Do you know that there are quite many type of RAMEN?
The attractiveness of RAMEN is that it is quick, relatively inexpensive, easy to eat even alone, and comes in many varieties.
This article will help you visually see the differences between the different types of RAMEN and find your favorite flavor.
Let’s discover the types of RAMEN, their charms, and some recommended RAMEN restaurants by me (Japanese woman born and raised in Japan)!
Matrix
It may be difficult to imagine from the text itself, so I have compiled a Matrix of the intensity of flavor (LIGHT/ HEAVY) and generality (NORMAL/RARE). As shown in the Matrix, the most common are salt, soy sauce (SHOYU) , and miso, so those might be the best choice for the first Ramen for you. There are many other types, so you can try more and more…! Please refer to the explanations that follow.
The followings are presented in the order of the author’s preference.
Gyokai Ramen (魚介ラーメン)
Gyokai (meaning Seafood) Ramen features a seafood based broth, often with a medley of flavors from various seafood ingredients. It offers a unique umami (Umami is a savory, meaty taste, often found in foods rich in glutamate like meat, seafood, tomatoes, or aged cheeses) experience. The dashi broth produced by different types of seafood is indescribably delicious, and each store has its own unique characteristics, so if you like seafood, you are sure to find your favorite seafood ramen store.
Seafood ramen is rich if the soup is made with shrimp, and light if it is made with scallops or other shellfish broth.
Recommended
Fugu Dashi Shio Hachidaime Keisuke Ginza
ふぐだし潮 八代目けいすけ 銀座
The Fugu Dashi Ramen has a very light and tasty fish Fugu Dashi broth that you will want to drink up, and a soup with Yuzu (Japanese citrus fruit). It is so addictive that you will want to eat it again and again. Fugu is a highly prized Japanese pufferfish known for its potentially lethal poison, requiring skilled preparation by licensed chefs to make it safe for consumption, and actual slice of Fugu is on the top of the Ramen. Oba (a fragrant Japanese herb with unique flavor and aroma ) and golden boiled eggs are also nice together. I actually visited this restaurants several times even though there are plenty of nice restaurants around here, and I took my mom who is Ramen lover here when she came to Tokyo and she loved it a lot. You worth visiting here once.
Ebisoba Ichigen Sohonten えびそば一幻総本店
Originating in Hokkaido, it is now so popular that it has expanded overseas to Tokyo, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Ichigen is a concentrated bowl of the best taste and flavor of red Amaebi (sweet shrimp).
The shrimp flavor works so well that you will want to eat it again and again. You can visit here as there are different kinds of miso, soy sauce, and salt.
One thing that cannot be missed when talking about the ramen at EBISOBA ICHIGEN is the crunchy tenkasu, which is deep-fried and kneaded into the prawns.
The flavor is enhanced by mixing the tenkasu into the soup as you eat it.
Ebimaru Ramen 海老丸ラーメン
Ebimaru Ramen is one of the fancy ramen restaurants, specializing in lobster ramen with the theme of “Fusion of French and Ramen“.
The ramen is prepared by a chef with a French restaurant background and extensive overseas experience. He also use special ingredients that he is able to procure because he is a French chef, they offer unique ramen that you will not find anywhere else.
The restaurant is so stylish that it is hard to believe that it is a ramen shop, and the interior is sophisticated and very clean. Even the water is served in wine glasses, and even the pepper container is Western-style. Renge (special spoon for Ramen) and pretty disposable chopsticks are carefully placed on a wooden cutlery stand. The soup served as an appetizer before the ramen makes you think you are in a French restaurant. The ramen bowl is also very particular, with a red and white bowl reminiscent of a shrimp, and the soup is rich and thick, reminiscent of French bisque. I was full enough so didn’t try, but you can try risotto with the ramen soup after.
Tori Paitan Ramen (鶏白湯ラーメン)
Tori : chicken
Paitan: white soup
A creamy delight featuring silky chicken-based broth, perfect noodles, and delectable toppings for a truly satisfying experience. Compared to other ramen, the noodles are often thinner and thin noodles work well with creamy and light soup, and the combination feels well-balanced. Many of the ramen noodles are beautiful to look at, and those things make them very popular with women. (Of course good for men as well)
Ginza Kagari Main Branch 銀座 篝 本店
One of my favorite Ramen. The Ginza brach is the main of the restaurant, with several other stores in Tokyo and one in Osaka, and has been very popular among foreigners as well for several years. The beautiful storefront and seasonal vegetable toppings, which change with the seasons and are not found in other stores, are the distinguishing features of this restaurant. It is also called potage-style ramen, and is a very elegant dish that does not seem like ramen. The author has visited this restaurant many times. It is also listed in the Michelin Guide.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tjuV51dcG7KTGSPn7?g_st=ic
Shio Ramen (塩ラーメン)
Shio means salt in Japanese. Shio Ramen has a clear and light broth seasoned with salt. It offers a refreshing and subtle taste. Toppings may include chashu, boiled egg, seaweed, and bamboo shoots.
