Vegan Tantanmen: A Plant-Based Twist on a Bold Japanese Classic
Tantanmen, the Japanese adaptation of the Chinese Sichuan Dandan noodles, is traditionally a spicy, creamy, and umami-rich ramen dish that harmoniously blends the nuttiness of sesame, the warmth of chili oil, and the savory depth of ground meat in a silky broth. In this vegan version, all the comforting richness and complexity of flavor are preserved—without any animal products—making it a satisfying bowl for vegans and ramen lovers alike.
At the heart of this dish is a luscious, creamy broth created by combining toasted sesame paste (or tahini), soy milk, and rayu (Japanese red chili oil) or vegan chili oil. This creates a velvety base that balances nuttiness with just the right kick of heat. The sesame adds depth and body, while soy milk brings a mellow smoothness that coats each noodle strand beautifully. A hint of rice vinegar or black vinegar brightens the broth, and a splash of soy sauce or miso injects it with umami and saltiness.
Replacing the traditional ground pork, this vegan tantanmen features a flavorful plant-based topping—often a mix of crumbled tofu or tempeh, or vegan minced meat, sautรฉed with aromatics like garlic, ginger, bean sprout, corn, and a dash of miso or a dash of doubanjiang (fermented chili bean paste). These crumbles are caramelized until golden, giving them a rich, meaty texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy soup.
The noodles, ideally alkaline ramen noodles or whole wheat soba, are cooked to chewy perfection and served submerged in the aromatic broth.
Toppings vary and can include:
- Blanched bok choy or baby spinach for freshness and crunch
- Thinly sliced scallions or pickled mustard greens for brightness
- Shredded carrots, bean sprouts, or corn for sweetness and color
- A soft vegan ramen egg or marinated tofu slice for extra protein (optional)
- And of course, a final drizzle of spicy chili oil and a sprinkle of crushed peanuts or white sesame seeds for texture and a finishing touch
What results is a bowl that’s visually stunning and layered with flavor: spicy, nutty, creamy, and just a touch sweet. It’s a true comfort food that feels indulgent, yet nourishes the body with whole, plant-based ingredients. Whether you’re a ramen purist looking for a lighter alternative or a vegan in search of bold flavors, Vegan Tantanmen delivers a deeply satisfying experience—one spoonful at a time.
INGREDIENTS:
Soup Base:
3 tbsp tahini
2 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp rayu (Japanese red chili oil)
1 cup soy milk (250ml)
1.5 cup veg broth (300ml)
Spicy Fried Soy/Tofu Crumbles:
100 g soy meat or tofu
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 tsp ginger, minced
1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sake (optional)
1/2 tbsp miso paste
1 tsp red chili oil
Other Ingredients:
2 portions of ramen noodles
1/2 head of small cabbage, shredded
1 cup bean sprout
1/2 cup corn
- Additional garnishes:scallion, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, sliced green onions, sliced garlic tops, soy sauce and rayu/red chili oil.
Method
For the Spicy Fried Soy/Tofu Crumbles:
- If using soy meat, soak in hot water for 5 minutes. If using tofu, crumble tofu until they resemble minced meat.
- Heat a small skillet over medium high heat with some sesame oil, 2 cloves of minced garlic and ginger. Add in the soy/tofu crumbles and then add in the sake, soy sauce, miso paste and red chili oil. Fry until the crumbles get slightly crispy (around 3-5 minutes)
For the toppings:
- Prep the vegetables by slicing them and steaming them for around 3 minutes.
- Bring a medium pot to a boil and then cook the ramen according to instructions (around 5 minutes)
For the Soup Base:
- Combine all the ingredients except the soy milk and broth into a bowl until a paste forms.
- Heat the soy milk and vegetable stock over medium low heat, then reduce to low as soon as you start to see bubbles. Whisk in the paste made earlier until dissolved.
To assemble:
- Place cooked noodles into a bowl. Pour over half the broth. Add on the fried minced soy meat, vegetables, additional garnishes and chili oil.
