What is Ramen?
A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Ramen
What is Ramen?
Ramen is a Japanese noodle dish made with wheat noodles served in a flavorful soup, usually with toppings such as sliced pork, green onions, bamboo shoots, or a soft-boiled egg.
There are many different styles of ramen in Japan. The soup, noodles, toppings, and even the way ramen is served can vary from region to region and from shop to shop.
Different Ramen Broths
There are countless ramen variations in Japan, but these are some of the most common styles you may see on a menu:
- Shoyu Ramen（醤油ラーメン） — Soy sauce-based ramen with a savory, umami-rich flavor. It can range from light to quite rich depending on the shop.
- Shio Ramen（塩ラーメン） — Salt-based ramen, often lighter and cleaner in flavor.
- Miso Ramen（味噌ラーメン） — Miso-based ramen with a deeper and richer flavor.
- Tonkotsu Ramen（豚骨ラーメン） — Ramen made with pork bone broth, often creamy, rich, and cloudy in appearance.
- Fish & Seafood-Based Ramen — Some ramen uses ingredients such as niboshi（煮干し）, dried sardines, seafood, or shellfish to create a distinctive broth.
There’s no single “best” ramen to start with. Your favorite may simply depend on your taste, so trying different styles is part of the fun.
Ramen Noodles
The noodles are another important part of ramen. They can differ in thickness, shape, and texture.
- Thin noodles
- Medium or thick noodles
- Straight noodles
- Curly or wavy noodles
- Flat noodles
Some ramen shops also let you choose the firmness of your noodles.
Regional Ramen in Japan
One of the best things about ramen in Japan is how much it changes from region to region. Local ingredients, soup styles, noodles, and cooking methods have created many regional varieties.
Sapporo Ramen（札幌ラーメン） — Hokkaido
Hokkaido’s famous miso ramen, often served with medium-thick wavy noodles. Butter, sweet corn, and vegetables are common toppings.
Hakata Ramen（博多ラーメン） — Fukuoka
A famous Fukuoka style of tonkotsu ramen, known for its thin straight noodles and cloudy pork-bone broth. Some shops offer kaedama（替え玉）, or extra noodles.
Kitakata Ramen（喜多方ラーメン） — Fukushima
A regional ramen from Fukushima, known for its broad, flattened, wavy noodles. Shoyu-based soup is common.
Hiyashi Ramen（冷やしラーメン） — Yamagata
A Yamagata specialty of chilled ramen served in a cold soy sauce-based broth. It is especially popular during Japan’s hot summers.
Tokyo Ramen（東京ラーメン） — Tokyo
Tokyo has a long history of shoyu ramen, often made with a dashi-rich soup and toppings such as chashu, menma, green onions, and nori.
Toyama Black Ramen（富山ブラック）— Toyama
A Toyama specialty known for its very dark, strongly flavored shoyu-based soup.
More regional ramen coming soon →
Popular Ramen Styles
You may also come across different ramen styles that are known for their distinctive way of preparing and serving ramen.
- Yokohama Iekei Ramen（横浜家系ラーメン） — A rich style of ramen associated with Yokohama, usually combining a pork-and-chicken broth with a shoyu-based sauce.
- Jiro-style Ramen（二郎系ラーメン） — Known for very generous portions, thick noodles, and abundant toppings such as bean sprouts and pork.
Common Ramen Toppings & Condiments
Ramen toppings vary from shop to shop, but these are some of the ingredients you may commonly see:
- Chashu（チャーシュー） — sliced braised or roasted pork
- Menma（メンマ） — seasoned bamboo shoots
- Ajitama（味玉） — seasoned soft-boiled egg
- Nori（海苔） — dried seaweed
- Naruto（ナルト） — fish cake
- Green onions（ねぎ）
- Bean sprouts（もやし）
- Wood ear mushrooms（きくらげ）
- Spinach（ほうれん草）
- Corn and butter — especially common with some Hokkaido-style ramen
- Pickled ginger（紅生姜） — often served with Hakata-style ramen
Some ramen shops also have seasonings on the table, such as pepper, vinegar, chili oil, or garlic, so you can adjust the flavor as you eat.
How to Order Ramen in Japan
Many ramen shops in Japan use a ticket vending machine instead of taking your order at the table. This can feel confusing at first, especially when the machine is only in Japanese!
① Find the Ticket Machine
Look for a ticket vending machine near the entrance. Some machines accept cash only, while others also accept cards or electronic payments.
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② Choose Your Ramen
Choose the ramen you want, then select any additional toppings, drinks, or side dishes if available.
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③ Pay and Take Your Ticket
Insert your payment, press the button for your order, and take your ticket and change.
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④ Give Your Ticket to the Staff
Hand your ticket to the staff and find a seat. Your ramen will usually be prepared while you wait.
My Tip for First-Time Ramen Eaters
Don’t decide what you like after trying just one bowl. Ramen can taste completely different depending on the region, restaurant, soup, and noodles. If you have the chance, try a few different styles and find your own favorite.
Enjoy a local ramen experience in Japan! 🍜