When you think of Japanese ramen and Italian pasta, they might seem worlds apart, but look closer and you'll find surprising similarities. Both celebrate pork belly—pancetta in carbonara, chashu in ramen—and rely on eggs and a rich, flavorful broth or sauce to create their signature dishes. These comforting classics from opposite ends of the globe meet in this delightful fusion: Ramen Carbonara.
This dish is an innovative take on authentic Italian carbonara, a recipe I was lucky to learn in Tuscany years ago. By substituting fresh ramen noodles for pasta and incorporating Japanese flavors like dashi and Tonkotsu, we create a hearty, satisfying dish that bridges two culinary traditions.
Ramen Carbonara Recipe
Ingredients
Chashu Bits: Dice your chashu and fry until crispy.
Egg Mixture: Beat together: (1) 1 egg (2) 1 egg yolk (3) 1 teaspoon dashi kombu powder (4) a pinch of white pepper (5) Grated Parmesan cheese (or more to taste)
Ramen Noodles: Cook fresh homemade ramen noodles for 1 minute. Here is the recipe: https://www.ramenpartysf.com/recipes/ramen-noodles. Of course, you can substitute with pre-made noodles or even instant noodles!
Broth: 2 tablespoons Tonkotsu broth
Garnish: Chopped green onions
Directions
Crisp the Chashu. Heat a pan and fry diced chashu until crispy. The rendered fat adds incredible depth to the sauce.
Prepare the Egg Mixture. In a bowl, beat the egg, egg yolk, dashi powder, white pepper, and Parmesan cheese. This forms the creamy sauce base.
Cook the Noodles. Boil fresh ramen noodles for 1 minute, then strain.
Combine and Toss. Add the noodles to the pan with the chashu. Pour in the Tonkotsu broth and toss to coat.
Turn Off the Heat. With the heat off, quickly mix in the egg mixture. Stir vigorously to ensure the sauce becomes creamy without curdling.
Plate and Garnish. Serve immediately, sprinkled with chopped green onions.
This fusion dish is proof that two culinary worlds can harmoniously collide, blending the best of Japanese ramen and Italian tradition. Give it a try, and let the flavors transport you from Tokyo to Tuscany in a single bite!
Want to learn how to make fresh and healthy noodles from scratch? Check out our Ramen Cooking Class in San Francisco here: https://www.ramenpartysf.com/ramen-making-party
 | Manville Chan is the Founder and Chief Experience Officer at The Story of Ramen. |
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