Manchester loves ramen, but most ramen broth is made with pork bones or seasoned with mirin and sake, so for many Muslim families halal ramen has meant a trip to a restaurant. You can make a proper bowl at home in about 20 minutes with our halal-certified Shoyu Ramen Soup Base and toppings from the Omakase by Cupid range, all available at Think GG Cash & Carry in Longsight, Manchester.
Why most ramen is not halal
- Tonkotsu broth is made by boiling pork bones for hours.
- Soup bases and seasonings often contain mirin, sake or meat extracts from unknown sources.
- Classic toppings such as chashu are usually pork, and ramen eggs are often marinated in mirin.
Your halal ramen shopping list
- Broth: Shoyu Ramen Soup Base, a halal-certified soy sauce ramen base from our halal sauce range
- Noodles: ramen noodles are usually made from wheat flour, water, salt and alkaline salts. Check the label, and ask us in store about the noodles we stock.
- Protein: Omakase Chicken Karaage, Omakase Chicken Gyoza or Omakase Yakitori Chicken Skewers, all from the halal-certified Omakase by Cupid range
- Toppings: eggs, edamame, spring onions, yaki nori and toasted sesame seeds
Recipe: Halal shoyu ramen with chicken karaage
Serves 2.
Ramen eggs (make ahead)
- Boil 2 eggs for 6½ minutes, then plunge into iced water and peel.
- Mix 3 tbsp shoyu, 1 tbsp Japanese Sweet Seasoning and 3 tbsp water in a small bag or bowl.
- Add the eggs and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
The bowl
- Cook a portion of Omakase Chicken Karaage from frozen, following the pack instructions.
- Dilute the Shoyu Ramen Soup Base with hot water, following the ratio on the pack. Taste, adjust and keep it steaming hot.
- Cook the noodles following the pack instructions and drain them well.
- Warm two deep bowls with hot water, then pour it away.
- Add the broth, then the noodles, lifting and folding them so they sit neatly.
- Top with the karaage, a halved ramen egg, edamame, sliced spring onion, a sheet of nori and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Four easy variations
- Gyoza ramen: pan-fry Omakase gyoza until crisp underneath and sit them on top.
- Yakitori ramen: grill Omakase yakitori skewers, brush with Yakitori Sauce and lay them across the bowl.
- Spicy ramen: stir a teaspoon of Gochujang Sauce into the broth.
- Vegetable ramen: add Omakase vegetable gyoza, edamame, sweetcorn and pak choi.
For ramen bars and restaurants
Halal ramen is in demand across Manchester. A certified soup base lets you add halal ramen to your menu without simmering broth for hours, and it tastes the same every service. Certificates are available on request.
For more ideas, see our guides to making chicken katsu at home, what is in eel sauce and choosing tobiko, masago or Masagi.
Frequently asked questions
Is ramen halal?
It depends on the broth, the seasoning and the toppings. Tonkotsu broth is pork-based, and many soup bases use mirin or sake. A halal-certified soup base with certified toppings makes it simple.
What is shoyu ramen?
Shoyu ramen has a clear, savoury broth seasoned with soy sauce. It is lighter than tonkotsu and works perfectly with chicken.
Where can I buy halal ramen soup base in Manchester?
At Think GG Cash & Carry in Longsight. Trade buyers across the UK can contact us for a quote.
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