Types of Japanese Ramen: Find Your Favorite
Hi there, it’s Mr. Wada on duty. Once in a while I really crave for noodles such as ramen. Do you like ramen? Yeah, I do. In fact, I used to have ramen very often on the way home from high school.
Contents
What is Japanese Ramen like?
Ramen has been one of the most popular Japanese foods (I’m not talking about origins here). Many people are addicted to it and always looking for better ones. Since it has been so much competitive, you may see ramen restaurants on every corner in big cities like Tokyo.
What are the Differences?
When it comes to having ramen, you realize there are different ramen, but you aren’t sure what the differences are. Let’s take a look and hopefully this would be the first step for you to discover your favorite ramen!
Types of Japanese Ramen Soups
Basically there are four types of soups.
Shoyu (Soy Sauce)
It has its origin in Tokyo and from since then it has become standard of ramen. It’s available anywhere in Japan. As it tastes very simple, having shoyu ramen would be the easiest way to tell if a store serves good ramen.
That’s standard!
Miso
Hokkaido Ramen represents Miso Ramen. It’s miso-based soup…I suppose I don’t need to explain what miso is right? It’s rather rare to see it lately. It tastes mild and sorta light, easy in other words.
Miso isn’t only for Miso soup!
Shio (Salt)
Hokkaido is also known for Shio Ramen, plus as rare as Miso Ramen compared to Shoyu and Tonkotsu Ramen. Though there are some restaurants that only serve Shio Ramen. Light and easy soup.
(Photo credit: stu_spivack)
Tonkotsu (Pork)
It seems to be the most popular ramen in Japan. Its rich pork broth gives it great flavor. Hakata (Fukuoka Prefecture) ramen represents Tonkotsu Ramen. However, we see it anywhere in Japan today. I personally prefer this Tonkotsu Ramen to others.
Looks yummy!
This is my favorite Bari Ramen in Okayama city.
Extra: Jiro-kei (Jiro-style)
Ramen Jiro is one of the most popular ramen resutaurants in Tokyo where it serves a new type of ramen (that’s what people say). It comes with tons of veggies, garlic, super rich soup (Tonkotsu-based, I think), and thick noodles. Many people (especially men) are addicted to it. After Ramen Jiro, any ramen alike is called Jiro-Kei (Jiro family/style), and fans of Ramen Jiro are called Jirolian(s). I’ve tried it but failed (couldn’t finish). Damn, I’m disqualified to be a Jirolian!
(Photo credit: KID the Euforia)
Lastly
There are even more new types of ramen. Tsukemen (Dipping Ramen) has been next-classic already. Perhaps you might want to try this out also.
It’s all yummy, though it’s evil for having it in the middle of the night…but no worries, there is always a way out by Mrs. Wada’s method.
Find your favorite Ramen and please share with me! Hmmm, now I’m craving for some noodles. See you around!
(Photo credit: M Murakami)
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Hm. I guess I like Tsukemen the best. But My favourite might be sth described as “soupless ramen.” That might not actually be ramen though.