15-Minute Tonkotsu-Style Ramen
Yakult Char Siu

Satisfy your ramen cravings in minutes with this genius tonkotsu-style broth made from mayo and egg yolk, paired with a sweet and tender 15-minute Yakult-braised char siu.

Ingredients

• 300 g pork shoulder
• 2 small bottles Yakult or sweet yogurt drink
• 12 cup light soy sauce
• 1 splash dark soy sauce
• 2 portions dry ramen noodles
• 2 pasteurized egg yolks
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tbsp crispy fried garlic
• 2 packets instant ramen seasoning
• 1 tbsp white sesame seeds
• 2 soft-boiled eggs
• to taste corn kernels, wood ear mushrooms, and sliced scallions
• optional black garlic oil

Instructions

1. 1Heat the oil

   

   Begin preparing the quick char siu by placing a stainless steel pot over medium heat. Pour in a small amount of cooking oil, ensuring it coats the bottom of the pot evenly to prevent the meat from sticking.

   Tip: Make sure the pot is adequately heated before adding the oil and pork; this will help develop a proper sear.
2. 2Sear the pork shoulder

   

   Place a thick piece of raw pork shoulder directly into the heated oil. Let it sear undisturbed to develop a nice crust, then flip it to sear the other side until the pork is about 30% cooked.

   Tip: Searing the pork locks in the juices and creates a flavorful foundation that will significantly enhance the final braise.
3. 3Add the braising liquid

   

   After searing both sides of the pork shoulder until slightly browned, pour two bottles of sweet yogurt drink and a bottle of water directly over the meat. This forms the sweet, tenderizing base of our rapid braising liquid.

   Tip: The lactic acid and sweetness from the yogurt drink help to tenderize the pork and give it a beautiful caramelized glaze as it reduces.
4. 4Add the seasonings

   

   Next, pour in the soy sauce. Use about half a cup of light soy sauce for the primary savory flavor. If you prefer a deeper and richer color on your char siu, you can also add a splash of dark soy sauce.

   Tip: The sweetness and acidity from the yogurt drinks perfectly balance the saltiness of the soy sauce, eliminating the need for complex or overnight marinades.
5. 5Braise the pork

   

   Bring the entire mixture to a boil, then cover the pot and let it cook for about 15 minutes. While it simmers, use a fine skimmer to remove any impurities or foam that float to the surface. Remember to flip the meat halfway through the cooking time for even flavor absorption.

   Tip: Maintaining a steady simmer allows the meat to become tender while the braising liquid slowly reduces into a thick glaze.
6. 6Remove and rest

   

   Continue cooking down the liquid until it reduces into a sticky, caramelized glaze that thickly coats the pork. Once the meat is fully cooked and has achieved a deep, dark color, lift it out of the pan using chopsticks.

   Tip: Dont wash the pot just yet! The remaining sticky braising liquid makes an excellent concentrated sauce to drizzle over the sliced pork.
7. 7Slice the char siu

   

   Once the braising liquid has reduced and the pork is richly caramelized, transfer it to a wooden cutting board. Use a sharp knife and a fork to steady the meat, slicing it into thick, tender pieces ready for serving.

   Tip: Allowing the pork to rest for a few minutes before slicing helps the meat retain its juices, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful.
8. 8Garnish with sesame seeds

   

   Arrange the freshly sliced char siu onto small serving plates. Drizzle any remaining sweet glaze from the pan over the meat, then generously sprinkle white sesame seeds on top to finish the dish.

   Tip: Lightly toasting the white sesame seeds in a dry pan beforehand will bring out a nuttier, more intense aroma that pairs perfectly with the sweet pork.
9. 9Boil the ramen noodles

   

   Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and gently lower the dry ramen noodles into the water. Ensure they are fully submerged so they cook evenly.

   Tip: Make sure the water is at a rapid boil before adding the noodles to prevent them from becoming soggy and sticking together.
10. 10Assemble the soup base

    

    In a clean serving bowl, begin building your quick Tonkotsu-style soup base. Combine a pasteurized egg yolk, minced garlic, a squeeze of mayonnaise, and your preferred instant noodle seasoning packet. Add a spoonful of fried garlic for extra depth.

    Tip: If you dont have crispy fried garlic on hand, substituting with an extra portion of fresh minced garlic will still provide an excellent aromatic base.
11. 11Mix the soup paste

    

    Stir the egg yolk, garlic, mayonnaise, and dry seasoning together vigorously until they form a thick, smooth paste. This concentrated mixture is the secret to a rich, creamy broth that mimics a slow-simmered Tonkotsu base.

    Tip: Make sure to mix thoroughly until the mayonnaise is completely incorporated to prevent any lumps from floating in your final hot broth.
12. 12Temper the soup base

    

    Ladle a small amount of the hot, boiling noodle water directly into the bowl containing the prepared soup base paste. Mix thoroughly to melt the ingredients and temper the egg yolk, creating a rich, creamy broth foundation.

    Tip: Add the hot water gradually while whisking to prevent the egg yolk from scrambling in the bowl.
13. 13Combine the soup base and noodles

    

    Once your quick creamy soup base is mixed with a little hot noodle water, pour the mixture directly into the pot with the cooked noodles. Stir gently to ensure the rich, savory mixture emulsifies with the water, creating a restaurant-quality Tonkotsu-style broth in just minutes.

    Tip: Lower or turn off the heat right before pouring in the base so the egg yolk and mayonnaise mixture remains perfectly smooth and does not curdle.
14. 14Garnish with fresh scallions

    

    Once the noodles and creamy broth are portioned into serving bowls, sprinkle a generous handful of freshly sliced scallions over the top. The crisp scallions cut through the richness of the creamy broth.

    Tip: Slice the scallions as thinly as possible to ensure their sharp, fresh flavor distributes evenly throughout the soup.

Storage & Reheating

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Frequently Asked Questions