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This simple, warming Crockpot Crispy Pork Ramen is for those nights when you’re craving your favorite bowl of ramen, but want to stay in and be cozy at home. All cooked in a crock pot, instant pot, or make the stove-top version. Whatever works for you! This dish is flavored with miso, chili paste, and Chinese 5 spice. It’s creamy, spicy, and filled with plenty of ramen noodles. Each bowl is topped with crispy caramelized pork (or chicken). It’s one of the best bowls of homemade ramen, even better than a restaurant!
I’m not sure I could think of a better Monday in December recipe. This has to be one of my favorite bowls of ramen yet. I can’t wait to share it with my family soon! Being here in New York, I am craving this homemade bowl. It’s chilly here this week! And while I am used to cold weather, the damp cold here in New York City is just a different kind of cold. It’s bone-chilling, and when you add the wind, it’s biting.
Regardless, it’s wonderful to be here. And while I can definitely get an incredible bowl of ramen here in the city (I actually think I will), I much prefer homemade.
This recipe is full of so many yummy flavors. You just have to love it!
Just like a couple of other ramen recipes I have on the site, my brothers really inspired this one. They LOVE ramen. They’ve had the privilege of enjoying real-deal ramen straight from Japan on multiple occasions. So they really know how to direct me when it comes to creating a new recipe.
Recently, they’ve been loving a more traditional (but not traditional, tradition), pork ramen. They get theirs with caramelized pork and shiitake mushrooms, then spicy jalapeños on top with lots of green onions.
This sounded like such a wonderful December recipe to feed the family while they’re all in town for the holidays. I knew I needed to make it.
Details
As I mentioned, the boys have been enjoying pork ramen, so I used a pork butt for this recipe. You can use a pork butt or roast, or just use some skinless chicken thighs/breasts. Both options are equally great.
For the crockpot, layer thinly sliced onions on the bottom of your crockpot. Layering the onions on the bottom is important. They’ll cook quicker and become a little caramelized.
Then, everything else goes into the pot. Tamari (or you can use low sodium soy sauce), miso paste, chili paste, and then my favorite, Chinese 5 spice. Chinese 5 spice is a warming blend of Chinese cinnamon, fennel seed, star anise, and cloves. It sounds different to add this to such a savory recipe, but trust me, it really works.
For the chili paste, I use Gochujang, which is actually Korean chili paste. But it’s SO GOOD.
When everything is all together, slow cook this all day long. With a pork butt, the longer the better. If you use chicken, don’t cook longer than five or six hours tops.
When the soup has finished cooking, preheat the broiler to high, then drizzle the pork with honey. The honey helps caramelize the pork making it crispy and delicious. Broil until caramelized on top, about 5-8 minutes – watch carefully!
While the pork broils, mix coconut milk into the soup. This will tame the heat and give a creamier broth. Then add the dry ramen noodles.
For the actual ramen noodles, I love using Brown Rice and Millet Ramen noodles (which you can find at Whole Foods and in many grocery stores). These taste just like real-deal ramen noodles, but they’re much healthier, gluten-free, and vegan.
And of course, no bowl of ramen is complete without the toppings. After all, they’re the best part, right? I do soft-boiled eggs, plenty of green onions, candied jalapeños (my favorite topping right now), and lots of sesame chili oil. some other great toppings: fresh cilantro, sesame seeds, scallions, lime juice, and sriracha.
I’m especially excited to re-create this ramen for my family. My two younger brothers, Malachi and Red, are already looking forward to it. Can’t wait!!
It’s creamy but spicy, and the flavor is spot-on. The crispy pork makes for a rich, decadent bowl.
Looking for more warming winter soups? Here are a few to try:
Better For You Chicken and Spinach Ramen
Healthier Italian Wedding Soup with Lemon and Garlic
Lemony Garlic Chicken and Orzo Soup
Creamy Gnocchi Soup with Rosemary Bacon
Lastly, if you make this Crockpot Crispy Pork Ramen, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Crockpot Crispy Pork Ramen
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 319 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2-3 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2-3 pounds pork butt or 6 chicken thighs/breast
- 6-8 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons white miso paste
- 2-4 tablespoons chili paste (I use Gochujang)
- 1 tablespoon Chinese 5 spice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger
- 2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms
- 2-3 teaspoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 cup canned coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 4 squares ramen noodles
- soft or hard boiled eggs, for serving
- toasted nori sheets, candied jalapeños, green onions, and chili oil, for serving
Instructions
Crockpot
- 1. Layer the onions on the bottom of your crockpot. Add the pork butt/chicken, broth, tamari, miso paste, chili paste, Chinese 5 spice, ginger, and mushrooms. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. 2. Preheat the broiler to high. Remove the pork and place it onto a baking sheet. Break into a few chunks. Drizzle each chunk with honey. Broil until caramelized on top, about 5-8 minutes, but watch closely. 3. Meanwhile, crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Stir in the coconut milk and toasted sesame oil. Add the noodles and let cook, uncovered, for about 5 minutes.4. Ladle the broth, mushrooms, and noodles into bowls. Top with crispy pork. Top as desired with eggs, green onions, jalapeños, and chili oil. Serve immediately.
