Aaron and Claire are known for their easy-to-follow, home-style Asian recipes, especially Japanese and Korean comfort food. Their YouTube channel has become a go-to source for beginners and home cooks who want practical, budget-friendly meals that don’t sacrifice flavor. In one of their most popular videos, they introduce mazesoba, a type of Japanese ramen that’s quick, simple, and surprisingly full of depth.
Image via Aaron and Claire
What is Mazesoba?
Mazesoba (まぜそば), which translates to “mixed noodles,” is a brothless ramen dish that originated in Nagoya, Japan. Despite often being referred to as “Taiwan Mazesoba,” the dish was developed in the 2000s by the ramen shop Menya Hanabi. Its bold, spicy pork topping drew inspiration from Taiwanese-style minced meat, but the dish itself is distinctly Japanese.
Unlike traditional ramen, which depends on a complex broth, mazesoba is tossed in a rich sauce and served with various toppings, such as garlic chives, green onions, seaweed, egg yolk, and ground pork. It’s hearty, savory, and much easier to prepare at home than most soup-based ramen recipes.
Image via Aaron and Claire
A Simple, Flavor-Packed Dish at Home
If you’re craving Japanese ramen but don’t feel like going out or spending too much time in the kitchen, Aaron and Claire’s mazesoba recipe is a great alternative. It takes about 15 minutes from start to finish, and while the list of ingredients might look long at first, the cooking process is straightforward and beginner-friendly.
They begin by preparing the toppings: garlic chives are trimmed and cut into small pieces for a mild onion-like flavor. Green onions are sliced thinly, with the whites reserved for cooking and the greens for garnish. Garlic is smashed and chopped, then divided into two portions, one for the aromatic oil and one for topping. A small amount of ginger is grated, which Aaron insists is worth adding because it pairs perfectly with pork.
Bonito flakes are microwaved for about a minute and then crumbled by hand to save time and avoid extra cleanup. This creates a light, smoky powder that adds umami depth to the dish.
Image via Aaron and Claire
Cooking the Pork and Sauce
For the pork topping, Aaron mixes together doubanjiang (Chinese chili bean paste), oyster sauce, mirin or sake, sugar, and a few shakes of black pepper. This sauce is set aside while the aromatics are cooked.
In a wok or large pan, oil is heated over medium-high heat, and the white parts of the green onions, garlic, and ginger are added to create the aromatic oil. Once fragrant, ground pork is added and broken into small pieces, cooking for about three minutes until no longer pink. The sauce mixture is poured in and stirred for about two minutes, allowing the pork fat to blend with the seasonings and create a rich, flavorful topping. When the pork is fully cooked and coated in the sauce, it is removed from the heat and set aside.
Image via Aaron and Claire
Preparing the Noodles
A pot of water is brought to a boil, and the noodles are cooked according to package instructions. Aaron uses fresh mazesoba noodles, but similar thick noodles work well for this recipe. Once cooked, the noodles are drained and transferred to a mixing bowl.
They are then tossed with sesame oil, chili oil, chicken bouillon powder, and a little black pepper. If mixing is difficult, some reserved cooking water can be added to help coat the noodles evenly.
Image via Aaron and Claire
Assembly and Final Touches
To assemble, the noodles are placed in a bowl and topped with the seasoned pork in the center. Fresh vegetables, nori, and bonito powder are arranged neatly around the sides, and a raw egg yolk is placed on top. If preferred, a poached or soft-boiled egg can be used instead. For extra crunch, Aaron adds tempura flakes, although this is optional.
Image via Aaron and Claire
Claire’s Taste Test & Final Tips
When Claire tries the finished dish, she immediately praises the chewy noodles, the well-seasoned pork, and the variety of textures. She also shares a tip from Japanese noodle culture: halfway through eating, add a small amount of vinegar to refresh the palate and give the dish a slightly different flavor.
Image via Aaron and Claire
Discover More Japanese Flavors with Sakuraco
If you enjoy exploring authentic Japanese cuisine, you might also love discovering the flavors of traditional Japanese snacks through a Sakuraco box. Each month, Sakuraco curates a premium selection of artisanal snacks and sweets sourced directly from regional makers across Japan.
Sakuraco focuses on Japanese heritage, local ingredients, and regional flavors, making it an excellent complement to your at-home cooking journey. While a bowl of mazesoba brings Japan to your dinner table, Sakuraco brings the tea house to your living room. It’s an enjoyable way to explore Japanese food culture beyond just meals.
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Make It Tonight!
If you are unsure what to make for dinner, remember this mazesoba. It is quick, flavorful, and satisfying, which makes it ideal for busy weeknights, relaxed weekends, or even late-night meals. Aaron presents it in an easy-to-follow way, and once you try it, it may become a recipe you return to often. Fifteen minutes is all it takes.
The ingredients can be prepared in advance, and the steps are simple enough that even beginner cooks can manage them without stress. Keeping the essentials on hand makes it easy to prepare whenever you want a comforting, homemade meal in a short amount of time.
👉 Watch “This Cheap, Quick & Easy Japanese Ramen Will Change Your LIFE l MAZESOBA” on Aaron & Claire’s YouTube Channel here.
