A delicious char siu ramen noodle soup, with lots of noodles and delicious homemade Char Siu pork to make it nice and hearty.
Have you ever had a soup that just seems to cure what ails you? This is one of those soups. A rich, soothing, spicy broth, combines with greens, lots of noodles and some Asian BBQ Char Siu Pork, to make it a bit more hearty.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Char Siu – This is also one of those double-duty recipes. If you make the Char Siu Pork, you can use it to make several meals, including this soup. I made my Char Siu (it’s quick and easy with a pork tenderloin and a few pantry items). Of course, if you are lucky enough to have ready access to pre-cooked and ready-to-use Char Siu, feel free to use that instead. Either way, beyond this soup, you can use your extra Char Siu on a steamed bun for a great sandwich or add it to a stir-fry. The extra Char Siu also freezes well.
Ramen noodles – For the noodles, use the inexpensive, off the shelf ramen noodles. I just throw out the broth package and use only the noodles. You’ll need 1 1/2 – 2 small packages for this soup, depending on how noodle-y you like your soup. Be sure to have extra broth on hand if you will be letting this soup sit or refrigerating leftovers. The noodles will continue to soak up broth, so you may need to add more.
Recipe Tips
I’ve included a recipe below for a homemade Char Siu sauce. There are also Char Siu Sauces available in jars in the Asian section of the grocery store, if you want to go that route. I use a pork tenderloin here. It cooks up quickly and slices beautifully. Just be warned that it cooks with a sugary sauce in a really hot oven. It will smoke, so be sure to turn your exhaust fan on as soon as you put it in the oven.
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Get the Recipe: Char Siu Ramen Noodle Soup
Ingredients
For the Char Siu:
- 1 lb pork tenderloin
- 1/4 cup soy sauce, low sodium recommended
- 3 Tablespoons runny honey
- 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons hoisin Sauce
For the Ramen Soup:
- 4 green onions, chopped, (keeping the green and white parts separate)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, (or sambal oelek)
- 2 Tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
- 4 cups chicken broth, (plus a bit more to thin if soup will sit)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 Tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce, low sodium recommended
- 5-7 oz ramen noodles , (1 1/2 - 2 small packages)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- For the Char Siu: Prepare pork tenderloin by removing the silver skin. Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine. Place pork in a plastic ziploc bag and pour sauce ingredients into bag. Remove air, seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- When ready to cook, preheat oven to 475° with rack in centre of oven. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and spray with cooking spray. Place pork tenderloin on prepared baking sheet and brush with some sauce. Cook for 15-25 minutes (depending on the size of your pork tenderloin), basting with sauce every 5 minutes or so, until pork reaches at least 145 ° in the thickest part. (*NOTE, turn on your exhaust fan as soon as you put it in the oven. It will smoke!)
- Remove from oven and let cool at room temperature for 15 minutes or so to rest. Put on a plate, then cover loosely with foil and refrigerate until completely cooled. When cooled completely, with a very sharp knife, cut pork tenderloin into thin slices crosswise. Refrigerate to use later in soup. (Extras can be frozen).
- To prepare soup: In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the white part of the onions, the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until softened and fragrant. Add the chicken and beef broths, fish sauce, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-high. Add the noodles (broken in half suggested, so the noodles aren't too lonand cook, stirring to break up noodles for about 3 minutes or until tender. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper. (You can also add a bit more heat here, to your taste, with additional sambal oelek or Sriracha)
- Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with the warm Char Siu (if I made ahead, I microwave for 15-20 seconds), the green part of the onions and the chopped cilantro. Serve with lime wedges, for drizzling into soup.
Notes
More Asian Inspired Soup Recipes to Love!
Hi! I’m Jennifer, a home cook schooled by trial and error and almost 40 years of getting dinner on the table! I love to share my favourite recipes, both old and new, together with lots of tips and tricks to hopefully help make your home cooking enjoyable, stress free, rewarding and of course, delicious!
We loved this soup. It was a bit too spicy for me but I added more broth. It is a relaxing soup.
So glad you enjoyed it, Liza! And thankfully, spicy is easily adjustable next time :)
Oh man, there is absolutely nothing more comforting than a big bowl of ramen—especially when you’re feeling bait under the weather. This seems like the perfect medicine to this cold I can’t seem to get over!
Thanks Rachael. Yes it would be perfect for you. I suggest a double dose of the hot sauce, too!
This is pure comfort in a bowl! Jason and I go to a ramen date once every 2 weeks but now I definitely have to do the homemade version!
Thanks Chung-Ah. Yes, once the Char Siu is made, this soup comes together quickly at home.
I am craving comfort at the moment so this soup looks perfect!
It’s great comfort food, Laura!
You are speaking my language with a bowl of noodles and Asian flavors!! Oh yes, please. This is a good method for char siu, so simple! I’ll have to try it. I love using those noodles (without the packets)…. they are, per ounce, cheaper than a lot of other noodle varieties so why not :) Sounds so comforting and delicious!
Thanks Sophie. In a perfect world, I’d grill the char siu, but our BBQ is tucked away for the winter, so the hot oven has to do.
I never ate ramen noodles when I was at university, so never had a chance to get sick of them :) I like the texture in soup and as you say, can’t beat them for value!
There is nothing like char siu and I’ve never made it myself… Definitely trying soon–hang tight, smoke detector!
Gorgeous photos, too!
Thanks so much, Danguole. I think once you make it once, you’ll find yourself making it often. It’s handy to have some in the freezer. Only down side is that smoke thing. Thankfully, it doesn’t cook too long, so it’s a short term pain.
this looks amazing. can’t wait to try it out.
Thanks so much, Amy. Enjoyed it for dinner last night and it really hit the spot!
I can’t wait to make this. I’m planning it for later this week when we have some cold weather coming through Southwest Florida (getting down in the 40s at night. cold is a relative term – lol.) My family loves Ramen, but I’m not thrilled about those seasoning packets. Thanks!
It will hit the spot, Andrea. Perfect for a cold spell :) I’m not a fan of those seasoning packets either. Way too much sodium and who knows what else!