I’m a Japanese local who grew up here. My favorite Japanese food? There are so many… sushi, tempura, tonkatsu… but one thing I can never leave out is ramen.
It is an incredibly well-crafted dish, yet one bowl typically costs only about 1,000 yen, even at the most popular restaurants.
There are many different kinds, and I believe there’s something to suit everyone’s taste. So, here is the ultimate ramen guide I’d like to present to you today.
What is Ramen?
Ramen is a flour-based noodle dish served in hot soup, which became a part of Japanese food culture after being introduced from China.
There are various similar noodle dishes, such as chuka soba (Chinese-style noodles) and champon, which are essentially quite similar. However, for this guide, I’ll define ramen as any noodle dish that a restaurant itself names “ramen.”
Ramen is commonly served at specialized ramen restaurants called ramen-ya, where the menu typically consists of ramen and a few other Chinese-style dishes like dumplings and fried rice. You can also find ramen in Japanese-style Chinese restaurants and supermarkets, where kits are available to cook at home.
Different Types of Ramen
Here’s the fun part—different types of ramen!
Shoyu Ramen (Soy Sauce-Flavored Ramen)
Shoyu ramen is one of the most classic and widely enjoyed ramen styles in Japan. The broth is clear with a soy sauce base, giving it a salty, umami-rich flavor. It’s often made with a combination of chicken, pork, or seafood stock. Compared to other types, this ramen is relatively light since it doesn’t use much oil. You can usually find it at major ramen chains and Chinese-style restaurants.
Recommended Restaurants:
- Honke Daiichi Asahi Website
A popular ramen restaurant in Kyoto, famous for its mound of sliced green onions on top of soy sauce-based ramen.
They currently have four locations in Japan, including:- Near Kyoto Station: Google Maps
- Shijo Station (Kyoto): Google Maps
- Shinjuku (Tokyo): Google Maps
Miso Ramen (Miso-Flavored Ramen)
Miso ramen originated in Hokkaido and features a thick, slightly creamy soup made with miso paste. The type of miso used can change the flavor, making it either sweet or spicy. Hokkaido-style miso ramen often comes with unique toppings like butter and corn, which aren’t typically found in other ramen styles.
Recommended Restaurants:
- Tadokoro Shoten Website
Tadokoro Shoten specializes in various miso-flavored ramen dishes, allowing you to experience different miso flavors from all over Japan. They have over 180 locations nationwide, as well as international branches called Misoya in the US, Canada, Brazil, and Thailand.
The most convenient location for tourists is in Shinjuku, Tokyo: Google Maps.
Tonkotsu Ramen (Pork Bone Broth Ramen)
As the name tonkotsu (pork bone) suggests, this ramen features a rich, creamy white broth made by boiling pork bones for hours until the collagen and marrow break down. If my description doesn’t turn you away, I highly recommend trying it—it’s my favorite! The taste is mild and creamy, though it can be quite rich since it usually contains added oil.
Recommended Restaurants:
- Ippudo Website
Ippudo is one of the most well-known international ramen chains. Originally from Fukuoka, they have many locations across Japan, covering most major cities.
Some convenient locations include:- Ginza, Tokyo: Google Maps
- Shijo Karasuma, Kyoto: Google Maps
- Namba, Osaka: Google Maps
- Tenka Ippin Website
If you don’t want to visit a global chain, Tenka Ippin is another well-known ramen chain that originated in Kyoto. Their signature ramen has an extremely thick broth. When ordering, they’ll ask if you want “kotteri” (thick) or “assari”(light). If you want the full authentic experience, definitely go for “kotteri”!
Some of their convenient locations include:- Shibuya, Tokyo: Google Maps
- Shinjuku, Tokyo: Google Maps
- Kyoto Station: Google Maps
- Nishi-Umeda, Osaka: Google Maps
Shio Ramen (Salt-Flavored Ramen)
Shio ramen is the lightest of all ramen types, featuring a clear, golden broth often made with chicken, seafood, kelp, or pork. This allows the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine. This is another personal favorite—whenever I want to enjoy ramen without feeling too guilty, I go for shio ramen!
Recommended Restaurants:
- Shio Gensui Website
I used to have a Shio Gensui near where I grew up, so I can’t even count how many times I’ve been there! Their ramen features a light, refreshing broth with a hint of yuzu (Japanese citrus), making it a friendly dish for everyone, including children.
Most of their locations are in the Kansai region, but one that might be accessible for tourists is:- Kyoto: Google Maps (about 20 minutes by bus from Kyoto Station).
There are so many more things I want to introduce about ramen, so I’ll keep updating this article!