Mazesoba Ramen

When thinking about ramen, the first thing comes to mind is a bowl of noodles, few slices pork chashu in thick broth. But have you ever tried dry ramen? Mazesoba (まぜそば), also known as "mixed soba," is a soupless ramen dish packed with flavors and hearty toppings.

I first discovered mazesoba back in 2017 at a small noodle stall in Novena, Singapore. The bowl was generously topped with full of spring onions, covered the noodles, a raw egg yolk nestled in the center, and a sprinkle of shredded nori. One bite, and I was hooked. After watching youtube videos about recipes, I also learnt that this dish originated from Nagoya, Japan, and has since gained popularity in Taiwan as well. The beauty of mazesoba lies in its rich toppings: savory minced pork, garlic chives, spring onions, nori, and that silky egg yolk that binds everything together.

Today, I’m making this dish at home, adding a spicy twist with doubanjiang (fermented chili bean paste) for a deeper flavour, slightly spicy. The raw egg yolk might not be for everyone, but it adds texture to the dish. Plus, when mixed into the hot noodles and pork, it gently cooks, creating a silky, rich sauce that coats every strand perfectly

Ingredients: ( Serve 2)

For the noodles:

• 200g thick ramen noodles ( i used dry ramen)

• 2 tbsp sesame oil ( or more)

• 2 tbsp Japanese soy sauce

For the spicy minced pork:

• 200g ground pork

• 1-2 tbsp doubanjiang (fermented chili bean paste), up to taste

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp mirin

• 1 tsp sake (optional)

• 1 tsp sugar

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• cooking oil

Toppings:

• 1 egg yolk

• chopped green onions ( as many as you like)

• 1 sheet nori, shredded

• toasted sesame seed

• Chilli oil ( optional)
  (Since I don’t have Japanese chilli oil, I replaced with Lao Man Gai)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the spicy minced pork

   • Heat a pan over medium heat, add cooking oil in

   • Add minced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant

   • Add ground pork and cook until its browned.

   • Stir in doubanjiang, soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar

   • Add a little bit of chicken stock, or water ( to make sauce)

   • Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the pork. Remove from heat.

2. Cook the noodles

   • Boil the ramen noodles according to package instructions.

   • Drain and rinse under cold water briefly to remove excess starch.

3. Assemble the bowl

   • Mix sesame oil+ soy sauce in serving bow, add cooked ramen in, mix it well

   • Top the ramen bowl with spicy minced pork, green onions, shredded nori, and sesame seeds.

   • Place a raw egg yolk in the center.

   • Drizzle chili oil

4. Mix & enjoy

   • Before eating, mix everything thoroughly so the egg yolk coats the noodles and blends with the toppings.