Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsRamen KumamotoCharshu Don Recipe

Charshu Don Recipe

Inspired by Ramen Kumamoto
Time3h 30m
Serves4

Japanese roast pork, pickled radish, and scallions served with sweet soy dashi over rice

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Ingredients

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For the Charshu (Roast Pork)

For the Pickled Radish

For the Sweet Soy Dashi

For Serving

Method

Charshu Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepare the Marinade

    In a bowl, mix soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, minced garlic, and sliced ginger until combined.

  2. 2

    Marinate the Pork

    Place the pork belly in a resealable bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the pork. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.

  3. 3

    Roast the Pork

    Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Remove the pork from the marinade and place it in a roasting pan. Reserve the marinade. Cover the pan with foil and roast for about 2.5 to 3 hours, basting occasionally with the reserved marinade, until the pork is tender.

  4. 4

    Slice the Pork

    Once cooked, remove the pork from the oven, let it rest for 10 minutes, then slice it thinly.

Pickled Radish Preparation

  1. 5

    Prepare the Pickling Brine

    In a bowl, combine rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve.

  2. 6

    Pickle the Radish

    Add the sliced daikon radish to the brine, ensuring they are fully submerged. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate for several hours.

Sweet Soy Dashi Preparation

  1. 7

    Make the Dashi

    In a saucepan, combine dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

Assembly and Serving

  1. 8

    Serve the Charshu Don

    In a bowl, place a serving of cooked rice, top with sliced charshu, pickled radish, and drizzle with sweet soy dashi. Garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.

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