Chef ' s Tip
Spicy Miso
CHICKEN RAMEN
By Zandeleen van Zyl @ zandilions
Serves 2
What You ' ll Need For the ramen
• 2 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1-inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• ½ – 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 8 cups low sodium chicken broth
• ¾ cup coconut milk( or preferred milk)
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup white miso paste
• 2 – 4 tablespoons chilli paste( e. g., gochujang), to taste
• 4 portions ramen noodles
• 4 cups baby spinach, chopped
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
For the soy-orange chicken
• 2 chicken breasts( halved horizontally)
• ½ cup cornflour
For the sauce
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• ¼ cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 – 2 tablespoons honey, optional
To serve
• soft- or hard-boiled eggs
• sesame seeds
• spring onions
• chilli oil
Let ' s Cook Make the ramen broth 1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. 2. Add bacon and cook until crisp, about 5 minutes. 3. Add garlic, onion, ginger and red pepper flakes.
4. Cook until fragrant and slightly caramelised, about 3 minutes.
5. Pour in the chicken broth, coconut milk and soy sauce.
6. Whisk in the miso paste and chilli paste until smooth. 7. Reduce heat and simmer for
10 minutes.
Cook the chicken
1. Mix soy sauce, orange juice, black pepper and honey in a bowl. 2. Preheat oven to 180 ° C. 3. Lightly coat the chicken in cornflour, then dip into the sauce.
4. Place on a lined baking tray and bake for 18 – 22 minutes, or until cooked through. 5. Remove and slice into strips.
Finish the ramen 1. Add noodles, spinach and sesame oil to the broth. 2. Let sit for 5 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.
To assemble 1. Divide the noodles and broth between bowls. 2. Top with soy-orange chicken. 3. Add eggs, sesame seeds, spring onions and chilli oil.
Chef ' s Tip
Don ' t boil the broth after adding the miso paste. High heat destroys its delicate flavour & beneficial probiotics. Whisk it in off the heat or over a gentle simmer. For extra depth, stir in a teaspoon of butter just before serving.
essentialflavours. co. za • Spring 2026 | 47