But I think many foreign people don't know about Japanese ramen very much.
So I will introduce you to some informations about ramen. Then I want you to get the interesting ramen culture and enjoy.
1.about ramen
First of all I will introduce about ramen.1-1.history
Ramen's history start in ancient generation about 600 years old. Rame culture came from China at first.Then in nowadays, ramen culture was spread in 1923, when big earthquake in Tokyo area. And many ramen restaurant were opened.
Now ramen culture has been developing. And good ramen restaurants have original good ramen.
1-2.Kinds of ramen
There are a lot of kinds of ramen. So I cannot introduce all categories of ramen. Then in this article, I introduce the representative ramen categories.1-2-1.Miso ramen
Miso ramen has the characteristics of ramen soup. The ramen soup is made from miso, tonkotsu (pig bors), torigara(chicken borns) and vegetables.Miso ramen is made in Sapporo in Hokkaido at first. Firstly miso ramen was developed in popular restaurant. The master of restaurant considered the soup with various miso, and had completed miso ramen.
1-2-2.Syoyu ramen (soy sauce ramen)
You know soy sauce is very popular ingredient in Japan. So ramen also is made from ramen soup with soy sauce.The soup of syoyu ramen (soy sauce ramen) soup is made from soy sauce, tonkotsu (pig borns), torigara (chicken borns) , vegetables.
Syoyu ramen (soy sauce ramen) is Asakusa in Tokyo in the first time about 110 years ago. So syoyu ramen (soy sauce ramen) might be basic ramen in Japan.
1-2-3.Sio ramen(salt ramen)
Sio ramen is lightly ramen. It is based on salt and soup. Actually the soup is made from pig borns, chicken borns and vegetables. But the soup is clear in the sight.First sio ramen is made in Hokkaido about 130 years ago. It is the next of Edo period. So, it would be very different from nowadays.
1-2-4.Tonkotsu ramen
Tonkotsu ramen's characteristic is the white soup. The soup is based on tonkotsu and torigara and vegetables. But there is difference from another ramen soup.
By the way, you know if there is a difference of firepower, the dish is also different. So tonkotsu ramen's soup is different from another ramen's soup by firepower. Tonkotsu's is stronger. By strong firepower, pork borns and chicken borns make another soup from miso, syoyu, and sio.
The tonkotsu ramen's famous town is Hakata in Fukuoka prefecture. The town is so far from Tokyo. But if you might be ramen otaku, it is recommended.
By the way, you know if there is a difference of firepower, the dish is also different. So tonkotsu ramen's soup is different from another ramen's soup by firepower. Tonkotsu's is stronger. By strong firepower, pork borns and chicken borns make another soup from miso, syoyu, and sio.
The tonkotsu ramen's famous town is Hakata in Fukuoka prefecture. The town is so far from Tokyo. But if you might be ramen otaku, it is recommended.
2. Knowledge when you order ramen
In this section, I will introduce some knowledge of ramen.
2-1.about soup
I think that you should know other knowledge of basic ramen soup tastes that are miso, syoyu, and sio.
When you eat ramen if you could know how much oily in the soup, you can enjoy more interestingly.
The word "assari"and"kotteri" are Japanese expression. It is important that when you choose ramen soup taste, I guess.
When you eat ramen if you could know how much oily in the soup, you can enjoy more interestingly.
The word "assari"and"kotteri" are Japanese expression. It is important that when you choose ramen soup taste, I guess.
2-1-1.assari (lightly)
Ramen soup is usually made from tonkotsu and torigara. So basically it is containing oil. But all of people don't like oily ramen.
Then if you don't want to oily ramen, you can choose lightly ramen called "assari"
Assari means lightly taste. So you want to eat lightly ramen, you should look for the keywords "assari". Then if you could get the keyword of assari, you can eat lightly ramen.
Then if you don't want to oily ramen, you can choose lightly ramen called "assari"
Assari means lightly taste. So you want to eat lightly ramen, you should look for the keywords "assari". Then if you could get the keyword of assari, you can eat lightly ramen.
2-1-2.kotteri (oily)
Ramen soup can be made lightly. But on the other hand, ramen soup can be made oily. And many people like oily ramen.
By the way there is aJapanese expression "kotteri" that means oily. Then if you want to have oily ramen, you should say "kotteri".
Perhaps even if you were eating tonkotsu ramen that is oily, when you say "motto kotteri"( that means more oily), you can have a more oily ramen.
By the way there is aJapanese expression "kotteri" that means oily. Then if you want to have oily ramen, you should say "kotteri".
