If you ask Japanese people what their favorite dish is, ramen is one of the top three.
There are many ramen specialty stores in town, and many different types of “cup ramen” are sold in convenience stores and supermarkets.
Even visitors to Japan may be curious to try ramen, as there are ramen shops everywhere in the city.
However, there are many different types of ramen with distinctive noodle and soup (dashi) characteristics.
In this issue, we would like to explain the question, “What kind of ramen is popular in Japan?” I would like to explain the question, “What kind of ramen is popular in Japan? What types of ramen are popular in Japan?” I would like to explain this question.
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Contents
First, let’s learn about the different types of ramen.
Ramen originally originated in China, but since its arrival in Japan, there have been unique changes in noodles and flavors.
We will start with the four orthodox types.
Shoyu Ramen
Shoyu ramen is the most standard ramen flavor for Japanese people, served in a broth based on soy sauce, a typical Japanese seasoning.
It is a non-habit-forming soup that allows you to enjoy the flavor of the ingredients, and is often eaten in the Kanto region, especially in Tokyo.
Some stores sell this type of ramen as “Chinese soba” instead of “shoyu ramen.
Thin or frizzled noodles go well with this type of ramen.
If you want to try a ramen that is not too strong in flavor, we recommend that you try shoyu ramen first.
Miso Ramen
Miso ramen is a type of ramen in which the soup is based on miso, a typical Japanese seasoning.
The soup has a very rich flavor and goes well with vegetables and other ingredients, enhancing the taste of the noodles as well as the guzai.
This ramen was often eaten in Hokkaido, but due to its popularity, it is now available all over Japan.
It has a strong flavor and goes well with thicker noodles.
Shio Ramen
Shio ramen is a “salt” based soup that has become very popular in recent years.
The clear soup has a strong salty taste, yet is light and refreshing.
It has a light yet deep flavor, so you will experience a “taste that permeates the body.
It is also low in calories compared to other ramen noodles, making it especially popular among women.
It also goes well with thin noodles.
Tonkotsu Ramen
As the name suggests, this ramen features a soup made from “pork bones.
The soup is cloudy, so you can tell at a glance that it is Tonkotsu Ramen.
The pork bone broth is effective, and its umami and richness are irresistible.
It has a very rich flavor, but it is not too thick, so you feel as if you can eat as much as you want.
It is especially popular in the Kyushu region, but there are stores selling it in other areas as well.
It goes very well with thin noodles, and some people enjoy “baedama,” or refills of just the noodles.
In recent years, “Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen” has also become popular.
Although the above four types of ramen are standard in Japan, “Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen” has been gaining popularity for about 15 years.
Yokohama City in Kanagawa Prefecture won the Zhang Prize, and the soup, a combination of tonkotsu ramen and shoyu ramen, has become extremely tasty and spread throughout the country.
It is sometimes called “Ie-kei Ramen” because the name of the restaurant often has “XX family” attached to it.
When ordering, many restaurants ask you how much back fat to add to the soup, how hard the noodles should be, how strong the flavor should be, etc., so that you can get closer to your own taste preference.
When you go out to eat for the first time, answer “all normal” when asked by the waiter.
From the second time onward, it is a GOOD idea to customize the first taste to your liking, such as “harder noodles, lighter flavor,” etc.
How to enjoy cup ramen and instant ramen at home
Ramen has become so popular among the Japanese that it can be called a national dish, and there are many cup ramen and instant ramen products on the market.
While cup ramen requires only 3 minutes (4 to 5 minutes depending on the product) to add hot water and wait for the flavor to be enjoyed, instant ramen is completed by boiling water in a pot and cooking the ramen with the ingredients of your choice.
Although instant ramen tastes more like restaurant ramen than cup ramen, many people say that making instant ramen is a hassle and that they prefer cup ramen.
Many Japanese stock ramen at home because it is easy to eat at home and much more affordable than eating at a restaurant.
Conclusion
In this issue, we have explained the question, “What kind of ramen is popular in Japan?” I have explained the question, “What kind of ramen is popular in Japan? We have explained the question, “What kind of ramen is popular in Japan?
Each of the five types of ramen introduced here has different characteristics, but they are all delicious.
In addition to these five types of ramen, many other types of ramen are also popular, including “tanmen,” “chicken ramen,” and “sour ramen.
When you visit Japan, why not try different kinds of ramen and find the one you like best?
It will surely be a taste you will never forget after you return home.
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