Ramen
Japanese wheat-noodle soup in a rich broth with pork, egg and toppings. · Japan
Japanese wheat-noodle soup in a rich broth with pork, egg and toppings.
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AI-generated illustrative footage · Whatwherevacay.com
About Ramen
Ramen is a bowl of springy wheat noodles in a seasoned broth, topped with sliced chashu pork, a soft marinated egg, nori, spring onion and bamboo shoots. Styles are defined by their broth and tare seasoning — from the cloudy, collagen-rich tonkotsu of Kyushu to soy-based shoyu, salt-based shio and hearty miso ramen.
Regional and intensely personal, ramen is fast food elevated to obsession.
🏛️ History & Culture
Ramen arrived from China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries — early on it was even called shina soba, "Chinese noodles" — and was adapted into a distinctly Japanese dish. It boomed as cheap, filling fuel in the hungry years after the Second World War.
The 1958 invention of instant ramen by Momofuku Ando carried it worldwide, while in Japan ramen evolved into a craft with fierce regional rivalries and shops devoted to a single perfected bowl.
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Ramen — frequently asked questions
What is Ramen?
Ramen is a bowl of springy wheat noodles in a seasoned broth, topped with sliced chashu pork, a soft marinated egg, nori, spring onion and bamboo shoots. Styles are defined by their broth and tare seasoning — from the cloudy, collagen-rich tonkotsu of Kyushu to soy-based shoyu, salt-based shio and hearty miso…
What is Ramen made of?
Ramen is made with wheat noodles, pork or miso broth, chashu pork, soft egg and scallions.
Where does Ramen come from?
Ramen comes from Japan, and is especially associated with Nationwide. Ramen arrived from China in the late 19th and early 20th centuries — early on it was even called shina soba, "Chinese noodles" — and was adapted into a distinctly Japanese dish.
Where can I eat Ramen?
A specialist ramen-ya; order at the ticket machine and slurp loudly.
Taste Ramen in Tokyo
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✅ Before you go to Japan
Round out your trip — most travellers book these alongside their trip.
More dishes like Ramen
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- 🇯🇵 Gyoza · Japan
- 🇯🇵 Shabu-Shabu · Japan
- 🇯🇵 Shoyu Ramen · Japan
- 🇯🇵 Tobiko · Japan
- 🇯🇵 Yakisoba · Japan
- 🇯🇵 Horenso no Goma-ae · Japan
- 🇮🇹 Ditalini · Italy
- 🇮🇹 Fusilli · Italy
- 🇮🇹 Spaghettoni · Italy
- 🇸🇰 Bryndzové Halušky · Slovakia
- 🇨🇳 Rice Vermicelli · China
- 🇱🇧 Bukaj Baklava · Lebanon
- 🇻🇳 Bánh mì Giò Thủ · Vietnam
- 🇨🇳 Rousong · China
- 🇱🇧 Fattoush · Lebanon
- 🇮🇩 Sate Babi · Indonesia
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