The Ultimate Ramen Experience: An Adventure Through the Heart and Flavor of Japan

Japanese ramen has fans all over the world. It's more than just a noodle dish; it embodies the local culture and passion of its people. The endless flavors that unfold in a single bowl are sure to be an unforgettable experience for travelers to Japan. We'll provide you with all the information you need to enjoy Japanese ramen to the fullest, from the diverse styles of ramen to smart ordering tips, essential etiquette, and even options to meet special dietary needs.

1. Must-know! Typical types of ramen

There are many different types of ramen in Japan, and if you understand the main types, you're sure to find a bowl that suits your taste.

Tonkotsu ramen: rich flavor

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Tonkotsu ramen, which originated mainly in the Kyushu region, particularly in Hakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, is characterized by its creamy, rich, cloudy soup, which is made by simmering pork bones for a long time. Many restaurants use thin noodles that are easy to swallow. One of the joys of Hakata-style ramen is enjoying the change in flavor with the pickled ginger, mustard greens, and sesame seeds that are placed on the table.

Shoyu Ramen: A simple yet profound classic

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Shoyu ramen is the origin of Japanese ramen and the most popular. The addition of soy sauce to a light soup based on chicken and pork bones creates a deep flavor that varies from restaurant to restaurant. Its clear appearance belies its rich aroma and deep flavor, and it is a part of the tradition of Japanese "chuka soba" (chuka noodles), which continues to be loved by people of all ages.

Miso Ramen: A Heartwarming Taste of Hokkaido

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Miso ramen, which originated in Sapporo, Hokkaido, was created in the cold climate of Hokkaido as a rich bowl of ramen that warms you from the inside out. The standard ramen is made with pork bone or chicken stock, with miso dissolved in it and topped with plenty of stir-fried vegetables and minced meat. The soup, which combines the mellow aroma of miso with the sweetness of vegetables, will warm your heart with every sip. We also recommend adding corn, butter, and even vegetables like bean sprouts for a more filling bowl.

Salt Ramen: Delicacy that makes the most of the ingredients

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Shio ramen, with its eye-catching, crystal-clear soup, is appealing for its delicate flavor that retains the natural umami of the ingredients. The broth is carefully extracted from chicken, seafood, kelp, and other ingredients, and seasoned with a small amount of salt, allowing you to enjoy the natural flavor of the ingredients. While light, it has a deep richness hidden within. Condiments such as yuzu peel and mitsuba (Japanese parsley) further enhance the aroma.

2. Evolutionary Ramen: Tsukemen and Mazesoba

Japanese ramen continues to evolve every day. In addition to the classic ramen, we will introduce some styles of ramen that you should definitely try.

Tsukemen: Noodles and soup served separately.

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"Tsukemen" is served with hot noodles and a thick soup for dipping in them, in separate bowls. The noodles are often thicker than regular ramen, allowing you to fully enjoy the original flavor of the noodles. The soup is typically rich and punchy, with a seafood or pork bone and seafood flavor.

After you've finished eating the noodles, you can dilute the remaining soup with more broth to enjoy "soup wari," which is a unique way to enjoy tsukemen.

Mazesoba/Aburasoba: Noodle dish without soup

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Mazesoba and abura soba are ramen without soup. The noodles and toppings are thoroughly mixed with the special sauce or oil at the bottom of the bowl before eating.

The appeal of this ramen is that you can freely add various toppings (egg yolk, roasted pork fillet, green onions, bamboo shoots, onions, etc.) to customize it to your own original taste.

3. Ordering and etiquette for beginners!

Japanese ramen restaurants have their own unique culture, but as long as you understand the basics, you can enjoy it with ease.

Many ramen restaurants have a system where you choose your menu from a ticket machine located as soon as you enter the store.

1. Switching languages : First, find the language button, such as "English," in the top right corner of the screen and switch the display.

2. Menu Selection : Choose your favorite ramen, toppings, and side dishes. If you're unsure, it's safe to choose "Recommended" or "Standard Ramen."

3. Payment: Insert cash (Japanese yen) and receive your meal ticket and change. (Some stores accept credit cards, but they are rare, so be careful.)

4. Hand over your meal ticket : Hand over the meal ticket you purchased to the staff. At this time, depending on the store, you may be asked about the hardness of the noodles (such as "barikata," "kata," "futsuu," or "yawa"), the strength of the flavor, and the amount of oil. If you don't know the answer, just say "futsuu (futsu)" and you'll be fine.

Ramen Etiquette

• Eat ramen while it's hot: The best way to eat ramen is to start eating it while it's still hot after it comes out.

• Slurping: In Japan, slurping ramen or soba is a sign that the food is delicious and is not bad manners.

• Drink the soup without straining yourself: Although drinking the entire soup is considered "finishing the meal," it is not compulsory. There is no need to force yourself to drink it all, so just enjoy it.

4. Vegetarian/Vegan Ramen

Recently, as people with diverse food cultures from all over the world have begun to visit Japan, the number of ramen restaurants that cater to vegetarians and vegans has also increased.There are ramen restaurants that use no chicken or pork bones at all, and instead use only plant-based ingredients such as vegetables, mushrooms, and kelp, as well as ramen restaurants that use soy meat and are similar to char siu.

Tips for finding: Searching online for "Vegan Ramen Tokyo" or "Vegetarian Ramen Kyoto" will help you find restaurants that serve these dishes.

· Check in advance: If you are unsure, a surefire way is to contact the store in advance via messaging on social media or email.

5. Enjoy the side dishes too!

In addition to the main dish, ramen, you can also enjoy delicious side dishes that are unique to Japan. Enjoying these along with your ramen will further enrich your dining experience.

Along with ramen, gyoza , fried rice , and fried chicken are also popular.

We also recommend eating the ramen soup with rice.

6. A journey to find your own "ultimate cup of coffee"

There are a huge number of ramen restaurants all over Japan. It's great to visit famous restaurants that you've seen on the internet or in guidebooks, but you might also find the ultimate bowl of ramen by walking around town without any prior knowledge and heading into a restaurant that makes you think, "This is it!"

Furthermore, even the same restaurant may have seasonal ramen, and the flavor of the soup may change subtly depending on the mood of the chef; it is a traditional Japanese dish with a deep depth of meaning.

Find your own special cup.

Reference Site List

• Ramen Database (RaNavi)

• Tabelog

• Gurunavi

• Japan Guide - Ramen

• Official website of each ramen shop

• Vegan Japan Guide

• Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)