This easy vegetarian miso ramen recipe boasts an incredibly flavorful homemade broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and simple scallions sprinkled along the top. And that’s it! Done and (slurp!) done.

A bowl of simple vegan miso ramen being eaten with chopsticks

In this Article

The Story Behind the Recipe

I didn’t always know that ramen is so much more than from-a-packet noodles and broth … but I know better now. Ramen can be the most gorgeous bowlful of fresh noodles swimming in rich broth, topped with a soft-boiled egg half or two and artfully arranged piles of veggies.

On the other hand, making a fancy ramen at home with a gazillion beautiful toppings destroys my kitchen.

I came to the conclusion that I still craved the simplicity of the easy ramen – just broth and noodles, sir. So I came up with this super simple, easy miso ramen recipe. The end. Except not (keep scrolling!)

(Just to be clear, I’m not claiming an authentic ramen recipe here. Authentic ramen usually involves meat, for one, but more importantly, I’m SO not a ramen expert! I am a home cook who loves delicious food, and I tested and retested this one while doing my very best to keep it suuuuuuper super simple. So that I could enjoy delicious homemade ramen anytime, fast, and without destroying my kitchen.)

A top view of a bowl of easy vegan miso ramen with a bowl of sliced scallions on the side.

Vegetarian Miso Ramen Ingredients

This miso ramen recipe has just enough ingredients for a super flavorful soup, but it’s still very simple and easy to make. We’ve got:

  • Fresh ramen noodles
  • Sesame oil & olive oil
  • Yellow onion & garlic
  • Veggie broth
  • Ginger
  • Soy sauce (or Tamari, your preference)
  • White miso paste
  • Mirin
  • Chili garlic sauce
  • Salt
  • Scallions

How to Make Easy Vegetarian Miso Ramen

For the most flavorful broth in the quickest amount of time, I start with charring the onion on the stovetop. I was inspired by Serious Eats’ vegan ramen recipe which starts with a variety of roasted and charred veggies. I love the slightly smoky, deep flavor a bit of charring adds via my shortcut approach. And then we have garlic (please don’t brown it or you’ll add yucky bitter notes!) and fresh ginger. A standard store-bought veggie broth, and then soy sauce, miso, and chili garlic sauce for umami and a smidge of heat. And also mirin, which adds just a touch of sweetness.

Many vegan ramen recipes call for shiitake mushrooms in some form or another, or kombu/seaweed, but this vegan ramen recipe goes without mushrooms and without seaweed. If you’d like to add those, go for it! I’ve found that I love this broth as-is and wanted to keep it as simple as possible.

A bowl of ramen noodles in miso broth

Also, feel free to use this vegan miso ramen recipe as a base for all your toppings if you do want to go that route! Personally, I love it with a sprinkle of diagonally-sliced scallions and maybe a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. If I want more protein, I might add tofu or a soft-boiled egg (which, of course, is not vegan, but eggs are something I do still eat).

Ideas for Making Your Miso Ramen More Fancy

  • Soft cubed tofu
  • Roasted chickpeas
  • Roasted sweet potatoes
  • Roasted or steamed carrots
  • Steamed broccoli or roasted broccolini
  • Steamed spinach
  • Edamame
  • Thinly sliced baby boy choy
  • Bean sprouts
  • Anything else you want! Sky’s the limit!

I hope you like this Easy Miso Ramen as much as we do!

5 from 3 votes

Vegetarian Miso Ramen

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Author: Kare
Yield: 4
A back-to-basics ramen that cooks up fast and flavorful – without destroying your kitchen!

Ingredients

  • 1 10-ounce package ramen noodles (I love Nona Lim fresh Tokyo ramen, found in the refrigerated section)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil*
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 small yellow onion (cut into strips)
  • 2 medium cloves garlic (minced)
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 thumb-sized hunk of ginger (minced (about 1 tablespoon))
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or Tamari
  • 2 tablespoons white miso paste
  • 1 tablespoon mirin
  • 1/4 – 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (to taste)
  • Pinch kosher salt (optional)
  • 4 scallions (diagonally sliced)

Instructions

  • Fill a large pot halfway with water, set over high heat, and bring to a boil. Cook ramen noodles according to package instructions. Drain, set aside, and rinse with cool water if the instructions call for it.
  • While the ramen cooks, make the broth. Set a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil and sesame oil to the pan. When hot, add the onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until charred in places, about 4 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to medium low and add the garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, for one minute. Do not let the garlic get brown at all, or it will lend a bitter taste to your broth. If it starts to brown before one minute is up, add the broth right away.
  • Add the broth, ginger, and soy sauce. Increase heat to high to bring to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
  • Turn off heat. Scoop 1/4 cup of the broth into a small bowl and add the miso. Stir with a fork until a smooth paste forms, then add back to the broth. Stir in the mirin and the chili garlic sauce. Taste and add a pinch of salt if desired.
  • Divide noodles between 3 or 4 bowls. Ladle broth over top. Sprinkle with scallions and serve.

Notes

* Use sesame oil only, NOT toasted sesame oil.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 76kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 0.4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 876mg, Potassium: 104mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 127IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg
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