Super Tonkotsu Ramen
Xuanwei Ham

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A decadent, anime-inspired tonkotsu ramen featuring an 8-hour rich pork marrow broth, artisan thin noodles, unique Xuanwei ham slices, and soft-boiled ajitsuke tamago eggs.

↓ The ingredients ↓ The steps

Bringing a beloved virtual gourmet creation into the real world, this Super Tonkotsu Ramen combines traditional Japanese ramen techniques with an exceptional twist: savory Xuanwei ham from Yunnan. Simmered for hours to achieve a deeply satisfying richness, every component from the bouncy noodles to the runny yolk ajitsuke tamago is carefully crafted to mirror iconic game art.

A bowl of Super Tonkotsu Ramen — rich bone broth, thin noodles, Xuanwei ham, and soft-boiled eggs
A bowl of Super Tonkotsu Ramen — rich bone broth, thin noodles, Xuanwei ham, and soft-boiled eggs
Prep30 mins
Cook8 hr 5 mins
Total8 hr 35 mins
Yield2 servings
DifficultyHard
Calories780 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1Slice the narutomaki
    A cleaver slicing a white and pink narutomaki fish cake roll on a wooden cutting board into individual pieces.

    Place the narutomaki fish cake roll on a wooden checkered cutting board and use a cleaver to slice it into neat, even pieces.

    Tip: Keep your knife strokes straight and even to ensure uniform slices for garnishing.
  2. 2Prepare the bone broth base
    Several large pork marrow bones resting in a stainless steel pot filled with water on a stove.

    Select high-quality pork large marrow bones and place them inside a large metal pot filled with water sitting on an induction cooktop.

    Tip: Starting with clean water and fresh bones is essential for building a rich and clear broth foundation.
  3. 3Add aromatics to the pot
    Scallions, ginger slices, and peeled garlic being poured from a small white plate into a pot of water.

    Add fresh scallions, sliced ginger, and garlic cloves into the pot containing the pork bones and water to infuse the broth with deep flavor.

    Tip: Lightly crushing the ginger and garlic helps release their essential oils faster into the water.
  4. 4Simmer and skim the broth
    A ladle dipping into a large pot of simmering yellowish bone broth to remove surface impurities.

    Simmer the large marrow broth over heat and use a ladle to carefully skim away impurities from the surface to keep the liquid clean.

    Tip: Regularly skimming the surface during the initial boil ensures a smooth and clear soup base.
  5. 5Prepare the Xuanwei ham
    A solid block of cured Xuanwei ham sitting on a wooden checkered cutting board.

    Take a block of Xuanwei ham chosen to match the original game art and place it on a wooden checkered cutting board before slicing.

    Tip: Xuanwei ham adds a unique depth and savory saltiness that elevates the traditional ramen profile.
  6. 6Slice and scald the ham
    Hands using a cleaver to slice the Xuanwei ham into thin pieces on a wooden checkered board.

    Use a cleaver to slice the Xuanwei ham into thin pieces on a wooden cutting board. Place the slices into a strainer basket and submerge them into the simmering bone broth to scald until tender.

    Tip: Scalding the meat briefly softens its texture and warms it through without overcooking.
  7. 7Pour the Rich Bone Broth
    Rich bone broth being poured gracefully from a stainless steel ladle into the center of a black ceramic bowl.

    Carefully pour the rich, 8-hour simmered pork bone broth from the ladle into a clean black serving bowl. Ensure an even fill to create a hearty base for the noodles and toppings.

    Tip: Pour gently down the side of the bowl to avoid splashing and maintain a clean presentation.
  8. 8Add the Cooked Noodles
    A clump of cooked ramen noodles being lifted with dark wooden chopsticks and lowered into the broth bowl.

    Using chopsticks, lift the freshly cooked noodles and place them neatly into the black bowl filled with the hot bone broth. Arrange them so they absorb the liquid evenly.

    Tip: Shake off excess water gently before transferring the noodles to keep the broth concentration pure.
  9. 9Arrange the Ham Slices
    Sliced Xuanwei ham arranged neatly in a fan shape over the noodles inside the black serving bowl.

    Take the scalded Xuanwei ham slices and arrange them neatly along the edge of the bowl, overlapping each other slightly over the bed of noodles.

    Tip: Fan the meat slices out symmetrically for an appealing restaurant-style presentation.
  10. 10Add Seasoned Bamboo Shoots
    Rectangular seasoned bamboo shoots being placed next to the ham slices in the ramen bowl.

    Place the seasoned bamboo shoots (menma) into the bowl right next to the arranged meat slices. This adds a nice textural contrast and authentic flavor.

    Tip: Drain any excess liquid from the bamboo shoots before placing them in the bowl to keep the broth clear.
  11. 11Cut the Soft-Boiled Egg
    Hands wearing clear gloves using a string to slice a soft-boiled egg in half over the ramen bowl.

    Take a soft-boiled ajitsuke tamago egg and cut it cleanly in half using a thread or string, revealing the vibrant, runny orange yolk inside.

    Tip: Using a string instead of a knife ensures the delicate yolk does not smear across the egg whites.
  12. 12Garnish the ramen bowl
    Chopped green onions, nori seaweed, and halved soft-boiled eggs being arranged as a garnish on top of a bowl of ramen.

    Place chopped green onions, nori seaweed, and the halved soft-boiled ajitsuke tamago egg with a runny yolk onto the prepared ramen bowl with noodles, broth, meat slices, and bamboo shoots.

    Tip: Add the green onions and nori just before serving to maintain their fresh texture and vibrant color.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator
2 days
Store the tonkotsu broth and cooked noodles in separate airtight containers.
Freezer
1 month
Freeze the pork bone broth only. Prepare fresh noodles when ready to serve.
Reheating
10 min
Bring the broth to a rolling simmer on the stovetop before pouring over newly boiled noodles.

Burn It Off

Running
~75 minutes at a vigorous pace (~11 km/h).
Swimming
~90 minutes of full-body swimming.
Brisk Walking
~2 hours and 35 minutes at a steady pace (~5 km/h).

Frequently Asked Questions

While commercial bone broth can save time, simmering fresh pork marrow bones with aromatics for 8 hours is what builds the authentic gelatinous body and rich flavor profile characteristic of true tonkotsu ramen.
Xuanwei ham is chosen specifically to recreate a unique game art recipe, bringing an exceptional cured, savory saltiness that contrasts wonderfully with the rich, creamy pork broth.
Cook room-temperature eggs in boiling water for exactly 6 to 6.5 minutes, then immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process before peeling.
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