Surprising Facts about Ramen
It’s no exaggeration to say that Japanese ramen and Chinese lamian are completely different in flavor, appearance, and characteristics. Although originating from China, the ramen that arrived in Japan incorporated local specialties and regional characteristics, evolving uniquely in various locales to become a national dish representative of Japan.
Lanzhou Beef Noodles (The Origin of Ramen)
The difference between Chinese and Japanese ramen lies in their historical depth. Various theories exist about Chinese lamian, but the famous Lanzhou beef noodles from Gansu Province in China, said to have over 4,000 years of history, are renowned as the prototype of lamian. Reflecting the characteristics of a region with a significant Muslim population, these noodles use a broth made from beef bones, not pork, and are served with more than ten spices, chili oil, and cilantro over hand-pulled thin noodles. Even today, about 3,000 Lanzhou lamian shops can be found in Lanzhou City, where many artisans perform noodle stretching by hand. “La” in Chinese means “to pull,” referring to the method of pulling the dough to make noodles.
Ramen (Typical Japanese Ramen)
In Japan, a noodle dish similar to Chinese noodles appeared in 1488, and there are records of Mito Mitsukuni eating Chinese noodles in 1697, but it was not widely spread among the common people at that time. After the Meiji Restoration, Chinese restaurants run by Chinese expatriates started to appear, and ramen gradually spread. In 1910, the first ramen shop “Rairaiken” opened in Asakusa, and ramen shops began to spread throughout the country. Unlike Chinese ramen, which emphasizes the balance of fat and salt, Japanese ramen features the texture of the noodles, the richness of the soup, and the balance of seasonings such as soy sauce, salt, and miso with broth made from seafood, chicken, or pork. The noodles use kansui, which acts on the proteins (gluten) in the flour, producing a unique flavor and elasticity, and this is a major difference from soba and udon.
Basic Ingredients of Ramen
If noodles and soup are the main actors of lamian, then the supporting roles are played by the toppings. These toppings include standard ingredients, which are originally included in the ramen or can be ordered separately.
Char siu
Known as roast pork, char siu is a representative ramen topping. The preparation varies, and the flavor is typically less spicy compared to Chinese roast pork.
Menma
Menma is a Chinese ingredient made by lacto-fermenting a type of bamboo shoot. 99% of the menma consumed in Japan is imported from China and Taiwan.
Naruto
Naruto is made by grinding fish meat, stretching it, and rolling it. It has a unique appearance of swirling patterns, named after the whirlpools in the Naruto Strait of Shikoku.
Egg/Nori
Toppings such as eggs and nori are often added. Nori is particularly indispensable in Yokohama family-style ramen.
Scallions & Vegetables
Scallions are a representative seasoning for ramen. The way they are chopped can also alter the flavor, making them an essential ingredient. Other vegetables such as bean sprouts and onions are also commonly used.
A Flavor Journey of Ramen Soup
Japanese ramen can be classified into four types of soup bases: soy sauce-based, pork bone-based, miso-based, and salt-based using seafood and chicken. Each region in Japan has its unique style of ramen, mostly falling into these four categories.
Soy Sauce Ramen
“Soy sauce ramen” is said to have originated in 1910 at “Rairaiken” in Asakusa, Tokyo, and is so representative of Japanese ramen that it is generally what is referred to when mentioning “ramen” in Japan.
Tasty Soy Sauce Ramen Shop
淺草 來々軒 Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 2-14-21 Shin-Yokohama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Reputation: The birthplace of soy sauce ramen / Revived as a dining area inside the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum / Recreated menu from Rairaiken, established in 1910 (Meiji 43)
Pork Bone Ramen
“Pork bone ramen” is said to have originated in 1937 from the “Nankin Senryo” street stall in Kurume,Fukuoka Prefecture. The soup is made from pork bones,giving it a characteristic cloudy and rich flavor. Originally popular in the Kyushu region,it has now spread nationwide and is extremely popular among international visitors to Japan.
Tasty Pork Bone Ramen Shop
南京千両 国分店 Map,Business Days,Hours
Address: 1357-15 Nonaka-cho,Kurume City,Fukuoka Prefecture
Reputation: The birthplace of pork bone ramen / Established in 1937 (Showa 12) / Features uncommon curly noodles
Miso Ramen
Miso Ramen was created in 1955 at the popular eatery “Aji no Sanpei” in Sapporo,Hokkaido. Since then,it has spread primarily throughout Sapporo and evolved into various unique styles across Japan. Miso,a fundamental ingredient for Japanese,is ingeniously combined with ramen to form this dish.
Delicious Miso Ramen Shop
味の三平 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 3-2,South 1 West 3,Chuo-ku,Sapporo,Hokkaido,4F
Reputation: The birthplace of Sapporo Miso Ramen / Established in 1950 (Showa 25) / Miso Ramen created in 1954 (Showa 29)
Salt Ramen (Sio Ramen)
Salt Ramen uses salt as its base,creating a broth by simmering kelp and chicken bones. The broth’s color is almost clear,different from the other soy sauce,pork bone,or miso broths. Its toppings include seafood like fish and shellfish,resulting in a light and delicate flavor.
