paste 1 tbsp
- Soy sauce 1 tsp
- Sake 1 tbsp
- Mirin 1 tbsp
- Sugar 1 tsp
Optional Toppings
- Doubanjiang (spicy bean paste) to taste, optional
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) to taste, optional
- Chili oil to taste, optional
- White sesame seeds to taste, optional
- Chopped green onion to taste, optional
Instructions
| 1 | Heat sesame oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté until fragrant. Add the ground pork and break it apart as it cooks. Tip Once the pork has broken apart, avoid stirring too frequently. Letting it sit undisturbed for a moment allows it to develop a light sear, adding a toasty, savory depth to the finished topping. |
| 2 | Once excess moisture has evaporated, add all the seasoning ingredients. Continue to sauté, stirring to combine, until the liquid reduces and the surface develops a glossy sheen. Tip Seasoning slightly on the stronger side works well here — the intensity will balance out once the meat miso meets the ramen broth. |
| 3 | Spoon generously over hot ramen. Stir the meat miso into the broth gradually as you eat — the umami and richness will deepen with every bite. Tips
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