Sunday, January 30, 2011

tan tan men

Lunch on Saturday was Tan tan men. A spicy sesame seed based soup with noodles.

I've made this from scratch in the past.

Since I didn't have much time to get lunch together, I used a pre-made noodle with an instant soup packet.

The only thing with the instant version is that there are no toppings, so I had to make these myself.

The meat on the top is called ja jan, to make the ja jan (seasoned meat) this is the recipe I followed.

This time around I only used 100 grams of pork, added 1/2 a tablespoon of shoyu (soy sauce) and 1/2 a tablespoon of sake (rice wine) and 1 teaspoon of tenmenjan (sweetened miso) when the pork browned. I cooked everything until the liquid evaporated then drained the meat onto a paper towel.

I cleaned some chin gen sai, which I think is bok choy and wilted it in a warm pan with a little water.

Then after cooking the noodles according to the package, I added hot water to the bowls for the soup then added the noodles.

I topped our bowls with the bok choy & the ja jan (seasoned meat).

The soup wasn't as spicy as some restaurants serve their tan tan men, but this was delicious and perfect for a cold wintry Saturday.

11 comments:

Dennis K. said...

The last I had this was at Chin Ma Ya (little) Tokyo. Your's look much better!

jalna said...

I WANT SOME OF THAT NOW!!

Japan Australia said...

Looks delicious!!
A Taiwanese restaurant near my home in Japan served one of the best Tan Tan Men I have ever had. It was pretty spicy but great for warming you up. Thanks for the recipe, I will give it a try at home.

K and S said...

aw thanks Dennis :)

'kay, you coming over then Jalna :)

hope you like it J-A.

Take care everyone.
Kat

Unknown said...

Ohh I would've traded my ramen for yours today! ;) looks good!

Rowena said...

Every time I see tan tan men or (dan dan mien) at a chinese restaurant here I order it thinking that it'll be super spicy but it never is. Absolutely love the stuff though.

K and S said...

I'll trade my tan tan men for your jin dui, Rick :)

I like spicy too Rowena, but some are so spicy you can't taste anything else but chili, that is no fun :(

Take care you two.
Kat

Deb in Hawaii said...

Mmm...I wish I had a big bowl right now. ;-) It's not cold here of course but the gray, slightly gloomy afternoon would be perfect for this.

K and S said...

I could actually use another bowl of this Deb in Hawaii, it is in the 30s!

Take care.
Kat

manju said...

Not familiar with this version with soup, the ones I've tried (Chinese) had a kind of gravy instead of soup. They were good, but this looks so much better. Yes, please send us a bowl!

K and S said...

I think authentic tan tan men has no soup Manju, just a sauce or something like that :)

Take care.
Kat