This tantanmen recipe is made up of a healthy, hearty, warm vegan ramen noodles soup packed with aromatic flavors, a balance of spice and creaminess, a hint of peanut butter, and protein-rich vegan mince for a delicious meat-free dinner! This Japanese take on the popular Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for any ramen lover!
Watch the video in the post for visual instructions.Add the textured vegetable protein to a medium bowl and pour in the hot vegetable broth (or water). Let it sit for about 5 minutes to rehydrate, then drain and squeeze out the liquid.
Heat the chili oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the garlic and ginger for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. Also, stir in the spices (cumin, salt, pepper), and the soy sauce (or tamari). Turn off the heat and set aside.
Noodles and toppings
Fill a large pot with water (and some salt) and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, add the bok choy leaves and cook them for about 2 minutes until softened. Take them out with tongs or a fork and set aside.
Add the ramen noodles (or rice noodles) to the same boiling water and cook until al dente (they should be still chewy, not soft), then drain.
Finely chop the scallions and set them aside in a small bowl, along with the chili oil in a different bowl to garnish.
Soup
Heat the chili oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the garlic, ginger, and onion for a few minutes, stirring frequently. Add the tahini (or sesame paste), peanut butter, and rice vinegar (if using), then stir to combine.
Next, add the dairy-free milk and the vegetable broth and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to low-medium and let the soup simmer for a few minutes. Finally, add salt and pepper, plus optionally more soy sauce, rice vinegar, or spices to taste.
Assemble
Serve the cooked noodles in bowls, pour in the soup, and top with the bok choy, chopped scallions, and chili oil. Enjoy!
Notes
Adjust the heat level: To adjust how spicy this ramen is, adjust the amount of chili oil used. You can optionally substitute the chili oil for toasted sesame oil for a mild version.
Tahini vs.Chinese sesame paste: You can use either, based on what is available. However, the Chinese sesame paste uses raw sesame seeds and I recommend it for the most authentic flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Tantanmen ramen
Amount per Serving
Calories
400
% Daily Value*
Fat
19
g
29
%
Saturated Fat
5
g
25
%
Carbohydrates
40
g
13
%
Fiber
5
g
20
%
Sugar
7
g
8
%
Protein
18
g
36
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.