■The History of Ramen
Ramen, initially a Chinese noodle dish, arrived in Japan during the late Edo period when Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, and Hakodate opened up to the world, attracting many foreign residents. Chinese cuisine, including noodles, spread during the Meiji era, with Chinese students contributing to restaurants expanding beyond port cities. In 1910, "Rairaiken," Japan's first ramen restaurant, opened in Asakusa, Tokyo, serving "Nanking soba" or "Shina soba." Its success marked the "first year of ramen." Post-war, ramen stalls operated by Chinese repatriates emerged, evolving over 100 years into a unique Japanese dish.
■Types of Ramen
Dive into the rich tapestry of ramen varieties, from the robust tonkotsu ramen to the elegant shoyu ramen and the umami-packed miso ramen. Explore the nuanced flavors, noodle textures, and distinctive broths that define each unique style.
Below are representative types of ramen.
Shoyu Ramen
This is the traditional ramen flavor. It features a simple, rustic taste where you can savor the natural flavors of the ingredients. Soy sauce-based ramen pairs well with Japanese cuisine and is becoming more popular in various eateries. The toppings are relatively simple but often high in quality, showcasing the emphasis on ingredients.
Miso Ramen
Miso ramen is considered the most popular flavor in Hokkaido. Its rich, hearty broth, following tonkotsu, appeals greatly to young people. Adding butter or corn enhances its sweetness, making it popular even among children.
Salt Ramen
Refreshing salt ramen is particularly popular among women and makes for a perfect finish to a meal. There are variations, ranging from lighter flavors to richer ones with added butter. Its salt base pairs well with seafood, making it a favored choice. There's also an increasing trend of salt ramen infused with seafood broth, such as clam, further diversifying options.
Tonkotsu Ramen
In recent years, tonkotsu flavor has gained significant momentum in the ramen scene. Its rich, flavorful broth attracts young people and men, with many regulars visiting their favorite spots weekly. In bustling districts, it's common to see multiple ramen shops competing, most of which feature tonkotsu ramen as their flagship dish. Variations like tonkotsu shoyu and salt tonkotsu have evolved with traditional flavors, adding their unique twist.
Popular ramen shops among foreigners like Ichiran and Mutekiya Ramen are classified under this tonkotsu (pork bone broth) base.
Chicken Paitan (Tori Paitan) Ramen
Chicken paitan ramen features a creamy, opaque broth made from chicken bones. Despite its thick consistency, it has a clean aftertaste, appealing to many. Many shops offer toppings like chicken chashu and egg, adding to its appeal as a healthy yet satisfying ramen option.
■Regional Specialties
Ramen has undergone unique evolution in various regions across Japan, a significant characteristic of the dish. Enjoying these so-called local ramen varieties has become one of the pleasures for ramen enthusiasts. For reference, here are some representative local ramen styles:
Sapporo Ramen
Known for its rich miso broth and thick noodles, representing Hokkaido's ramen culture.
Hakodate Ramen
Features a clear and simple salt-based broth, offering a refreshing taste.
Kitakata Ramen
Originating from Fukushima Prefecture, it boasts a fish-based soy sauce broth and thick noodles.
Hachioji Ramen
Notable for its chopped onion topping, served in a soy sauce broth with medium-thin noodles.
Sanma Ramen
A Kanagawa specialty, characterized by its thick sauce ramen with various toppings.
Yokohama Iekei Ramen
"Iekei ramen" is a Yokohama-originated style known for its rich, pork-based broth and firm noodles. It features toppings like chashu, green onions, nori, and boiled egg. The broth's hearty flavor complements the noodles and chashu. It's gained popularity both locally and internationally for its unique taste and texture.
Hakata Ramen
Hailing from the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen, it boasts a tonkotsu-based broth with thin noodles and simple toppings.
■Side Dishes and Accompaniments
In many ramen shops, side dishes are offered in addition to ramen, and combining ramen with side dishes is also one of the pleasures. Below are some typical side menu items.
Gyoza: Gyoza
Dish made by wrapping thin dough around meat or vegetable filling and then frying or steaming it. It's commonly served with a soy sauce and vinegar dipping sauce.
Fried Rice (Chahan)
Chahan is a type of Chinese cuisine made by stir-frying rice with various ingredients. Common ingredients include vegetables, shrimp, char siu (roast pork), and eggs.
White Rice
White rice is a staple commonly found in Japanese cuisine. Carefully cooked white rice enhances the satisfaction when eaten with ramen.
Karaage (Fried Chicken)
Karaage is a dish where chicken or other meats are coated in flour and deep-fried. Juicy and crispy karaage is popular as a side dish for ramen.
Beer
Beer pairs perfectly with ramen!
The above are classic side menu items, but please note that some restaurants may not offer them.
■Popular Ramen Shops
Mutekiya Pork Bone
Feature: Mutekiya is known for its rich pork bone-based soup, offering a deep and flavorful taste.