Delicious Salt Ramen Shop
函館ラーメン 西園 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 19-14 Suehiro-cho,Hakodate,Hokkaido
Reputation: A longstanding Hakodate shop originating salt ramen / Founded in 1935 (Showa 10) / Located just a 6-minute walk from the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse / Known for its light salty broth
Authentic Chinese and Japanese-Origin Ramen Story
Authentic Chinese lamian is popular in Japan as well. Meanwhile,some ramens,even named after Chinese places,were actually developed in Japan.
Tantanmen (Sichuan Province,China)
Originating from Sichuan Province in China,Tantanmen in Japan is less spicy than its Chinese counterpart but is considered nearly authentic. It is typically topped with seasoned minced pork,bok choy,and spinach.
Delicious Tantanmen Shops
四川担々麺阿吽湯島本店 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 3-25-11 Yushima,Bunkyo-ku,Tokyo
Reputation: Tantanmen from a Sichuan restaurant in Yushima / Noted for its strong aroma of Sichuan pepper and numbing spiciness
175°Deno担担麺Tokyo Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 7-2-4 Nishi-Shinjuku,Shinjuku-ku,Tokyo,1F
Reputation: A tantanmen specialty shop in Shinjuku / Known for its rich tantanmen soup and flavorful meat miso
担々麺 ほおずき Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 5-52-1 Nakano,Nakano-ku,Tokyo
Reputation: A tantanmen specialty shop in Nakano / Features a broth rich with pork and aromatic vegetables / Spiciness can be adjusted
Knife-Shaved Noodles (Shanxi Province,China)
Knife-shaved noodles,originating from Shanxi Province in China,have recently gained popularity in Japan. This noodle type is known for its unique preparation method,where dough is hand-held and noodles are shaved directly into the pot using a special knife. This technique developed when the Han Chinese under Mongol rule made their own thin iron knives to shave noodles,as metal utensils were taken away.
Delicious Knife-Shaved Noodle Shops
刀削麺 西安飯荘 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 2-10-8 Nishi-Gotanda,Shinagawa-ku,Tokyo,1F
Reputation: A specialty shop offering traditional knife-shaved noodles / A variety of soups including spicy,tantanmen,and sour spicy / Notable for the uneven texture of the noodles
唐朝刀削麺 西新宿店 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 2-3-1 Nishi-Shinjuku,Shinjuku-ku,Tokyo
Reputation: A pioneering shop that first offered traditional Shanxi knife-shaved noodles in Japan / The authentic flavor is adjusted to suit Japanese tastes with a spicy Sichuan twist
刀削麺園 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 3-12-1 Ginza,Chuo-ku,Tokyo
Reputation: A knife-shaved noodle specialty shop / Offers a wide variety of noodles and soups
Wonton Noodles (Hong Kong,China)
Wonton noodles,a lamian with fillings such as shrimp,pork mince,chicken mince,and scallions wrapped in wontons,placed atop the noodles,are a specialty of southern China,including Hong Kong. Now,this globally popular noodle dish is enjoyed worldwide.
Delicious Wonton Noodle Shops
南粤美食 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 165-2 Yamashita-cho,Naka-ku,Yokohama,Kanagawa Prefecture
Reputation: A Cantonese cuisine specialty shop in Yokohama Chinatown / Most popular for “Hong Kong Shrimp Wonton Noodles” / Wontons packed with shrimp / Ultra-thin egg noodles / Traditional Cantonese cuisine by a chef from Guangdong
Hot and Sour Soup Noodles (Sichuan Cuisine + Japanese Ramen)
Originally a type of Sichuan cuisine,hot and sour soup is known for its sour and spicy flavors. The soup is seasoned with vinegar,chili peppers,black pepper,and includes ingredients like tofu,chicken,shiitake mushrooms,wood ear mushrooms,bamboo shoots,long green onions,and tomatoes. It is further spiced with chili oil and doubanjiang,thickened with cornstarch,and finished with beaten eggs. In Japan,boiled noodles are added to create “Hot and Sour Soup Noodles,” a Japanese-Chinese ramen adaptation.
Delicious Hot and Sour Soup Noodle Shops
新潟 三宝亭 東京ラボ Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 2-44-5 Kamimeguro,Meguro-ku,Tokyo
Reputation: Tokyo branch of a long-established Niigata shop / Popular for its thick Mapo noodles / Exquisite balance of spiciness and sourness / Mapo rice bowl also popular
揚州商人 目黒本店 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 1-6-16 Meguro,Meguro-ku,Tokyo,Myeongdong Building 1F
Reputation: Specialty shop for hot and sour soup noodles / Known for its rich soup with a good balance of spiciness and sourness
Tianjin Noodles (Japanese Ramen)
Tianjin Noodles are a Japanese creation derived from Tianjin Rice. This dish does not exist in the actual city of Tianjin,China. The noodles are topped with a thick sauce made from crab meat,eggs,potato starch,and scallions,flavored with chicken bone soup. It is visually appealing and has a significant fan base.
