There’s something so deeply comforting and vibrant about a bowl filled with warm broth, tender noodles, and umami-packed mushrooms. That’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Spicy Miso Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe—it’s my go-to when I want a dish that’s rich, hearty, yet bright with a little kick of heat.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Miso Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Spicy Miso Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Spicy Miso Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Making this Spicy Miso Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe is like inviting the cozy vibes of a ramen shop right into your kitchen. I love that it balances spice and umami with fresh ingredients and is surprisingly quick to pull together when you want something special but don’t have hours to spare.
- Umami-packed broth: The combination of miso paste and shiitake mushrooms creates a deeply flavorful base that feels truly comforting.
- Perfect heat level: The hot chili oil adds just the right amount of spice without overpowering the delicate flavors.
- Easy and quick: Ready in about 40 minutes, it’s a great weeknight option that doesn’t skimp on taste.
- Customizable: Whether you want to swap proteins or add veggie variations, this recipe adapts beautifully to your preferences.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Spicy Miso Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe brings together simple, fresh ingredients that each play a special role. From the savory ground meat (or alternatives) to the silky ramen noodles and the tang from rice vinegar — it’s all about balance.
- Ground chicken or pork: Adds richness and protein without overwhelming the broth’s subtle flavors.
- Shiiltake mushrooms: Their meaty texture and earthy notes give the soup authentic umami depth.
- Shallots, garlic, ginger: Aromatics that awaken the flavor profile and create warmth.
- White miso paste: The heart of the broth, giving it salty-sweet complexity.
- Soy sauce and rice vinegar: Provide salty balance and a mild tang to brighten the bowl.
- Hot chili oil: The gentle kick that brings spice and aroma to the dish.
- Low sodium broth: Keeps the soup flavorful but lets the other ingredients shine.
- Dry ramen noodles: The chewy, satisfying base to soak up the broth.
- Sweet corn: Offers a juicy, sweet contrast that pairs beautifully with heat.
- Soft-boiled eggs, green onions, sesame seeds: Classic garnishes that add texture and freshness.
Make It Your Way
I’ve played around with this Spicy Miso Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe quite a bit over time, and honestly, it’s fun to adapt it depending on your mood or pantry. Maybe you prefer a veggie-packed version or want to dial up the heat — it totally welcomes personalization.
- Vegetarian Variation: I sometimes swap the meat for crumbled tempeh or firm tofu, which soaks up the flavorful broth beautifully and keeps things lighter.
- Boosting Veggies: You can toss in bok choy, spinach, or sliced carrots for extra color and nutrition.
- More Heat: I like drizzling extra chili oil or adding a pinch of red chili flakes if I'm craving a spicier kick.
- Brothier Soup: Adding an extra cup or two of broth makes it feel more expansive, especially if you want more slurping satisfaction.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Miso Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Meat or Protein
Heat your stock pot over medium heat and add a splash of cooking oil. Once warm, add your ground chicken, pork, or vegetarian substitute like crumbled tempeh. Using a wooden spoon, break it into small pieces while it browns evenly, about 4–5 minutes. Cooking it properly here builds flavor, so don’t rush! Once done, transfer it to a bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Mushrooms and Aromatics
In the same pot, add a little more oil if needed, then your shiitake mushrooms. Cook them 5 minutes until they’re tender and golden—it’s worth waiting for that toasted aroma. Next, stir in the minced shallots, garlic, and fresh ginger, cooking for another 2–3 minutes. The kitchen will start smelling amazing here, a good sign!
Step 3: Build the Broth
Now stir in the white miso paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and hot chili oil. These ingredients come together to create a balanced broth — salty, tangy, and spicy. Pour in about 6 cups of your low sodium broth and bring the mixture up to a boil. If you prefer a soup with extra brothiness, I often add 1 or 2 more cups here. Once boiling, reduce to a gentle simmer for 20 minutes to let those flavors meld beautifully.
Step 4: Cook the Noodles and Finish the Soup
Bring the broth back to a boil and add your ramen noodles, cooking for about 3 minutes or until just al dente. Then, stir the browned meat back in along with the sweet corn. This step blends the heartiness with a hint of sweetness that cuts through the spice.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Ladle the ramen into bowls and top each with a soft-boiled egg half, a sprinkle of thinly sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds. For those who like it hotter, I’m all for drizzling on extra chili oil right before slurping!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few little tricks that make this Spicy Miso Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe stand out. I want to share these so you get it just right the first time—you’ll thank me when you taste that perfectly balanced, cozy bowl.
- Perfect Soft-Boiled Eggs: I always time my eggs in boiling water for exactly 7 minutes and then immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking. The yolk stays soft but not runny—just perfect on your ramen.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: When sautéing mushrooms, give them space in the pan so they can brown nicely rather than steam, which keeps their texture and flavor.
- Adjust Your Spice Gradually: If you’re unsure about spice, start with 1 tablespoon of chili oil and add more to your bowl later. This way, everyone can customize their own heat level.
