You won’t believe this ramen came out of your own kitchen! It’s got a rich, creamy, homemade pork bone broth, and the flavors hit all the right notes. This is a labor of love, and it is worth every, single second. Add some ground pork, noodles, and your favorite toppings, and you’ve got a bowl that rivals your favorite ramen joint.

Tonkotsu Ramen Recipe

Anyone who loves a good bowl of ramen will really appreciate a bowl of this soup. It’s great for impressing guests or just treating yourself and your family. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll want to put it on repeat. Which can be pretty easy if you make a giant batch of tonkotsu broth and then freeze it for later!

If you don’t have hours to passively watch a pot simmer, I feel ya. There are some pretty great tonkotsu concentrates on the market these days. This is my favorite, and works great in a pinch. Here’s another great one, in case the first one is out of stock. I’ve personally tried both of those, and while I obviously prefer my homemade version, I wouldn’t turn down a bowl made with those concentrates even on my worst day.

If I know anything, I know good ramen. I spent 3 years traveling the country for work, and every single city I stopped in, I hunted down the best ramen they had to offer and ordered a bowl.

If there ever was a soup you could truly make a meal out of, ramen is it.

My tonkotsu ramen is made from a rich, homemade pork bone broth, combined with flavorings like tahini, soy sauce, togarashi, miso paste, salt, fried garlic, spicy chili oil, etc. It all depends on what I have on hand and what I’m in the mood for. Then we add ramen noodles and a whole variety of toppings to make the bowl of broth into a full meal.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

• Big Flavor, Minimal Time – Rich, pork-forward broth with just 30 minutes of cooking if you’ve pre-made the ramen broth or use a pre-made version.
• Customizable – Add what you love: eggs, mushrooms, corn, bamboo shoots.
• Restaurant-Level Results – That depth and complexity without a ton of effort.
• Spice It How You Like It – Chili garlic paste and sriracha are both optional.
• Great for Leftovers – The broth and pork can be prepped ahead and reheated.

Try my Spicy Tonkotsu Miso Ramen Recipe!

Recipe Shopping List

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Ground Pork – Adds a savory base; cooks quickly and holds flavor well.
• Sesame Oil – Brings a nutty aroma and depth to the pork mixture.
• Garlic – Sharpens the flavor and gives the pork more bite.
• Ginger – Freshens the dish with a subtle zing.
• Salt – Simple seasoning to enhance everything else.
• White Pepper – Milder than black pepper, with a slightly floral note.
• Sriracha (Optional) – Adds heat and a touch of vinegar.
• Tonkotsu Broth – Rich, creamy pork broth; use store-bought or homemade.
• Soy Sauce – Salty and umami-rich; balances the broth.
• Mirin – Slightly sweet rice wine; balances salt and adds depth.
• Miso Paste (Optional) – Adds funk and body to the broth.
• Chili Garlic Paste (Optional) – Brings heat and complexity.
• Ramen Noodles – Use fresh or frozen if possible for best texture.
• Soft-Boiled Egg – Creamy yolk adds richness.
• Green Onions – Fresh crunch and a bit of sharpness.
• Corn – Sweet pop balances out the salty broth.
• Bamboo Shoots – Adds texture and that classic ramen shop flavor.
• Mushrooms – Earthy and meaty; shiitake or enoki work well.

Serve with some Spicy Edamame!

How To Make Tonkotsu Ramen At Home

This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

This method is assuming your ramen broth is already made. Since it takes such a long simmer to make it from scratch, that is best done the day before you want to eat.

1. Cook The Pork – Brown ground pork with sesame oil, garlic, ginger, salt, pepper, and sriracha if using.
2. Build The Broth – Heat tonkotsu broth with soy sauce, mirin, and optional miso paste and chili garlic paste.
3. Prep The Noodles – Cook or reheat your ramen noodles.
4. Assemble The Bowls – Add noodles and a soft-boiled egg to serving bowls.
5. Finish And Serve – Pour hot broth over the top, add your favorite toppings, and serve immediately.

Make some Fried Dumplings!

Love Smoke? Try This!

I have a Smoked Tonkotsu Ramen Broth that is pretty amazing. It is made in the pressure cooker and features bones that have been smoked on the pellet grill prior to going into the broth. 

If you are a fan of a little smoke, this is a really interesting and complex broth to try. You can really see the difference in the broth coloring in the photo below. 

Chashu Pork Belly is a must for a proper ramen!

FAQ

This Beef Udon Soup is delicious, too!

More Asian-Inspired Recipes

• Asian Cucumber Salad
• Spicy Teriyaki Black Cod
• Salmon Nigiri Recipe
• Spicy Ground Pork Udon
• Pork Egg Rolls