Instant Pot
- 1. Layer the onions on the bottom of your instant pot. Add the pork butt/chicken, broth, tamari, miso paste, chili paste, Chinese 5 spice, ginger, and mushrooms. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 60-70 minutes. Quick release the steam.2. Finish as directed above through step 2.
Stove
- 1. In a large soup pot set over medium heat, combine the onions with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the pork butt/chicken, broth, tamari, miso paste, chili paste, Chinese 5 spice, ginger, and mushrooms. Cover and cook over low heat for 3-5 hours or up to all day, adding water if needed to keep the pork covered. 2. Preheat the broiler to high. Remove the pork and place it onto a baking sheet. Break into a few chunks. Drizzle each with honey. Broil until caramelized on top, about 5-8 minutes, but watch closely. 3. Meanwhile, stir the coconut milk and toasted sesame oil into the soup pot. Add the noodles and let cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes.4. Ladle the broth, mushrooms, and noodles into bowls. Top with crispy pork. Top as desired with eggs, green onions, jalapeños, and chili oil. Serve immediately.
This post was originally published on December 12, 2022
Another amazing recipe! Tried it last weekend and will definitely be making this one a lot especially through the winter!
Hey Heather,
Happy Holidays!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! 🎄❄️
Can you substitute the coconut milk for something else?
Hey Courtney,
Totally, any other milk that you enjoy will work well for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
I love all your recipes. Huge flavor. I would love to make your homemade chili oil – is the recipe posted somewhere? Happy holidays!
Hey Tylene,
Happy Holidays!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! 🎄❄️
It was delicious! I used pork shoulder as I couldn’t find butt and substituted mushrooms with shiitake and oyster mushrooms. Will definitely be making again
Hey Alex,
Happy Holidays!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! 🎄❄️
Pork butt is shoulder.
This was the perfect dish for a cold night in! The broth was so flavorful and the pork just melted into the ramen! It was such a great weeknight dinner!
Hey Sarah,
Happy Holidays!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! 🎄❄️
This is going to be our Christmas dinner on this very very cold Christmas this year. Thank you for all your amazing recipes – I have followed forever and made dozens upon dozens – my fam is so grateful for this one especially!!
Hey Cameron,
Happy Wednesday!!❄️ So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! xT
I made this o er the weekend and it was a major hit with my family! I made it in my slow cooker. I did not have Chinese 5 star spice, so I looked it up and made my own. It was very easy to put together. Will be making this again!
Hey Sherryl,
Happy Holidays!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you!🎁🎅
This was so good… My family loved it. I had extra meat and made pulled pork with it which was awesome. Thank you!
On your IG story of the ramen you made homemade chili oil. Do you have a recipe for that?
Hey Nina,
Happy Wednesday!!❄️ So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it and sharing your feedback! Sure do, I just sauté garlic with sesame oil and chili flakes! xT
This was SO SO good! We added some spicy chili oil at the end and it was delightful. I was nervous smelling the cinnamon from the Chinese 5 Spice but I didn’t need to be – don’t I know to trust HBH yet! Ha – such a great recipe!
Hey Ashley,
Happy Holidays!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you!🎁🎅
Made this with chicken and it was so good. One of the best things is being able to cook everything in the crockpot.
Be sure to add the extras, the hard-boiled egg and green onion really do add something
Hey Dawn,
Happy Holidays!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it turned out well for you!🎁🎅
Wondering if my family doesn’t like the heat…how do I substitute and still add flavor. Thoughts?
Hey Peggy,
Thanks for giving this dish a try! I would either use less or just completely skip the chili paste next time. I hope this helps! xT
The photo shows a bay leaf but there’s none in the recipe. Can you confirm?
Thanks!
Hey Beth,
If you have a bay leaf and would like to add one, go for it! I hope this recipe turns out well for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
We just finished this, and I’m so happy that we’ll have a lot of leftovers! I can hardly wait to have it again tomorrow. The broth was so flavorful, and the pork was incredible. We added sliced green onion, torn nori sheets, and soft boiled eggs. It was every bit as good as our local ramen shop makes it, maybe better. We’ll definitely make this again!
Hey Ann,
Happy Monday!❄️🎄 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT
Also…I forgot the add the love. This gets 5 stars. Such flavorful broth!
Thanks again Sherryl:)
I could kiss you this is so good. So I’ll go with a chefs kiss. I can’t imagine any restaurant living up to how good this was. I will admit I do not care for anise or fennel, so I skipped the 5 spice. But that worked for me. Leftovers will be sent to my in-laws tomorrow. Can’t wait to hear what they think.
Hey Christine,
Happy Monday!❄️🎄 LOL I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT
Is the instant pot cook time the same for chicken as pork?
Hi Erin,
Yes, you can go ahead and do 60 minutes. Let me know how this recipe turns out, I hope you love it! xT
Could I use pork belly and cook it same length of time as pork butt
Hey Megan,
Sure, I bet that would be delicious! I hope this recipe turns out well for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xx