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Store Information: Mutekiya has several representative stores in Tokyo, including locations in Shibuya and Shinjuku. More Infomation below
Ichiran
Feature: Ichiran is characterized by its rich pork bone soup and special straight noodles. It also offers unique services such as ticket-based ordering and a distinctive way of eating.
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Store Information: Ichiran has branches across Japan, with prominent locations in Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Shibuya.
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Ippudo
Feature: Ippudo's soup combines pork bone and chicken broth, resulting in a rich and flavorful taste with a hint of garlic.
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Store Information: Ippudo has numerous branches nationwide, with notable stores in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro.
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Afuri
Feature: Afuri's soup is based on chicken broth infused with yuzu citrus, offering a refreshing taste that appeals to health-conscious individuals.
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Store Information: Afuri has multiple locations in Tokyo, including branches in Ebisu and Roppongi.
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Tenkaippin
Feature: Tenkaippin's soup features a pork bone base with added back fat and vegetables for a rich and savory flavor, often complemented by a garlic seasoning.
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Store Information: Tenkaippin has numerous outlets nationwide, including prominent ones in Shinjuku Nishiguchi and Ikebukuro Higashiguchi.
More Infomation below https://www.tripadvisor.com/Search?searchSessionId=001c6903db3d6792.ssid&q=Tenkaippin&sid=FE91EBB90A6049D397E51B583FCB3DCD1709003693009&blockRedirect=true&ssrc=a&isSingleSearch=true&geo=1
Jinrui Minamenrui
Feature: Jinrui Minamenrui offers homemade noodles and unique soup bases using locally-sourced ingredients, resulting in diverse regional flavors.
Store Information: Jinrui Minamenrui focuses on local communities, with multiple outlets in each region.
More Infomation below https://www.tripadvisor.com/Search?searchSessionId=001c6903db3d6792.ssid&q=Jinrui%20Minamenrui&sid=FE91EBB90A6049D397E51B583FCB3DCD1709003717001&blockRedirect=true&ssrc=a&isSingleSearch=true&geo=1
Ramen Alley
Feature: Ramen Alley is a hub for various ramen shops, offering a wide selection of ramen from local to nationwide flavors.
Store Information: Ramen Alley is primarily located in major cities, with places like "Shinjuku Golden Gai" near Shinjuku Station in Tokyo being prominent.
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Sumire
Feature: Sumire's soup combines pork bone and chicken broth with vegetables and seafood, creating a deep and rich flavor profile. Their homemade noodles are also a distinctive feature.
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Store Information: Sumire has a presence mainly in Hokkaido, with flagship stores in Sapporo Susukino and Hakodate.
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Aji no Sanpei
Feature: Aji no Sanpei features a light soup base made from seafood, paired with thin noodles for a refreshing taste. Using locally sourced seafood ensures a fresh flavor.
Store Information: Aji no Sanpei primarily operates along coastal regions, with its main store located in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.
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■Extra
Tsukemen and TantanmenIn Japan, as derivatives of ramen, unique varieties such as tantanmen and tsukemen exist. If you love ramen, be sure to give them a try.
Tantanmen
Tantanmen is a type of ramen characterized by spicy sesame-based broth, often with ground pork, green onions, and other toppings. It originates from Sichuan cuisine but has been adapted in Japan with various regional variations.
Tsukemen
Tsukemen is a style of ramen where noodles are served separately from the broth. The noodles are thick and chewy, meant to be dipped into a concentrated broth typically made from seafood, pork, or chicken. It offers a different texture and flavor experience compared to traditional ramen.
Here are some representative shops:
Hashigo
Feature: Hashigo specializes in serving "hashigo" or ladder-style ramen, where customers can enjoy multiple bowls of ramen in different shops during a single outing.
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Store Information: Hashigo establishments can be found in various ramen alleys and districts across Japan, particularly in major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
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New Tantanmen
Feature: New Tantanmen is known for its spicy and flavorful tantanmen ramen, featuring a rich and creamy broth infused with chili oil and topped with ground pork and vegetables.
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Store Information: New Tantanmen has branches mainly in urban areas, particularly in Tokyo and Yokohama, offering a variety of tantanmen options to customers.
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Rokurinsha
Feature: Rokurinsha is famous for its tsukemen, a style of ramen where noodles are served separately from the soup for dipping. The soup is thick and savory, made from a blend of pork and seafood broth.
heck out this helpful video!
Store Information: Rokurinsha has flagship stores in Tokyo, including one in Tokyo Station's Ramen Street, as well as branches in other major cities like Osaka and Kyoto.
More Infomation below
Embark on a culinary journey through Japan's ramen landscape, where tradition meets innovation, and each bowl tells a tale of culinary artistry. Let the allure of Tokyo's ramen scene spark your curiosity and pave the way for an unforgettable gastronomic adventure across Japan.
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