Perhaps even if you were eating tonkotsu ramen that is oily, when you say "motto kotteri"( that means more oily), you can have a more oily ramen.
2-2.about noodles
Thinking about ramen, soup is very important. But there is one more important factor in ramen.
It is about noodles.
Now there are two important factors in noodles. What kind, and how hard is the noodles.
Usually, noodles are divided 3types, hosomen, hutomen, straightmen and chiziremen.
Actually, in less than 1.4mm, there are some thickness 1.15mm, 1.25mm. But ramen restaurant have original ramen soup. So the restaurant choose the thickness by ramen soup's type.
It is about noodles.
Now there are two important factors in noodles. What kind, and how hard is the noodles.
Usually, noodles are divided 3types, hosomen, hutomen, straightmen and chiziremen.
2-2-1.Hosomen(thin noodles)
According to noodles company, there are some thickness in noodles, about 1.1mm to 3.0mm. Usually thin noodles is less than 1.4mm.Actually, in less than 1.4mm, there are some thickness 1.15mm, 1.25mm. But ramen restaurant have original ramen soup. So the restaurant choose the thickness by ramen soup's type.
2-2-2.Hutomen(thick noodles)
Actually depending on the ramen restaurant, from 1.4mm are called hutomen.
In hutomen, there are some thickness. But the ramen restaurant choose the thickness by ramen soup.
In hutomen, there are some thickness. But the ramen restaurant choose the thickness by ramen soup.
2-2-3.Straight and curly noodle
The noodles are not chosen only thickness, but straight or curly.
Generally it is chosen by ramen soup's taste.
In ramen restaurant, customers can order noodles should be how much firm. Then if it were ordered noodles soft, the boiling time should be longer.
Generally it is chosen by ramen soup's taste.
2-2-4.Boiling
It is important that how long the noodles should be boiled. Because the firm of noodles is difference in depending on how long would be boiled.In ramen restaurant, customers can order noodles should be how much firm. Then if it were ordered noodles soft, the boiling time should be longer.
2-3. about topping
Many ingredients are topping on ramen. Ingredients are usually topped at first, but you can order in addition.
2-3-1.chashao(rosted pork fillet)
Chashao, rosted pork fillet, is usually topped on the ramen, nowadays.
In old generation, usual ramen doesn't have chashao. Because chashao was little luxury for common people.
However, Chashao is put on the ramen in usual. Then if you order chashao-men, which means a ramen topped chashao, about 5peace would put on noodles.
In old generation, usual ramen doesn't have chashao. Because chashao was little luxury for common people.
However, Chashao is put on the ramen in usual. Then if you order chashao-men, which means a ramen topped chashao, about 5peace would put on noodles.
2-3-2.nori(dried seaweed)
Nori, dried seaweed is popular topping of ramen. Nori is good smell, and you can taste as an accent of ramen.
2-3-3.moyashi
Moyashi, bean sprouts, is common ingredients of ramen. In ramen, boiled moyashi, or stir-fried.
In special ramen, called tan-men, the vegetables containing lots of moyashi is put like a mountain.
In special ramen, called tan-men, the vegetables containing lots of moyashi is put like a mountain.
2-3-4.menma
Menma is common topping. It is fermented food of bamboo shoots. And it is originally from South China.
2-3-5.boiled egg
Usually topping egg on ramen is a boiled with taste based soy sauce. And the firmness is soft.
In old generation, ramen's egg was boiled hard, but nowadays, soft boiled egg would be popular.
In old generation, ramen's egg was boiled hard, but nowadays, soft boiled egg would be popular.
2-3-6.horenso(spinach)
Horenso, spinach, is also popular topping. You know, spinach is beautiful green. So topping spinach on the ramen, the ramen is not delicious, but is very colorful.
3.About ramen spot
In Japan, amounts of ramen information is too many. And perhaps nobody could say perfect information.
However, I think there would be key of information about arriving such a exciting place.
In this section's information, you could take the key that let you go to there.
However, I think there would be key of information about arriving such a exciting place.
In this section's information, you could take the key that let you go to there.
3-1.Battleground of ramen
You know ramen is one of the most popular dish in Japan. So counting the number of ramen restaurants is almost impossible.
But there are some place that ramen restaurants are clouded. Then the area is battleground oframen restaurant. And the level of restaurant should be increase.
So going such a ramen battleground, you can get very good ramen. The ramen might be winner in the battleground.
However, you should memories that you have to wait for long time. The information of ramen spreads very fast, and many people would stand in a line.
