Japan is famous for ramen, but there’s another must-try noodle dish you shouldn’t miss: tantanmen, also known as tantan ramen.
Tantanmen is similar to ramen but has roots in Sichuan, China. The original Sichuan version, dan dan noodles, is typically dry or served with minimal broth. Over time, this dish was adapted into a Japanese-style version featuring a rich, sesame-based broth with a mild yet spicy flavor. This Japanese interpretation includes a flavorful broth, ground meat sauce, and spices like Sichuan pepper and chili oil.
The Japanese version of tantanmen was created by Chen Kenmin, a chef of Sichuan origin who played a major role in introducing Sichuan cuisine to Japan. He adapted traditional dan dan noodles to suit Japanese tastes, drawing inspiration from Japan’s love for ramen. The result? A delicious fusion that blends the bold flavors of Sichuan with the comforting style of Japanese noodle soups.
Today, tantanmen can be found all over Japan, with each region putting its twist on the dish. Some popular examples include “new tantanmen” from Kawasaki in Kanagawa, “Katsuura tantanmen” from Chiba, and “shirunashi tantanmen” (brothless tantanmen) from Hiroshima, which closely resembles the original Sichuan style.
With so many variations to explore, you might even want to try making your tantanmen at home. Tantanmen is best served hot, and you’ll need to prepare the broth, meat sauce, and noodles almost simultaneously. To manage this, you can either overlap the steps or cook the meat sauce in advance and reheat it when your broth and noodles are ready. This is especially handy when you’re short on time.
There’s no one “authentic” way to make tantanmen, so feel free to customize it. Some recipes swap out water for soy milk or regular milk to make the broth creamier. Others add toppings like mushrooms, spinach, or soft-boiled eggs. There are even cold tantanmen dishes, perfect for warmer days.
Want a lighter version? Try using glass noodles instead of regular ones for a quick snack or a late-night bite.
Enjoy making your own delicious bowl of tantanmen!
English (US) · 