Ramen

Chinese-style Soup Noodles with Toppings

Despite its roots in China, Ramen was developed originally in Japan, establishing itself as a world-renowned food. On holidays, people would form a line for a delicious bowl a local celebrated shop can offer. On weekday nights, tipsy-happy drinkers may crave it as the Shime (post-drinking meal) to finish off the day’s drinking. Young or old, men or women, drinkers or non-drinkers, this is a food loved by almost the entire population! And the selections are diverse. Broth-wise, in addition to Tonkotsu (pork bone), there are various chicken- and seafood-based soups seasoned with Shōyu, Miso, or salt. Toppings include Yaki Buta (grilled and seasoned pork slices), Menma or Shina Chiku (fermented bamboo shoots), Neghi (Welsh onions), Moyashi (bean sprouts), Kikurage and so on. Each restaurant has its own broths and topping items. When you order your Ramen and as soon as a steamy dish is served, pick up the Renghe spoon to check the soup. If it’s Tonkotsu, for example, it will give a refined combination of fat and collagen. Then, grab some threads of noodles with chopsticks and slurp them in. Soup again. After repeating this cycle several times, now it’s time to add Beni Shōga for a change of flavour. If you are ready for a noodle refill, order Kae Dama, generally available at Tonkotsu Ramen restaurants. A waiteperson will slip it into your remaining soup when ordered.

Shōyu Ramen with Neghi and Yuzu Oroshi or Yuzu citrus mixed Daikon Oroshi.)	Elegant Tantan Men at a Ramen shop in Nara.	Shōyu Ramen with a broth based seafood at a Ramen shop in Nara.
Tonkotsu Ramen.	Katsuo Bushi Shōyu Ramen.	Jukusei Tori Soba or rich chicken-based Ramen.
Se-abura Niboshi Ramen based on pork-fat and small dried fish broth.	Ten’ichi Kotteri Ramen, an extra-thick soup Ramen at a famous Tenka Ippin shop.	Rare Tai Ramen or sea bream Ramen with an elegantly-tasted soup.
Saika Ramen a.k.a. Tenri Ramen in Nara, featuring abundant Hakusai topping.	Miso Ramen based on sweet, aromatic Miso broth.	Special Shōyu Ramen with dynamic Yakibuta topping.
Want to check more? See this sister site (Japanese).

Shōyu Ramen with Neghi and Yuzu Oroshi or Yuzu citrus mixed Daikon Oroshi.) Elegant Tantan Men at a Ramen shop in Nara. Shōyu Ramen with a broth based seafood at a Ramen shop in Nara. Tonkotsu Ramen. Katsuo Bushi Shōyu Ramen. Jukusei Tori Soba or rich chicken-based Ramen. Se-abura Niboshi Ramen based on pork-fat and small dried fish broth. Ten’ichi Kotteri Ramen, an extra-thick soup Ramen at a famous Tenka Ippin shop. Rare Tai Ramen or sea bream Ramen with an elegantly-tasted soup. Saika Ramen a.k.a. Tenri Ramen in Nara, featuring abundant Hakusai topping. Miso Ramen based on sweet, aromatic Miso broth. Special Shōyu Ramen with dynamic Yakibuta topping. Want to check more? See this sister site (Japanese).