Birria Ramen with Beef combines rich Mexican birria with Japanese ramen. Perfect fusion comfort food with tender beef and aromatic broth in 30 minutes.
Hi, I’m Linda, and welcome to Tasty at Home—where bold flavors meet everyday kitchens. Last winter, I stumbled into a tiny ramen shop in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. Well, let me tell you, one spoonful of their birria ramen with beef changed everything I thought I knew about fusion cooking.
The rich, smoky aroma hit me first. Then came that first bite—tender shredded beef swimming in a broth so deeply flavored it made my eyes water with joy. Man, oh man, I knew I had to recreate this magic at home.
After fifteen attempts (yes, I counted), I finally cracked the code. This birria ramen recipe combines the soul-warming comfort of traditional Mexican birria with the satisfying richness of Japanese ramen. Consequently, you get the best of both worlds in one incredible bowl.
Whether you’re a ramen enthusiast or someone who’s never heard of birria before, this recipe will become your new obsession. Because here at Tasty at Home, every dish tells a story—and this one might just become yours.
Table of Contents
What Makes This Birria Ramen Special

This isn’t your typical college dorm room instant noodles. Instead, this birria ramen with beef represents a beautiful marriage of two culinary traditions. Moreover, the combination creates something entirely unique and utterly delicious.
The secret lies in the layered flavors. First, you have the deeply spiced birria broth with its signature smokiness. Then, you add the clean, umami-rich notes of traditional beef broth. Finally, fresh ramen noodles soak up every drop of this liquid gold.
Furthermore, this homemade ramen beef recipe delivers restaurant-quality results without the hefty price tag. You know what’s even better? The whole process takes just thirty minutes when using pre-made birria.
Ingredients and Shopping Guide
Here’s everything you need for this Korean-style ground beef ramen recipe (though we’re using shredded beef instead):
Ingredient | US Measurement | Metric | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Soft-Boiled Eggs | |||
Large eggs | 4 | 4 | Room temperature works best |
Noodles | |||
Fresh ramen noodles | 4 portions | 400g | Or quality instant noodles |
Assembly | |||
Birria broth | 3 cups | 710ml | From homemade birria recipe |
Beef broth | 3 cups | 710ml | Low-sodium preferred |
Kosher salt | To taste | To taste | Start with 1 tsp |
Shredded birria beef | 1½ cups | 300g | Pre-cooked and tender |
Garnish | |||
Green onions | 3 stalks | 3 stalks | Thinly sliced |
Fresh cilantro | ½ cup | 30g | Roughly chopped |
White onion | ¼ medium | 60g | Minced fine |
Limes | 2 whole | 2 whole | Cut into wedges |
Radish | 1 small | 1 small | Thinly sliced (optional) |
Sesame seeds | 1 pinch | 5g | For garnish |
Shopping Tips for US Grocery Stores
Most major supermarkets now carry fresh ramen noodles in the refrigerated Asian foods section. However, if you can’t find them, Sun Noodle brand works excellently and ships nationwide.
For the birria components, you’ll need to make authentic Mexican birria soup ahead of time. Alternatively, some Mexican restaurants sell birria by the quart—just call ahead.
Essential Substitutions
Can’t find certain ingredients? No problem. Here’s how to adapt:
- Fresh ramen noodles: Use high-quality instant ramen (discard seasoning packets)
- Birria broth: Mix beef consommé with chipotle peppers and Mexican oregano
- Shredded birria: Slow-cooked chuck roast with Mexican spices works perfectly
Equipment and Preparation Steps
Equipment Needed
You don’t need fancy equipment for this ramen with beef masterpiece. In fact, most home kitchens already have everything required:
- Medium saucepan (for eggs)
- Large pot (for noodles)
- Medium saucepan (for broth)
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Four serving bowls
- Ice bath setup
Step-by-Step Instructions
Perfect Soft-Boiled Eggs Every Time
Place your medium pot over medium-high heat and fill it with water. When the water reaches a gentle boil, carefully lower the eggs using a spoon. Set your timer for exactly seven minutes—this timing creates that perfect jammy yolk.
Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl with ice and cold water. When the timer goes off, immediately transfer the eggs to the ice bath. Let them sit for thirty seconds, then peel carefully.
Oops! Here’s a mistake I made early on: I used to crack the eggs while they were still hot. This always resulted in torn whites and messy presentation. Instead, let them cool completely in the ice bath first.
Cooking the Noodles to Perfection
Cook your ramen noodles according to package directions, but subtract one minute from the recommended time. The noodles will continue cooking slightly in the hot broth, so this prevents them from becoming mushy.
Drain the noodles immediately and divide them between four serving bowls. Thomas Keller always emphasized the importance of timing in cooking, and nowhere is this more crucial than with fresh noodles.
Assembling Your Birria Ramen Masterpiece
Heat both broths together in your medium saucepan, stirring gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with kosher salt as needed. The broth should taste rich and complex, with the birria spices balanced by the clean beef flavor.
In a small bowl, combine the minced cilantro, diced white onion, a squeeze of lime juice, and a pinch of salt. This fresh mixture cuts through the richness beautifully.
Slice your soft-boiled eggs in half, revealing those gorgeous golden yolks. Divide the hot broth between the bowls, pouring it directly over the noodles.

