Soba with Slow Cooker Garlic and Ginger Pork

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings
  • Total: 6 hr 35 min
  • Prep: 20 min
  • Inactive: 15 min
  • Cook: 6 hr
Soba—and the substitute, ramen—as well as soy sauce, sesame, and ginger are all common in Japanese cooking, but this slow cooker dish pulls inspiration from a wide range of cuisines. Star anise and cinnamon are used in Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Chinese cooking, while sherry is from Spain and red pepper flakes are most closely associated with Italian and Italian-American food—you’ve no doubt seen a jar at your local slice shop.
Advertisement

Ingredients

3 pounds boneless pork shoulder

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup dry sherry

1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

2 star anise pods

1 cinnamon stick

5 cloves garlic, smashed

1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and sliced

6 to 8 whole dried shiitake mushrooms

1 pound soba or ramen

1/4 cup water chestnuts, sliced

2 Fresno chile peppers, seeded and thinly sliced

2 scallions, sliced

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. Season the pork with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with the vegetable oil. Add the pork and brown on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  2. Combine the broth, soy sauce, sherry, sugar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, star anise and cinnamon stick in a 5-quart slow cooker. Stir to dissolve the sugar, then add the garlic, ginger and mushrooms. Add the pork, cover and program to cook 4 hours on high, then 2 hours on low, or 6 hours total on low.
  3. Transfer the pork to a platter, cover and let rest 15 minutes. Remove the mushrooms from the broth and halve them, then return to the broth.
  4. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the soba or ramen as the label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool. Slice the pork. Divide the noodles among bowls and top with some of the broth and mushrooms and a few slices of pork. Garnish with the water chestnuts, chiles, scallions and cilantro.

Let's Get Cooking!

Sign up for the Recipe of the Day newsletter to receive editor-picked recipes,tips and videos delivered to your inbox daily. Privacy Policy

Thanks for subscribing to the Recipe of the Day newsletter. Check out all our other great newsletters from Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas and Chef Recipe Videos.

We're sorry, there was an error signing you up. Please try again later.

Advertisement

Julie W.

My husband and I are fans of most Asian cuisine. We live in the desert and it’s currently too hot to use our stove and oven as often as I do in cooler weather, so I often look for new slow cooker ideas and this recipe is fabulous; Reminds us both of Pho. I can’t always find soba noodles so I buy ramen when necessary. This is a new “go to” slow cooker meal in our home. It’s delicious.

See All Reviews