Delicious Tianjin Noodle Shops
東東 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 1-14-4 Kamishiki,Matsudo,Chiba
Reputation: A trending shop taken over by a granddaughter who is a university student from her grandfather / Known for its generous portions
Cantonese Noodles (Japanese Ramen)
Despite being named after the region of Canton in China,Cantonese Noodles originated in Japan. These noodles are covered with a thick,starchy sauce made from stir-fried meat and vegetables in a soy sauce-based broth. This cooking technique using potato starch to create a thick sauce became popular in Chinese restaurants run by Chinese expatriates during the Meiji era,leading to the creation of dishes like Tianjin Noodles and Cantonese Noodles.
Delicious Cantonese Noodle Shops
千勝亭 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 1-6-6 Higashikobashi,Higashinari-ku,Osaka
Reputation: Features lots of vegetables / Soy sauce-based thick sauce / Affordable
Taiwan Mazesoba (Japanese Ramen)
Taiwan Mazesoba,a local ramen from Nagoya,Aichi Prefecture in the central region,is a type of soupless ramen topped with garlic and soy-flavored minced meat on thick noodles. Similar to oil noodles,it uses vibrant ingredients such as garlic chives,onions,fish powder,and egg yolks,making it visually striking. The dish is relatively new,said to have been created in 2008 by a ramen shop in Nagoya.
Delicious Taiwan Mazesoba Shops
麺屋はなび Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 2-18-4 Meieki,Nishi-ku,Nagoya,Aichi,2F
Reputation: The originator of Taiwan Mazesoba / Served in a hot stone pot / The balance between spicy Taiwanese mince and soft-boiled egg is perfect
麺屋まぜはる Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 4-4-5 Asakusabashi,Taito-ku,Tokyo
Reputation: A popular Taiwan Mazesoba shop in Tokyo / Known for its thick noodles,Taiwanese mince,chopped nori,and egg yolk
A Flavor Journey of Uniquely Evolved Ramen
In recent years,new genres of ramen called “creative” or “new wave” have gained attention. These ramens stand out in their ways of eating,appearance,and flavor,symbolizing the diversification of Japan’s ramen culture.
Tsukemen
Tsukemen,where noodles and soup are served in separate bowls,originated in 1955 at “Taishoken” in Tokyo. Mr. Yamagishi of this ramen shop is credited with the origin of tsukemen,having eaten leftover noodles and soup separately. Tsukemen has now become a major category alongside ramen.
Delicious Tsukemen Shops
中野大勝軒 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 3-33-13 Nakano,Nakano-ku,Tokyo,1st floor
Reputation: The birthplace of tsukemen / Mr. Kazuo Yamagishi invented “mori soba” in 1955
Abura Soba
Abura Soba,or “oil noodles,” is a type of soupless ramen where noodles are mixed with a rich sauce made from sesame oil and soy sauce at the bottom of the bowl. It is said to have originated in the Musashino area of Tokyo. Diners can add chili oil,vinegar,and toppings such as soft-boiled eggs,char siu,menma,and scallions according to their taste.
Delicious Abura Soba Shops
珍々亭 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 5-17-21 Sakai,Musashino City,Tokyo
Reputation: The birthplace of oil noodles / Near Asia University’s Musashino Campus / Flavor adjusted with provided chili oil and vinegar
Ramen Jiro
Ramen Jiro is a unique style of ramen created in 1968 by Mr. Yamada,a ramen shop owner in Tokyo. Known for its pork bone-based soy sauce soup,thick noodles,and a mountain of vegetables,it looks and tastes quite different from other ramens,almost representing a separate genre of ramen. Ramen influenced by Ramen Jiro is known as “Jiro-style” ramen.
Delicious Jiro-style Ramen Shops
ラーメン二郎 三田本店 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 2-16-4 Mita,Minato-ku,Tokyo
Reputation: The birthplace of Ramen Jiro / 41 direct franchise stores nationwide / Originally established in 1968 in Meguro,Tokyo,and moved to the current location in the early 1970s
Yokohama Family-style Ramen
Yokohama Family-style Ramen,originating from Yokohama,Kanagawa Prefecture in the Kanto region after 1974,uses pork bone soy sauce-based soup with thick noodles. The name comes from the practice of adding “family” to the names of the shops serving this ramen. Typical ingredients include spinach,nori,and char siu. Yokohama Family-style Ramen is extremely popular across Asia.
Delicious Yokohama Family-Style Ramen Shops
家系総本山 吉村家 Map,Business Days,Business Hours
Address: 1-6-4 Okano,Nishi-ku,Yokohama,Kanagawa Prefecture
Reputation: The birthplace of Yokohama family-style ramen / Opened in 1974 / Approximately 1,000 stores in Japan and Asia