Expert Tips and Variations
Pro Tips for Best Results
Temperature control matters enormously here. Serve the birria ramen immediately while the broth is steaming hot. Cold bowls will cool down your beautiful creation too quickly.
Additionally, warm your serving bowls by filling them with hot water for a minute before assembling. This simple step keeps everything at the perfect temperature longer.
Julia Child once said that cooking is one of the great pleasures in life, and she was absolutely right. Take time to arrange your garnishes thoughtfully—we eat with our eyes first.
Creative Variations
Spicy Birria Ramen: Add sliced jalapeños and a drizzle of chili oil for extra heat. This variation pairs wonderfully with pumpkin protein muffins for a complete meal.
Vegetarian Birria Ramen: Replace the beef with mushrooms and use vegetable broth infused with dried chiles and Mexican spices.
Breakfast Birria Ramen: Add an extra egg and serve with avocado slices for the ultimate morning comfort food.
Holiday Birria Ramen: During Christmas, I like adding a few cranberries and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds for festive color.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Component | Refrigerator | Freezer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Birria broth | 3-4 days | 3 months | Store separately from noodles |
Cooked noodles | 1 day | Not recommended | Best fresh |
Soft-boiled eggs | 2 days | Not recommended | Store peeled in water |
Garnishes | 2-3 days | Varies | Keep cilantro in water |
Store components separately for best results. The birria broth actually improves in flavor after a day in the refrigerator, as the spices continue to meld.
Perfect Pairings
This birria ramen pairs beautifully with traditional French cornichons for a surprising acidic contrast. The pickled vegetables cut through the rich broth perfectly.
For drinks, try a Mexican Coca-Cola or a light beer like Modelo Especial. The bubbles help cleanse the palate between rich, satisfying spoonfuls.
Birria Ramen with Beef Recipe FAQs
What is beef birria ramen?
Beef birria ramen is a fusion dish combining Mexican birria’s rich, spiced beef broth with Japanese ramen noodles and traditional toppings, creating an innovative comfort food experience.
Can birria be made with beef?
Absolutely! While traditional birria uses goat meat, beef chuck roast or short ribs work excellently and are more readily available in US grocery stores, producing incredibly tender, flavorful results.
What to put in birria ramen?
Essential toppings include soft-boiled eggs, fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, lime wedges, minced white onion, and sesame seeds, though radish slices and chili oil make excellent additions.
What is birria ramen?
Birria ramen represents the beautiful fusion of Mexican and Japanese cuisines, featuring deeply spiced birria broth served with ramen noodles and traditional garnishes for a unique comfort food experience.
Bringing It All Together

This ultimate birria ramen with beef recipe proves that the best dishes often come from unexpected combinations. The rich, complex flavors transport you straight to that cozy corner booth where fusion magic happens.
Serve this alongside Greek yogurt pumpkin muffins for a complete meal that satisfies every craving. The contrast between spicy, savory ramen and sweet, tender muffins creates a memorable dining experience.
I encourage you to make this recipe your own. Add extra vegetables, adjust the spice level, or experiment with different garnishes. That’s the beauty of fusion cooking—there are no strict rules, only delicious possibilities.
Share your birria ramen creations on social media and tag us! Nothing makes me happier than seeing how home cooks make these recipes their own. After all, every bowl tells a story, and I can’t wait to hear yours.

Ultimate Birria Ramen with Beef
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Large pot
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Serving bowls
- Ice bath setup
Ingredients
Soft-Boiled Eggs
- 4 Large eggs Room temperature works best
Noodles
- 4 portions Fresh ramen noodles Or quality instant noodles
Assembly
- 3 cups Birria broth From homemade birria recipe
- 3 cups Beef broth Low-sodium preferred
- to taste Kosher salt Start with 1 tsp
- 1½ cups Shredded birria beef Pre-cooked and tender
Garnish
- 3 stalks Green onions Thinly sliced
- ½ cup Fresh cilantro Roughly chopped
- ¼ medium White onion Minced fine
- 2 whole Limes Cut into wedges
- 1 small Radish Thinly sliced (optional)
- 1 pinch Sesame seeds For garnish
Instructions
- Bring water to a gentle boil in a medium pot. Lower in the eggs carefully and cook for exactly 7 minutes. Transfer to an ice bath, let cool, then peel.
- Cook ramen noodles according to package directions, subtracting one minute. Drain and divide among four serving bowls.
- Heat birria broth and beef broth together in a saucepan. Taste and season with salt. Prepare a fresh garnish mix with cilantro, white onion, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
- Slice soft-boiled eggs in half. Pour hot broth over noodles in bowls, top with shredded birria beef, garnishes, and eggs. Serve immediately.