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A close-up of a delicious bowl of spicy ramen with noodles, bok choy, a sliced soft-boiled egg, and green onions.

Spicy Garlic Ramen with Crispy Pork Belly

This vibrant and intensely flavored ramen features a rich, spicy garlic broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and irresistible crispy pork belly. It's a comforting yet exciting meal that's surprisingly achievable at home.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese
Calories: 680
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Crispy Pork Belly
  • 8 oz Pork Belly skin-on or skin-off, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce low sodium
  • 1 tsp Mirin
  • 1/2 tsp Sesame Oil
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • Pinch White Pepper
For the Spicy Garlic Broth
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced, divided
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Ginger grated
  • 4 cups Chicken or Pork Broth low sodium
  • 1-2 tbsp Chili Garlic Sauce or Sambal Oelek, to taste
  • 2 tbsp Soy Sauce low sodium
  • 1 tbsp Mirin
  • 1 tsp Rice Vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp Sesame Oil to finish broth
  • 1/2 tsp Brown Sugar optional, to balance heat
For the Ramen Noodles & Toppings
  • 2 packs Ramen Noodles fresh or instant, discard seasoning packets
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 2 stalks Green Onions sliced, for garnish
  • 1 sheet Nori cut into strips, for garnish
  • 1/4 cup Corn Kernels canned or frozen, optional
  • Pinch Chili Threads optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Pot
  • Small saucepan
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Method
 

Prepare Crispy Pork Belly
  1. In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp mirin, 1/2 tsp sesame oil, garlic powder, and white pepper. Toss the pork belly slices in this marinade and let sit for 10 minutes while you prepare other ingredients.
  2. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the pork belly in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden brown. If using a frying pan, cook over medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes until crispy on all sides.
  3. Once cooked, remove the pork belly and slice into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
Prepare Soft-Boiled Eggs
  1. Bring a small saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Carefully lower the eggs into the boiling water and cook for exactly 6.5-7 minutes for a jammy yolk. Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Once cooled, peel carefully and slice in half.
Make the Spicy Garlic Broth
  1. In a large pot, heat 1 tsp of neutral oil (not listed but assumed, e.g., vegetable oil) over medium heat. Add the minced garlic (reserve about 1/2 tsp for garnish if desired) and grated ginger. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  2. Pour in the chicken/pork broth, chili garlic sauce (start with 1 tbsp and add more later if you prefer spicier), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp mirin, 1 tsp rice vinegar, and brown sugar (if using). Bring the broth to a simmer and let it cook for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  3. Stir in 1/2 tsp sesame oil at the end. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed (more chili garlic for spice, soy sauce for saltiness).
Cook Ramen Noodles & Assemble
  1. While the broth simmers, cook the ramen noodles according to package instructions in a separate pot of boiling water. Drain well once cooked.
  2. To assemble, divide the cooked noodles between two large ramen bowls. Ladle the hot spicy garlic broth over the noodles.
  3. Arrange the crispy pork belly, halved soft-boiled eggs, sliced green onions, nori strips, and corn kernels (if using) on top of each bowl. Garnish with a pinch of chili threads or reserved minced garlic if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your Spicy Garlic Ramen!

Notes

For an even richer broth, consider using homemade pork bone broth. You can also add other vegetables like baby bok choy or mushrooms to the broth while it simmers for extra texture and nutrition. If you don't have an air fryer, pan-frying the pork belly until crispy works perfectly. Adjust the chili garlic sauce to your preferred spice level.