Japanese Ramen

Ramen is a Japanese dish consisting of noodles served in a meat or fish-based broth, often flavoured with soy sauce or miso, and uses toppings such as sliced pork, dried seaweed, menma, and boiled eggs. It is believed that ramen was first introduced to Japan by Chinese immigrants in the late 19th century. Since then, it has become one of the most popular dishes in Japan. In the West, most people think they’ve tried ramen from plastic packets on supermarket shelves but real ramen is one of the wonders of Japanese food.

The main styles of ramen

Ramen dishes are traditionally divided into three main categories, known as tare: shio, shoyu and miso. The tare is the component of the dish which is used to season the broth. Shio ramen is made with a clear chicken or vegetable broth and salty seasoning. Shoyu ramen uses soy sauce in the broth for a more savoury flavour. Miso ramen has a rich, fermented miso paste added to the broth for depth of flavour.

Other popular ramen dishes

There are many different styles of ramen and the type of broth and toppings used vary depending on the region of Japan;

Tonkutso ramen – Made with a pork bone broth that is simmered for hours until it becomes rich and creamy.
Black ramen – Made using black soybean paste as its base. This gives the soup a richer, more umami flavour. Black ramen is also typically made with pork and the noodles are usually thinner and less curly than those used in other types of ramen.
Mazemen ramen - Ramen without broth is called mazemen. Mazemen is a dry ramen dish that is typically served with a sauce. Since there is no broth, the noodles tend to be higher quality and the main feature of the dish. The sauce can then be anything from a simple soy sauce to a more complex mixture of flavours.

Different types of ramen noodles

There are four main types of noodles used in ramen: wheat noodles, egg noodles, buckwheat noodles, and cellophane noodles. Each type of noodle has a unique texture and flavour, so you can try different kinds to find your favourite. Although wheat noodles are the most common type of noodles used in ramen.

How do you eat ramen?

There are many ways to eat ramen, but the most important thing is to have both the noodles and the broth together. To do this, hold your chopsticks in your dominant hand and then place the ramen ladle in your other. Pick up some noodles with your chopsticks and a little of the broth with your ladle. Eat your noodles closely followed by a slurp of the broth. Slurping allows you to get all the flavour from the noodles and broth. It also cools down the noodles so you don't burn your tongue. Once you have eaten all of your noodles and toppings, finish by slurping up any remaining broth in your bowl.

Buy ramen bowls & ramen bowl sets, or read our guide to ramen and top ramen recipes

Popular Recipes

Miso Ramen Recipe

9-10 hours
Intermediate
October 15th, 2014

Easy Tonkotsu Ramen Recipe

10 hours
Easy
January 14th, 2020

Ramen Egg (Nitamago) Recipe

4 hours
Easy
January 20th, 2020

Ramen Flavour Bomb: Katsuobushi Salt Recipe

5 minutes
Easy
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A Guide to Miso Ramen

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A Guide to Tonkotsu Ramen

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How To Eat Ramen The Right Way

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Recipes and Buyer's Guides

What Is Ramen & Ramen Recipes To Make At Home
August 12th, 2020
A Guide to Miso Ramen
July 29th, 2022
A Guide to Tonkotsu Ramen
August 1st, 2022
How To Eat Ramen The Right Way
August 1st, 2022
Miso Ramen Recipe
- 9-10 hours
- Intermediate
- October 15th, 2014
Easy Tonkotsu Ramen Recipe
- 10 hours
- Easy
- January 14th, 2020
Ramen Egg (Nitamago) Recipe
- 4 hours
- Easy
- January 20th, 2020
Ramen Flavour Bomb: Katsuobushi Salt Recipe
- 5 minutes
- Easy
- October 14th, 2014

Menu

Japanese Ramen

The main styles of ramen

Other popular ramen dishes

Different types of ramen noodles

How do you eat ramen?

Popular Recipes

Miso Ramen Recipe

Easy Tonkotsu Ramen Recipe

Ramen Egg (Nitamago) Recipe

Ramen Flavour Bomb: Katsuobushi Salt Recipe

Inspire Me

What Is Ramen & Ramen Recipes To Make At Home

A Guide to Miso Ramen

A Guide to Tonkotsu Ramen

How To Eat Ramen The Right Way

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Sakura Ramen Bowl Set

Chouseki Ramen Bowl Set

Hime Chuka Soba Ramen Noodles, 720g

Ramen Noodles, 3 x 180g

Katsuo Bushi Bonito Flakes

Instant Dashi Powder

Kombu For Dashi, 113g

Nihon Shokken Ramen Soup - Tan Tan Men, 2kg

Nihon Shokken Ramen Soup - Soy Sauce Base, 2kg

LGM Crispy Chilli in Oil

Bamboo Ramen Ladle

Japanese Ramen Bowl Set

White Miso Paste, 400g

Japanese Lancewood Chopsticks for Ramen, 23cm

Yukishino Ramen Bowl Set

Karasuba-Iro Ramen Bowl Set

Chouseki Ramen Bowl, 21cm

Yuzu Kosho, 50g

Yukishino Ramen Bowl, 21cm

Blue Wave Ramen Bowl, 21cm

Yozora Ramen Bowl Set

Karasuba-Iro Ramen Bowl, 21cm

Melamine Red & Black Ramen Bowl, 19.5cm

Kadoya Japanese Pure Sesame Oil, 163ml

Seasoned Seaweed Snack Pack, 16g

Children's Chopstick Helper, Lucky Cat

Toasted White Sesame Seeds, 150g

Maple Leaf Ramen Bowl, 21cm

Dried Sliced Shiitake Mushrooms, 30g

Children's Chopstick Helper, Panda

Toasted Black Sesame Seeds, 150g

Mizumi Ramen Bowl, 21cm

Wareta Ramen Bowl, 22cm

Aoi Sen Ramen Bowl, 22cm

Aoi Maru Ramen Bowl, 22cm

Shiroi Maru Ramen Bowl, 22cm

Lucky Cats Chopstick & Rest Set, 4 Pairs

Small Yukishino Ramen Bowl, 19.5cm

Nongshim Shin Ramen Noodles, 5 x 120g

Children's Chopstick Helper, Rabbit

Chairo No Maru Ramen Bowl, 22cm

Set of 5 Wooden Chopsticks

Chairo Ramen Bowl, 22cm

Tan Lucky Cats Chopsticks, 5 Pairs

Menma Ajitsuke Pickled Bamboo Shoots

Clearspring Organic Miso Soup Ramen Noodles, 210g

Ninben Shiro Dashi - Bonito Soup Stock, 500ml

Children's Chopstick Helper, Bear

Yutaka Dashi Kombu, 30g

Komorebi Ramen Bowl, 21cm