Notes
- SERVINGS: 2
- PREP TIME: 10 minutes
- COOK TIME: 15-20 minutes
- INGREDIENTS: 14
- DIFFICULTY: EASY
Detailed calorie breakdown for each ingredient in your Vegan Tantanmen recipe. Values are based on typical averages and may vary slightly depending on brand and preparation.
Broth & Seasoning Base
- 2 tbsp soy sauce – ~20 kcal
- ½ tbsp rice vinegar – ~2 kcal
- 1 tbsp sesame oil – ~120 kcal
- 1 tsp rayu (Japanese chili oil) – ~40 kcal
- 1 cup soy milk (250ml, unsweetened) – ~80 kcal
- 1.5 cups vegetable broth (300ml) – ~30 kcal
Subtotal (Broth Base): ~292 kcal
Soy Meat / Tofu & Seasonings
- 100 g soy meat (rehydrated) – ~150 kcal
(If using firm tofu instead: ~120 kcal for 100 g)
- 1 tsp garlic, minced – ~4 kcal
- 1 tsp ginger, minced – ~2 kcal
- ½ tbsp soy sauce – ~5 kcal
- 1 tsp sake (optional) – ~5 kcal
- ½ tbsp miso paste – ~17 kcal
- 1 tsp red chili oil – ~40 kcal
Subtotal (Topping Base with Soy Meat): ~223 kcal
(With tofu: ~193 kcal)
Noodles & Toppings
- 2 portions of ramen noodles (instant or fresh, ~150 g total) – ~400–450 kcal
(Depends on type; using fresh wheat noodles or instant-style ones)
- ½ head of small cabbage (shredded, ~150 g) – ~35 kcal
- 1 cup bean sprouts (~100 g) – ~30 kcal
- ½ cup corn (cooked) – ~66 kcal
Subtotal (Noodles & Veggies): ~531–581 kcal
Total Estimated Calories
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Version
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Total Calories
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~1,046kcal
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~1,016kcal
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These values represent the total for the full recipe, typically serving 2 portions.
So, per serving:
- With soy meat: ~523 kcal
- With tofu: ~508 kcal
TWO VARIATION
Below are two variations of the Vegan Tantanmen recipe: one lighter version (lower in calories) and one higher-protein version—with tweaks in ingredients while preserving the dish’s core flavor and texture.
1. Lighter Version (Low-Calorie Vegan Tantanmen)
Target: Reduce total calories while keeping flavor and volume.
Key Modifications:
- Use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce total amount slightly.
- Replace sesame oil (120 kcal) with 1 tsp instead of 1 tbsp.
- Reduce rayu/chili oil to ½ tsp.
- Use zucchini noodles (zoodles) or shirataki noodles instead of ramen.
- Increase low-cal veggies (bean sprouts, cabbage) for volume.
New Ingredient Adjustments:
- 1 tsp sesame oil – ~40 kcal
- ½ tsp rayu – ~20 kcal
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk – ~80 kcal
- Shirataki noodles (2 servings) – ~20 kcal
- Tofu (100g) – ~120 kcal
- Rest of seasonings/veggies – similar
Total Calories (Full recipe): ~650–700 kcal
Per serving (2 servings): ~325–350 kcal
2. High-Protein Version (Protein-Rich Vegan Tantanmen)
Target: Increase protein for muscle recovery or satiety.
Key Modifications:
- Use extra-firm tofu (or tempeh) or TVP (textured vegetable protein), 150g
- Use edamame as an additional topping
- Add 2 tbsp nutritional yeast to the broth (umami + protein)
- Keep ramen noodles or substitute with high-protein edamame noodles
New Ingredient Additions:
- 150 g soy meat or tofu – ~180 kcal, ~22g protein
- 1/2 cup edamame (cooked) – ~100 kcal, ~9g protein
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast – ~60 kcal, ~8g protein
- High-protein ramen noodles (edamame or lentil-based) – ~350 kcal, ~25g protein
Total Calories (Full recipe): ~1,150–1,200 kcal
Per serving (2 servings): ~575–600 kcal
Protein per serving: ~30–35g
