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Iekei Ramen: Tonkotsu Broth With Shoyu Tare

August 5, 2020 by Dennis Leave a Comment

Iekei ramen was invented by a shop in Yokohama, called Yoshimuraya in 1974. What makes this ramen unique? It was one of the first to blend different styles of broth, which has become more commonplace today (I have plenty in my ramen guide).

Tonkotsu (pork bone) broth is mixed with shoyu (soy sauce) to create a really rich soup. Combine that with thick noodles, that the broth sticks to as you slurp. Top it off with some chicken fat for an insanely delicious soup.

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A bowl of Iekei ramen

Iekei Ramen Broth

I went with a different method for making tonkotsu broth than last time, with my Hakata ramen. Before, I used a boil twice method with only pork bones.

Basically, you boil the bones on high heat for about 15 minutes, dump out the water, and rinse off the bones. This gets rid of most of the scum, but you lose some of the flavor this way. So, some ramen shops use a different method.

For Iekei ramen, I tried a new method. I soaked the bones in water overnight, which draws most of the blood out. Dump that water out and add new water to the pot. This way, you don’t have to boil twice, but you will have to scoop scum off the top occasionally.

  • Soaking pork bones in water
    Pork bones soaked overnight
  • Scum forming on boiling pork bones
    Scum forming on top of the pork broth
  • Finished pork broth
    Finished pork broth

I used a mixture of pork bones and trotters (feet), which will make the broth rich with collagen. How long should you boil for? The longer the better. The minimum is about 6 hours, every hour you go past that will increase the pork flavor and how much broth you will get. During the last hour of boiling, let the water level start falling to concentrate the broth even more.

You can add other ingredients to the broth as well. Leeks, garlic, and ginger are all common additions at ramen shops.


Iekei Ramen Toppings

The toppings I used for this Iekei ramen aren’t uncommon, but I made them differently than I have in the past. I’m especially a fan of marinating the soft-boiled eggs.

Soft Boiled Eggs

For a regular soft boiled egg, you boil the egg for 6 minutes. However, a lot of ramen shops take their eggs to the next level. After shelling the eggs, they marinate them in a soy sauce based marinade for up to a day. The sauce gets absorbed by the egg, and changes the color and taste. For my sauce, I reused the sauce I braised the chashu pork with.

Chashu Pork

Usually I roast my chashu pork, but the average Japanese kitchen doesn’t have a microwave. So, I went with a different method, braising it on the stove. First, sear the pork on every side in a skillet. Then, put it in a saucepan with your marinade. I used a mixture of soy sauce, sake, mirin, salt, and palm sugar (brown sugar works too).

Cook the pork for 15 minutes, then flip it and cook the other side for about 10 minutes (will depend on the size of the cut of pork). Take the pork out and set the marinade aside. You can use it to marinate your eggs as well. Also, since it is mainly soy sauce, it works as the tare for the ramen too.

Before serving the Iekei ramen, slice the pork thinly, and sear it on each side in a skillet. I found this method makes the chashu taste like a thick, flavorful bacon.

Chicken Fat

Sometimes, ramen chefs will add a flavorful oil to the ramen. In this case, it’s chicken fat. You can buy chicken fat in a jar, or you can buy the raw thing and fry it for a bit to get the liquid. Once you have the chicken fat, fry some scallions and garlic in the fat to add more flavor. Take them out before adding the fat to the ramen.

Spinach

You can boil or fry the spinach. Try to not overcook it, you want the spinach to keep it’s slightly bitter profile. I think it contrasts nicely with the thick and rich broth.


For something besides ramen, check out my dumpling guide or my curry guide. Both have over 100 recipes from all over the world! Or, if you’re in the mood for something sweet, check out my list of Chinese dessert recipes.

A bowl of Iekei ramen

Iekei Style Ramen

Dennis
A tonkotsu and shoyu broth with thick noodles, Iekei style ramen from Yokohama.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 d
Cook Time 8 hrs
Total Time 1 d 8 hrs
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 2
Calories 1332 kcal

Ingredients
  

Tonkotsu Broth

  • 3 lbs pork bones
  • 2 lbs pork trotters (split in half)
  • water
  • 1 leek (optional)

Chashu Pork

  • 1 lb pork belly
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
  • 1¼ cup sake
  • 1 tbsp mirin
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar (or palm sugar or honey)

Toppings

  • ½ cup spinach (fried or boiled)
  • 1 green onion (sliced)
  • 2 eggs (softboiled)
  • 2 packages ramen noodles

Seasoned Oil

  • 1½ tbsp chicken fat
  • 1 green onion (sliced)
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)

Instructions
 

Tonkotsu Broth

  • Put the bones and trotters in a large pot and cover with water. Put a lid on and put in the fridge overnight.
    Soaking pork bones in water
  • Next day, dump out the water and cover the bones with fresh water. Put pot on the stove on high heat. Gray scum will occasionally rise to the surface, scoop it out. Stir the bones every so often so they don't stick to the bottom. Keep adding water as it evaporates to keep the bones completely covered.
    Scum forming on boiling pork bones
  • Keep boiling for a minimum of 8 hours. An hour before taking the broth off the heat, stop adding additional water. Also, add optional ingredients like leeks or garlic now, if desired.
    Finished pork broth

Chashu Pork

  • Sear the pork belly on all sides in a skillet. Remove, and put in a saucepan. Mix the other ingredients and add to the saucepan. Cook on medium for 15 minutes, then flip the pork onto the other side. Cook for another 8 minutes. Remove from saucepan. Save liquid.
    Chashu pork belly being braised in a pot
  • Put eggs in a container with most of the liquid from braising the pork. Marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

Seasoned Oil

  • Prepare noodles according to directions on package.
  • Slice pork thinly and sear on both sides, about 1 minute each.
  • Heat chicken fat in skillet on medium heat. Add green onion and garlic, fry for a few minutes. Remove veggies from oil, pour into your ramen bowls.
  • Add 2 tbsp of the shoyu sauce from braising the pork to each bowl. Add 2 cups of tonkotsu broth to each bowl.
  • Divide noodles between each bowl. Add slices of chashu pork, sliced green onion, spinach, and egg. Enjoy!
    A bowl of Iekei ramen

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 1332kcalCarbohydrates: 84gProtein: 28gFat: 87gSaturated Fat: 33gCholesterol: 253mgSodium: 2565mgPotassium: 610mgFiber: 3gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 1802IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 107mgIron: 6mg
Keyword chashu pork, eggs, Iekei ramen, pork belly, ramen, spinach, tonkotsu ramen
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Filed Under: Dinner Tagged With: eggs, Iekei ramen, pork belly, ramen, spinach, tonkotsu ramen

About Dennis

When I'm not experimenting in the kitchen, I enjoy rock climbing and acting. Meme expert. Anime connoisseur.

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