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Bowl of black garlic ramen with jammy soft egg halves, nori, scallions, and glossy dark broth on slate surface

Black Garlic Ramen with Soft Egg

A rich, fermented black garlic ramen with soy-marinated soft eggs, tender noodles, and a clean dashi-soy broth. Ready in 40 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

Black Garlic Tare
  • 10 cloves (about 40 g) black garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce (shoyu) tamari for gluten-free
  • 1 tbsp mirin
Soy-Marinated Soft Eggs
  • 4 large eggs straight from fridge
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp mirin
  • 4 tbsp water
Ramen Broth
  • 1.5 liters dashi stock (from instant dashi powder or homemade) use kombu dashi for vegetarian
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp sake dry sherry as substitute
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 500 ml chicken or vegetable stock adds body to the dashi base
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil canola or sunflower
  • 4 stalks scallions (white parts for broth, green tops for garnish)
Noodles and Toppings
  • 320 g fresh or dried ramen noodles about 80 g per portion
  • 4 nori sheets
  • 80 g bean sprouts, rinsed optional
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds for garnish
  • to taste shichimi togarashi optional, for heat

Method
 

Make the Black Garlic Tare
  1. Combine the black garlic cloves, sesame oil, soy sauce, and mirin in a small blender or use an immersion blender. Blend until smooth and paste-like, about 30 seconds. Set aside.
Soft-Boil and Marinate the Eggs
  1. Bring a small saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Lower the eggs in gently with a slotted spoon and cook for exactly 6 minutes.
  2. Transfer eggs immediately to an ice bath and cool for 5 minutes. Peel carefully under cold running water.
  3. Mix soy sauce, mirin, and water in a small bowl or zip-lock bag. Add the peeled eggs and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 1 hour, turning occasionally so the color is even.
Build the Broth
  1. Heat the neutral oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the white parts of the scallions and cook for 2 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
  2. Pour in the dashi stock and chicken or vegetable stock. Add the soy sauce, sake, and grated ginger. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat. Stir in the black garlic tare one tablespoon at a time, tasting as you go. Start with 2 tablespoons, then adjust to your preferred depth. The broth should be savory, slightly sweet, and have a faint molasses note.
Cook the Noodles
  1. Bring a large stockpot of unsalted water to a boil. Cook the ramen noodles according to package instructions, usually 2 to 3 minutes for fresh and 4 to 5 minutes for dried, until tender but still springy.
  2. Drain through a fine-mesh sieve and divide evenly among 4 warmed bowls.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Ladle the hot black garlic broth over the noodles in each bowl.
  2. Halve the marinated eggs lengthwise and place one egg (two halves) on top of each bowl, cut side up so the jammy yolk is visible.
  3. Top with sliced green scallion tops, bean sprouts, a sheet of nori tucked against the side of the bowl, a pinch of sesame seeds, and a small shake of shichimi togarashi if using. Serve immediately.

Notes

The black garlic tare can be made up to 5 days ahead and stored in a sealed jar in the fridge. Stir it back into warm broth off the heat for the best flavor.