Famous Region: Kagoshima, in southern Kyushu and Hakodate in Hokkaido is renowned for its Shio Ramen.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/soVY89zKXN6AMPVu6?g_st=ic
Menchuubo Ajisai Main Branch (函館麺厨房 あじさい 本店)
There are 7 restaurants mainly in Hakodate city. The soup is made with Hokkaido’s unique dried scallop salt, and although it is very simple, it has a delicious flavor that is sure to impress you. It tastes even better in the cold winter months of Hokkaido, and once you try it, you will never forget the taste or the scene you experienced. The simplicity of the dish is also its strength, and the addition of oil, pepper, or raayu (Chinese chili oil) will give the dish an even more unique flavor.
Menya Hyottoko Yurakucho 麺屋ひょっとこ 有楽町店
The ramen shop Menya Hyottoko is located a minute or two walk from JR Yurakucho Station. This compact ramen shop operates in a stall-like space with a total of seven seats at the counter. It is good to feel a good old ramen shop from the past. While many stores put a lot of effort into their storefronts, Menya Hyottoko exists in a small, quiet space, but it has a deliciousness that is hard to imagine from its appearance. Despite its inconspicuous location, the restaurant is very busy and closes at 8pm (which is quite early) , so be careful when you go. Thin noodles and clear soup. The secret of the best taste is the yuzu (Japanese Cytras), which is usually used in desserts and beverages. The refreshing aroma of yuzu, along with the steam, will transport you to a world of ramen you have never experienced before.The Ramen made by Japanese couple (husband and wife) will soothe your soul!
Shoyu (soy source) Ramen (醤油ラーメン)
Shoyu Ramen is characterized by its clear and umami rich soy sauce based broth. It has a more delicate flavor compared to tonkotsu or miso ramen. Common toppings include slices of chashu, seaweed, bamboo shoots, and a boiled egg.
Nishiazabu Gold Rakkan 楽観
Launched in 2011 with the company philosophy of “optimism for the world, joy for all,” the company opened a store in Los Angeles, CA, USA, in 2017. The simplest and most sophisticated ramen, with nothing extra, is an impressive dish. The wonderful broth is both nostalgic and new, and it is deeply satisfying to the Japanese heart.Of course, all non-Japanese can enjoy the experience as well. I still remember when I visited there in cold winter in February, and this bowl of Ramen was just amazing healing my heart. I hope you will also enjoy the soup and ramen by tasting the ingredients which are made with their special soy sauce and vegetables.
https://onl.sc/eDNqvCH
https://rakkanramen.com/
Miraku 利尻らーめん味楽 新横浜ラーメン博物館店
Miraku’s main ramen restaurant is located on Rishiri Island, near the northernmost tip of Japan, and is said to be the most difficult ramen restaurant to get to in Japan. To get to Rishiri island, where the main ramen store is located, requires many flights, so it is almost a miracle that you can enjoy the taste at the store located in Yokohama as a brunch. With an expansion to Boston scheduled for next spring (around April 2024), this popular Japanese star is expected to be very popular despite the small number of branches. The charm of Miraku is its use of Rishiri kelp. The depth of flavor of the burnt soy sauce ramen made with Rishiri kelp is a must-try experience.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jHyGzXKFk6xKPrvp6?g_st=ic
As you can see below next to the main Ramen bowl, Tororo kombu (thinly shaved kelp) comes with ramen. The restaurant is located inside the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, but the number of ramen stores that can open inside the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is very limited. It is truly a miracle that it was selected from the outskirts of the northern part of Japan.
Miso Ramen (味噌ラーメン)
Miso Ramen features a robust and savory broth made from fermented soybean paste (miso).The soup has a bold and hearty flavor profile. Toppings may include chashu, corn, butter, and green onions.
Famous Region: Miso ramen is especially famous in Hokkaido, with Sapporo Ramen being a well known variant. I will introduce Miso Ramen at other chance.