- Use Good Quality Miso: The flavor of your broth depends heavily on your miso paste. I like to buy fresh white miso from an Asian market for the best results.
How to Serve Spicy Miso Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a creature of habit when it comes to garnishes—I love a few green onions sliced thin for freshness, soft-boiled eggs for creaminess, and toasted sesame seeds that add a subtle crunch and nutty flavor. Sometimes I throw in a little nori if I have it on hand, which adds a wonderful oceanic note.
Side Dishes
To complement this spicy miso ramen, I often serve simple Japanese pickles or a light cucumber salad for some cooling contrast. Also, a side of steamed edamame or gyoza dumplings works beautifully if you want something more substantial.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve brought this ramen to cozy dinner parties by serving everything deconstructed — noodles, broth, toppings all separately — so friends can build their perfect bowl. It’s a fun interactive way to enjoy the warmth and flavors, especially in cooler months.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your ramen, store leftover broth and cooked ingredients separately from the noodles in airtight containers. The noodles tend to get soggy if left soaking, so a quick reheat with freshly boiled noodles tastes best.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the broth and mushroom mixture myself without issue, but I don’t recommend freezing cooked noodles or soft-boiled eggs as their texture will suffer. When you want a quick meal later, just thaw the broth and reheat on the stove.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the broth gently on the stove until hot. Cook fresh ramen noodles separately to maintain chewiness. Combine in the bowl, add your reheated protein, and finish with fresh garnishes for the best experience.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Use crumbled tempeh or firm tofu in place of ground meat and swap chicken broth for vegetable broth. You’ll still get a rich, flavorful bowl packed with umami.
Soft-boiled eggs are ideal here. Cook them in boiling water for 7 minutes, then transfer immediately to an ice bath. This gives you a creamy yolk that complements the spicy broth beautifully.
Definitely! The broth can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge, which actually helps the flavors to develop even more. Just reheat gently before adding noodles and toppings.
The level of spice is moderate thanks to the hot chili oil. You can easily adjust it by adding less or more chili oil based on your heat preference, or offer extra oil at the table for guests to customize.
Final Thoughts
This Spicy Miso Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe is one of those dishes that comforts me on chilly evenings and impresses guests without a fuss. It’s a balance of deep, savory flavors and lively spice that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making it as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing it—so grab your ingredients and get ready for some delicious kitchen magic.
Print
Spicy Miso Ramen with Shiitake Mushrooms Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Spicy Miso Ramen recipe features a rich, umami-packed broth with ground chicken or pork, shiitake mushrooms, and sweet corn, balanced by aromatic shallots, garlic, ginger, and a hint of chili oil. Ready in under 45 minutes, it is an easy, comforting bowl of homemade ramen topped with soft-boiled eggs, green onions, and toasted sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Protein and Broth
- 8 oz. ground chicken or pork (or crumbled tempeh or tofu for vegetarian)
- 6 to 8 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 6 to 8 oz. thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms, stems removed
- ½ cup minced shallots
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp. freshly grated ginger
- 1 cup sweet corn (frozen, thawed, canned, or fresh)
- Thinly sliced green onions for garnish
Seasonings and Condiments
- 2 Tbsp. neutral cooking oil
- 3 Tbsp. white miso paste
- 2 Tbsp. lower-sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. hot chili oil
- Toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Noodles and Eggs
- 2 packs dry ramen noodles (seasoning packs discarded)
- 3 soft-boiled eggs, halved
Instructions
- Cook the meat: Heat a stock pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, lightly grease and add the ground chicken or pork (or vegetarian alternative). Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, breaking the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon until fully cooked. Transfer cooked meat to a bowl and set aside.
- Sauté mushrooms and aromatics: Add cooking oil to the same pot, then add the thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms. Cook for 5 minutes until golden and tender. Stir in the minced shallots, garlic, and freshly grated ginger. Cook for 2 to 3 more minutes until fragrant.
- Add seasonings and broth: Stir in white miso paste, lower-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, and hot chili oil until combined. Pour in 6 cups of low sodium broth and bring the mixture to a boil. For a brothier ramen, add 1 to 2 additional cups of broth. Reduce heat to medium-low and gently simmer for 20 minutes.
- Cook the noodles: Bring the broth back to a boil. Add the dry ramen noodles and cook until al dente, about 3 minutes or according to package instructions.
- Combine and finish: Stir the cooked meat and sweet corn into the broth and noodles. Ladle the ramen into bowls and top each serving with 1 soft-boiled egg half, a handful of thinly sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds. Drizzle additional chili oil on top if extra spice is desired.
Notes
- This recipe highlights an umami-rich broth complemented by shiitake mushrooms and sweet corn to balance the spiciness.
- Ready in under 45 minutes, this homemade ramen offers comforting and flavorful results with simple ingredients.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute meat with crumbled tempeh or tofu and use vegetable broth.
- Soft-boiled eggs can be prepared ahead of time for convenience.
- Adjust the level of heat by varying the amount of chili oil used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2.5 cups
- Calories: 492 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1650 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
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