Tahini 'Tantanmen' Ramen with Crispy Shiitakes Recipe by Alexina Anatole
By Alexina Anatole
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Easy
This recipe is inspired by tantanmen ramen – a Japanese take on Sichuan dan dan noodles, with a broth made from soya milk and sesame – but it is by no means authentic.
Typically, this would have a proper stock as the base and be topped with minced (ground) pork, but I got attached to the idea of a ramen that could be knocked up quickly and that remained vegetarian/vegan.
I also wanted to use udon noodles (again, untraditional), because I love their texture: big, fat, slippery, chewy – is there anything more satisfying?
Shop all Japanese Ramen ingredients here.
This is a perfect lunch or dinner for two, in part because the mushrooms and leeks benefit from not being overcrowded when you cook them.
It is best to use a Middle Eastern brand of tahini for this recipe.
TIP- When cooking mushrooms, there are three rules: 1. high heat; 2. refrain from moving them around too much; 3. only salt them in the last couple of minutes of cooking. This helps to ensure that they properly caramelise.
Recipe extracted from Bitter by Alexina Anatole (Square Peg, £27). Bitter is a celebration of the complexity of sharp, tart and acidic flavours. With ideas and recipes you won't have thought of before...
Ingredients for Tahini Ramen Serves: 2
For the broth:
- 500ml vegetable stock
- 3 medium-large dried shiitake mushrooms
- 5mm piece of fresh root ginger, skin on
- 5-7cm piece of kombu seaweed (optional)
- 250ml soya milk
- 1 tbsp tamari (or soy sauce), or to taste
- 70g tahini
- 1 1/2 tsp sesame oil
To assemble:
- vegetable oil, for frying
- 1/2 leek, sliced about 5mm thick and rinsed
- 100g mixed mushrooms (I like oyster and chestnut/cremini), torn into even bite-sized pieces
- fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 200g ready-to-eat udon noodles (or noodles of choice)
- 2 soft-boiled eggs, halved (optional)
- 1 tbsp peanut rayu
- 2 spring onions, cut into strips
How to make Tahini Ramen
- For the broth, bring the stock to the boil, add the shiitakes, ginger and kombu (if using) and simmer for 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and leave to steep.
- Meanwhile, set a large heavy-based frying pan (skillet) over a medium–high heat and allow to get hot – around 5 minutes. Fish the rehydrated shiitake mushrooms from the broth, remove the stems and thinly slice.
- Coat the pan with oil, increase the heat to high, then add the leek and all the mushrooms (including the rehydrated shiitake). Do not move them around much – they will take around 10 minutes to get golden and crispy in places.
- Add a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper about 5–10 minutes into cooking.
- Fish out the ginger from the broth and discard, then add the soya milk, tamari, tahini and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer and allow to bubble for 3 minutes, then check the seasoning and add more tamari if desired.
- Add the udon noodles and take the pan off the heat, allowing them to warm through in the broth.
- To plate, use tongs to divide the noodles between two bowls, then ladle over the broth. Top each bowl with half of the crispy mushroom and leek mixture, then add two halves of the soft-boiled eggs (if using). Drizzle each bowl with half a tablespoon of the peanut chilli rayu and garnish with the spring onions.
About the author
Alexina Anatole started her career on the trading floor in London. But food was always a big focus. After many years of watching the show, she decided to apply for MasterChef, and reached the final. Her book Bitter is a celebration of the complexity of sharp, tart and acidic flavours. With ideas and recipes you won't have thought of before. MORE: See Alexina's Top Picks of Sous Chef ingredients.