Tsukemen (つけ麺)
Tsukemen is a style where the noodles are served separate from the soup. Diners dip the noodles into a thicker, more concentrated broth. The dipping sauce can vary, and toppings often include chashu, seaweed, and green onions. Tsukemen is characterized by thick noodles and soup that is often thick.
Tantanmen (担々麺)
Tantanmen is a spicy ramen with a Chinese influence, featuring a broth typically made with sesame paste (gomadare) and chili oil. The toppings minced pork is special for Tantanmen.There are types of Tantanmen without soup as well.
175 DENO Tantanmen GINZa 175°DENO担担麺GINZa(175°GINZa)
If you like numbing spiciness, this is the dish for you.
It is very tangy with sansho (Japanese pepper). It goes well with the noodles. I couldn’t stop eating the soup, thinking it wasn’t too spicy, and finished it. After leaving the restaurant, I started to sweat and could not stop. It looks like it is good for your health and you will get addicted to it.
Both the tantanmen with soup and without soup are excellent. I especially recommend the dish with soup, but I think most of the customers order it without soup. You can add more noodles without soup up to 450g without extra charge.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eQ3PJsELJ5oC8JYo9?g_st=ic
Tonkotsu Ramen (豚骨ラーメン)
Tonkotsu Ramen features a creamy and rich pork bone based broth. The world famous Ippudo and Ichiran are also Tonkotsu Ramen. The broth is simmered for hours to extract deep flavors, resulting in a milky white appearance. The noodles are typically thin and straight.
Famous Region: Tonkotsu ramen, and particularly Hakata Ramen, is most famous in Kyushu, with Fukuoka’s Hakata district being a renowned hotspot.
Ramen Unari ラーメン海鳴 福岡空港店
The soup is made over the years and features our special seared charcuterie and other ingredients. Each store has its own limited menu, but the Fukuoka Airport branch offers ramen topped with spicy cod roe, a dish unique to Fukuoka. Mentaiko or cod roe is a special kind of cod roe that can only be found in Japan. The author would like to eat it now, too.
IEKEI RAMEN (家系ラーメン)
家系ラーメン, Iekei Ramen is a style of ramen that originated in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is known for its very very rich and creamy tonkotsu (pork bone) broth and specific toppings. Here are some key differences between Iekei Ramen and Tonkotsu Ramen. The soup in IEKEI Ramen is typically very very thick and creamy, emphasizing the flavor of tonkotsu, and it is often opaque. Also the noodles of IEKEI are much thicker and curlier to complement the creamy broth than Tonkotsu Ramen. Mainly, IEKEI Ramen is popular for men.
Yoshimuraya 家系総本山 吉村家
The noodles are thick and satisfying, making them popular especially among men.
I have not been there, but whenever I walk through near there, there is a long long queue for entering. Even under the pandemic when many people stay at home, there was a line even though there were not too many people at other restaurants. It shows every thing, I believe.
https://onl.sc/cRBPQQC
【Extra】Vegetarian / Vigan
Compared to the past, there are more and more ramen stores in Tokyo that offer vegetarian and vegan meals, allowing customers to enjoy ramen made primarily from plant-based ingredients. That said, vegetarian and vegan restaurants are few and far between worldwide, and even rarer in the countryside.
T’s Tantan
Located in Tokyo Station, T’s Tantan offers completely vegan ramen. Their spicy miso tantanmen is a popular choice with plenty of plant-based ingredients.
I still remember the soup, which was so rich and deep that it was hard to believe it was vegetarian. The restaurant is located inside Tokyo Station, so you are sure to stop by during your trip.
Afuri
Afuri is one of the most famous a ramen chain with branches in areas like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Yokohama. They offer vegetarian ramen options that use plant-based dashi and ingredients. I just had non vegetarian ramen there, but it was nice and want to try vegetarian ramen since it’s unusual for ramen because you get a lot of vegetables and seem to feel less guilty.
cite from https://afuri.com/menu/
Conclusion
Did you find your favorite?
Please let me know your favorite flavor on comment!
These diverse ramen styles showcase the culinary richness and regional diversity of Japan. Exploring these flavors can be a delightful journey through the country’s food culture.
Japanese Ramen’s charm is its diverse flavors, a comforting choice for locals enjoyed throughout the year, easy to eat, whether seeking warmth in winter or a latenight indulgence.
Although we have included a map of specific stores, most of these ramen shops have other branches, so please check for a ramen shop near you on your trip.
Please refer to this introduction and try to find your favorite when you visit Japan!
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