A comforting bowl of Ramen noodles… Ramen has always been close to my heart. It is not just food for me—it is a part of my life, my culture, and my memories. Today, I would like to share with you the beautiful journey of Ramen across Japan. Each region has its own style, each bowl tells its own story. I hope this will bring you closer to understanding and loving Ramen as much as I do!
What is Ramen?
Ramen is a Japanese noodle dish served in a meat- or fish-based broth, flavoured with miso, soy sauce, salt, etc., and topped with various ingredients such as Chashu (sliced barbecued pork), spring onions, boiled eggs, nori seaweed, bamboo shoots, and a variety of vegetables. The noodles are made from wheat, salt, and alkaline water. Alkaline water gives ramen noodles their distinct texture, setting them apart from other types of Japanese noodles like Udon or Somen, which are made only from wheat, salt, and water. The thickness (thick or thin) and shape (straight or wavy) of the noodles vary depending on the type of broth. These variations in noodles, broth, and toppings make each regional ramen unique.
It is believed that Chinese-style noodle soup was originally introduced to Japan in the late 19th or early 20th century by Chinese immigrants living in Yokohama's Chinatown (the largest Chinatown in Japan). The word "ramen" is a Japanese borrowing of the Chinese word "lamian," which means pulled noodles. Today, ramen is an iconic Japanese dish that we have shaped and perfected over the years. It's amazing to see how this simple dish has become so beloved around the world. In Japan, you can find ramen shops (including restaurants, stalls, and standing ramen bars) in every neighbourhood—an incredible 32,000 shops! For comparison, there are approximately 1,300 McDonald’s restaurants in the UK and over 36,000 worldwide, so you can imagine just how many ramen shops exist in Japan alone!
The Three Major Ramen Flavours in Japan
Japan is a country of many different landscapes and climates, and this diversity is reflected in our Ramen. Here are three major varieties of delicious Ramen noodles travelling from the snow-covered landscapes of Hokkaido through the bustling streets of Tokyo to south island of Kyushu. As you travel from the north to the south, you will find that Ramen recipes changes with each region, each place adding its own special touch to the dish.
Sapporo Ramen
In the cold, snowy north, where I have been many times, Hokkaido is famous for its Miso Ramen. This Ramen is rich and warming, perfect for the cold weather. The broth is made with miso, which gives it a deep, hearty flavour. It often has corn and butter, which makes it even more satisfying. The noodles are thick and wavy, perfect for holding the rich broth. When you eat this Ramen, you can feel the warmth spreading through your body, a perfect comfort in the winter months!
Kitakata Ramen
In the mountains of Fukushima, there is a town called Kitakata. Here, they make Shoyu Ramen, which has a clear, light broth made with soy sauce. The noodles are thick and flat, almost like Udon, and they are handmade, which gives them a chewy texture. This Ramen is simple, pure, and very satisfying. It’s a taste that brings me back to the countryside, to simpler times.
Hakata Ramen
Travel down south to Kyushu and you'll encounter Tonkotsu Ramen, the pride of Fukuoka. This style is famous for its rich, creamy, and almost milky broth, made by boiling pork bones for hours until they release their collagen and marrow. From Hakata, capital of Fukuoka prefecture, Hakata Ramen is a variation of Tonkotsu Ramen but has its own style. The noodles are ultra-thin and firm, served al dente, and the broth is slightly lighter. Often, distinctive toppings such as crushed garlic, pickled ginger, sesame seeds, and spicy pickled mustard greens are left on tables for customers to serve themselves.
Whilst I encourage everyone to visit Japan and experience the real Ramen there, I know that’s not always possible. But you can still bring a piece of Japan into your home. At The Japanese shop, we have an amazing range of beautiful, authentic Ramen bowls. These bowls are made with care and reflect the artistry of Japanese craftsmanship. They are perfect for you to enjoy your Ramen at home, making your meal feel more special and connected to the Japanese tradition!
(Kikyo Japanese Ramen Noodle Bowl)
You can even try making Ramen noodles yourself too! We teamed up with Taste of Japan and are happy to introduce you their ramen product. HIGASHIMARU Japanese Samurai Vegan Ramen Set is one of the most delicious packet Ramen noodles you can find in the UK. With a clear instruction, it is so easy to make. Have you seen our post of our Ramen evening? If not, why don’t you check it out here? We thoroughly enjoyed this Ramen. You can arrange any toppings such as Charshu (sliced barbequed pork) or sliced ham, spring onions, nori, boiled egg, beansprouts or any kind of vegetables, seaweed etc. As it is vegan Ramen, if you omit any meat topping and you can have it vegan friendly!
We also have Ramen recipe book 'Simply Ramen Japanese Cookbook', so why not give it a try and make your own delicious Ramen at home?
Thank you for accompanying me on our Ramen journey! Now that we reached the end of it, I will reveal a little secret for you lovely readers only…! We are planning to open another competition on our Instagram page this weekend 20th – 22nd September. There is a chance to win a Lucky Cat Japanese Ramen Noodle Bowl Gift Set plus HIGASHIMARU Japanese Samurai Vegan Ramen!! Keep your eyes peeled for more information on our Instagram!