11 Comforting Ramen Recipes To Make This Fall

When fall arrives, the leaves may be beautiful, but the bitter weather and the dark-by-5-pm-days are not. And on those dark evenings when you find yourself sad and longing to see the sun again, you must indulge in a reliable comfort meal. Ramen, a nostalgic treat that feels like eating a warm hug, is just the thing to help you in your crusade to beat seasonal depression. However, if you're planning on making the same old instant chicken ramen over and over again this fall, you're doing yourself a disservice. An incredibly versatile autumn dish, you can infuse your ramen with everything from subtle nutty peanut sesame flavor to bold pumpkin spice.

So to ensure your spirit is soothed with the tastiest ramen bowls this fall, we've compiled a list of ramen recipes that will keep you well-fed and cozy well into the winter. Our list has everything from a classic take on the dish to a vegan version of the Japanese favorite. We've even included how-tos for making delicious traditional ramen broth and Japanese-style ramen eggs. So get out your favorite sweater and your trusty ramen-making pot, because here are the 11 best ramen recipes to keep you snug this fall.

If you always find yourself siding with pork in the great "which is better, pork or chicken ramen?" debate, this recipe is for you. And if you're a chicken ramen believer, this dish might just change your allegiance. While pork ramen often utilizes boneless pork shoulder, this recipe calls for pork belly — which provides a crunchier mouthfeel than shoulder and makes this dish a delightfully crispy take on the Japanese favorite.

For an especially earthy fall dinner, top off your pork belly ramen with an extra sprinkle of mushrooms.

Recipe: Pork Belly Ramen

The ramen at David Chang's famous restaurant Momofuku is one of the reasons the eatery has been credited with pioneering the delicious boom of modern Asian-American food. This recipe takes Chang's beloved pork-infused comfort dish in a new and tasty direction by featuring vegetable broth and tofu in place of meat products. 

Plus, thanks to its utilization of bamboo shoots and a nori sheet, this vegetarian twist on Chang's signature ramen dish is a delightfully crunchy meal perfectly fit for fall.

Recipe: David Chang's Momofuku Ramen With A Twist

Most mushroom varieties flourish during the fall, which makes the fungus an excellent ingredient for autumnal dishes. And by bringing mushrooms to the forefront of its taste profile, this vegan mushroom ramen is the definition of fall food serendipity. 

Featuring shiitake mushrooms, lime, tofu, and red chili pepper, this vegan mushroom soup is full of spicy, savory flavor that will warm you up and bring you comfort all fall long.

Recipe: Vegan Mushroom Ramen

Most of the ramen recipes we've listed so far call for soft-boiled or poached eggs. However, if you want to indulge in a truly unforgettable, comforting bowl of ramen in this fall season you should opt to take the time to prepare ajitsuke tamago, aka a traditional ramen egg. 

This recipe is prepared by soaking peeled boiled eggs in a soy sauce, sake, and mirin marinade for 2 days. Don't be afraid to customize the sauces the eggs steep in. For example, chili oil may be a good addition to a spice lover's ajitsuke tamago.

Recipe: Ajitsuke Tamago

To make good ramen, you need a good broth. And this big-batch tonkotsu broth will help you make bowl after bowl of the beloved Japanese dish throughout the fall season. With an 8-hour cooking time, this pork broth recipe is one you'll have to commit to for the long haul to make, just like ajitsuke tamago eggs. 

However, the Japanese method for making broth creates a far silkier product than the pre-made ones you can grab at the grocery store. So DIYing this core ramen ingredient is well worth it.

Recipe: Big-Batch Tonkotsu Ramen Broth