But there are some place that ramen restaurants are clouded. Then the area is battleground oframen restaurant. And the level of restaurant should be increase.
So going such a ramen battleground, you can get very good ramen. The ramen might be winner in the battleground.
However, you should memories that you have to wait for long time. The information of ramen spreads very fast, and many people would stand in a line.
3-2.Ramen museum
Perhaps you might think it is doubt, there is a ramen museum.
It is "Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum" where about 30 minutes by train from Tokyo.
The museum is composed by ramen restaurants in various Japanese areas. And in this museum you can have experience of making noodles.
It is "Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum" where about 30 minutes by train from Tokyo.
The museum is composed by ramen restaurants in various Japanese areas. And in this museum you can have experience of making noodles.
3-3.local ramen sports
In Japan there are many famous on ramen city. So you can taste the local ramen. For example, Sapporo in Hokkaido, Hakata in kyushu.
Actually, for going such a city, you have to use airplane or super express. But if you would go Sapporo or Hakata, you can know the original atmosphere of the city. Of course, the atmosphere of local areas are different from mega city, then you might find another Japan.
Actually, for going such a city, you have to use airplane or super express. But if you would go Sapporo or Hakata, you can know the original atmosphere of the city. Of course, the atmosphere of local areas are different from mega city, then you might find another Japan.
4.glossary of ramen
In ramen restaurant, using words are a bit different from common conversion. So if you can take this vocabulary, you might be cool as ramen otaku.
4-1.kaedama
Kaedama means spare bowl.
So if you want to eat one more ramen noodles(only one more noodles, not another ingredients), spare noodles bowl would be served as asking kaedama.
So if you want to eat one more ramen noodles(only one more noodles, not another ingredients), spare noodles bowl would be served as asking kaedama.
4-2.genkotsu
Genkotsu means pig borns of leg.
Ramen soup is made from pig and chicken borns. Especially pig's leg born is the one of best parts for ramen soup.
Ramen soup is made from pig and chicken borns. Especially pig's leg born is the one of best parts for ramen soup.
4-3.seabura(Seabura-chaccha-kei-ramen)
Seabura is pig's buckfat.
Ramen is containing pig's fat. But pig's fat is very liked. Then, sometimes pig's buckfat is used for ramen.
And there is one of type, oily ramen type, seabura-chacch-kei ramen.
The style of ramen is pig's buckfat sprinkled on.
Ramen is containing pig's fat. But pig's fat is very liked. Then, sometimes pig's buckfat is used for ramen.
And there is one of type, oily ramen type, seabura-chacch-kei ramen.
The style of ramen is pig's buckfat sprinkled on.
4-4.barikata
Firmness of noodles can be controlled by boiling time. Then if ordering firmer noodles, the noodles should boil short time.
Barikata means very firm. So you want to firm noodles, you should order by barikata, then you can get firm noodles, by short boiling.
Barikata means very firm. So you want to firm noodles, you should order by barikata, then you can get firm noodles, by short boiling.
4-5.nobiru
Noodles will become cold if you don't eat quickly. However it is not becoming coled, the noodles would become to soft. Then the being soft noodles is not good taste.
Nobiru means becoming noodles to coled andsoft. So eating good condition, you should eat noodles quickly.
Nobiru means becoming noodles to coled andsoft. So eating good condition, you should eat noodles quickly.
5.Side menu
There are some side menu in ramen restaurant.
5-1.Rice
Ramen noodles are basically staple food. However, sometimes Japanese people order rice as side menu.
And sometimes there are free rice.(no fee)
And sometimes there are free rice.(no fee)
5-2.Chahan（Fried rice）
Chahan, fried rice, is side menu of ramen. But, recently ramen restaurants don't have chahan.
So if you don't enough by one bowl of noodles, you should order kaedama or rice, I guess.
So if you don't enough by one bowl of noodles, you should order kaedama or rice, I guess.
5-3.Gyoza
Gyoza is popular side menu for ramen. But many ramen restaurants don't have gyoza, like chahan.
6.Recommendation
You should have a little efforts. Usually, if good ramen restaurant is clouded many customers, then you have to wait for a long time. And waiting on outside for one hour is not strange.
By the way going local city will be good experience. For Sapporo or Hakata. The Japanese countrysides are good location. And there would be many exciting experience. Have a nice ramen noodles and good trip.
By the way going local city will be good experience. For Sapporo or Hakata. The Japanese countrysides are good location. And there would be many exciting experience. Have a nice ramen noodles and good trip.
