A Ramen Lover's Guide: Exploring Japan's Delicious Noodle Culture

Ramen is one of my favorite foods in Japan. I could name it at the top of my favorite foods weekly or monthly. And, of course, Ramen is the must-try food for those who travel to Japan!

Ramen is something familiar in Vietnam, something you could easily find for your tasting. This food is available in big cities like Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), Hanoi, or even Danang, where the Japanese community lives and works. Among those, Ho Chi Minh is the top place, with many Japanese restaurants owned by Japanese or Vietnamese, giving you a variety of Ramen choices, especially when you visit Le Thanh Ton. In this little Japanese town, you can enjoy tasty ramen bowls, and my favorite ramen shop is Danbo Ramen; click here to see the map.

Back in Japan, Ramen is considered a cornerstone of its cuisine. In the history of ramen, I assumed everyone knew its origins in China. However, when it comes to Japan, the people put their creativity and passion into creating their style, as we see how ramen is nowadays.

I am a big fan of Ramen; whenever my family wants to go out for dinner, I consider going with Ramen as the first recommendation. But my wife often gives me the "red card" with repeatedly friendly reminders that "you eat ramen quite often, and it's not good for your health, don't you?". Yes! She is correct in pointing out that note; I will follow her choice without objection.

I love to eat Ramen and have tried some different types. Here are some of the most iconic ones:

• Tonkotsu Ramen (豚骨ラーメン): it's a creamy pork bone broth, especially popular in Hakata and Fukuoka. This style is often served with thin noodles and toppings like chashu (pork slices), green onions, and soft-boiled eggs.

  

  Tonkotsu Ramen (豚骨ラーメン): it's a creamy pork bone broth

  
  

• Miso Ramen (味噌ラーメン): Originating in Hokkaido, this Ramen uses a fermented soybean paste for a rich and hearty broth. Standard toppings include corn, butter, and bean sprouts, ideal for colder climates.

  

  Miso Ramen (味噌ラーメン): Originating in Hokkaido, this Ramen uses a fermented soybean paste for a rich and hearty broth.

• Shoyu Ramen (しょうゆラーメン): it's a soy-sauce-based ramen that offers a clear and savory broth. Popular across Japan, especially in Tokyo, it features toppings like bamboo shoots, nori (seaweed), and pork.

  

  Shoyu Ramen (しょうゆラーメン): it's a soy-sauce-based ramen that offers a clear and savory broth

• Shio Ramen (味噌ラーメン): it's a light and clear broth ramen made with salt as the main seasoning. It's the oldest ramen broth in Japan, offering a delicate, clean, and refreshing taste.

  

  Shio Ramen (味噌ラーメン): it's a light and clear broth ramen made with salt as the main seasoning.

Beyond the four types of ramen above you should try, local restaurants also offer a more extended ramen menu without limiting your choice:

• Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen (豚骨しょうゆラーメン): The mixed flavor of Tonkotsu and Shoyu could bring you a new taste.

• Paitan Ramen (白湯ラーメン): Creamy and mild chicken broth ramen for someone who loves chicken rather than pork.

• Miso Chige Kimchi Ramen (みそチゲキムチラーメン): it's a spicy miso ramen with kimchi. This Ramen could be the best choice for a spicy lover. I tried its taste for the first time, and I immediately fell in love with it. It is my first choice when ordering from the shop. To get the same experience as I did, save this restaurant, "Kokoraji-tei," on your dining-out list for later. Check it out!

  

  Miso Chige Kimchi Ramen (みそチゲキムチラーメン): it's a spicy miso ramen with kimchi.

  
  

Furthermore, there are many regional Ramen styles across Japan. Each region has its unique twist on ramen, influenced by local ingredients and preferences known as Sapporo Ramen (札幌ラーメン), Yokohama Ie-kei Ramen (家系ラーメン), Osaka Ramen (大阪ラーメン), Hiroshima Tsukemen (広島つけ麺), Tokushima Ramen (徳島ラーメン), etc.

You can order more toppings, such as fried green onions, crispy garlic, kimchi, etc., and even extra noodles. Ramen lovers often enjoy ramen alongside other dishes that enhance the overall meal. Here are some popular choices that people usually pick as a combo:

• Gyoza (Dumplings): A classic side dish is pan-fried or steamed dumplings filled with pork, chicken, or vegetables. Their savory filling and crispy texture make them an excellent match for ramen's rich broth.

• Fried Rice: Many ramen shops also serve fried rice, which complements ramen well, especially for those with an enormous appetite.

  

  Ramen & fried rice: the ultimate comfort food duo! 🍜🥡

• Karaage (唐揚げ): it's a popular Japanese dish consisting of bite-sized pieces of marinated chicken coated in flour or potato starch and deep-fried until crispy. Karaage is often served as a side dish to ramen or a standalone appetizer. It's known for its juicy, flavorful meat and crunchy coating.

For one who has just visited Japan as a traveler and needs help reading the Japanese menu, ask the waiter if they have an English menu; some restaurants keep a separate English menu on request.

If there is no English menu, don't worry; you can use Google Lens to help you translate the menu into your language. If you have never used it before, you can click here to watch my how-to video

Following this step-by-step instruction to translate restaurant menus:

1. Download and Open Google Lens:

• You can find Google Lens in your apps using an Android device. Those who use iPhone devices need to download for use by going to the Apple store to download.

• Open the Google app.

2. Access the Lens Feature:

• On Android devices, tap the Lens icon in the search bar.

• Or open the Google app and click the "Lens" icon to start your scan.

3. Point Your Camera at the menu:

• Hold your phone steady and point the camera at the menu you want to translate.

• Make sure the text is well-lit and in focus.

4. Take a nice shot of the menu:

• Put your camera in front of the menu and take a photo of the menu.

5. Read the translation:

• Google Lens will automatically process the image and show you the text translation.

Additional Tips:

• Adjust the Camera: Use the zoom and focus features to get a clear image of the text.

• Select Text: You can tap and drag on the image to select specific text parts for translation.

• Check the Accuracy: While Google Lens is generally accurate, double-checking the translation is always a good idea, especially for important information.

• Offline Translation: You can download language packs for offline use if you don't have internet access.

Following those steps, you can easily decrypt the Japanese menu with Google Lens to pick the right choice of ramen. I know some people will choose food items based on menu photos, and I sometimes do. Here are the tips for decoding menu photos:

• Look for Ramen broth colors:

  • Light or clear broth = shio or shōyu.

  • Dark or creamy = tonkotsu or miso.

• Spicy dishes often have "赤" (aka = red) in their name or chili icon 🌶️ with the more icons (🌶️🌶️, 🌶️🌶️🌶️), the more spicy ramen is.

  

  The text "赤" indicates spicy food items on the ramen menu.

• In menus, you do not miss out on recommendations by restaurants; remember these keywords would be helpful for your order:

  • おすすめ (Osusume) - It means "Recommended"

  • 名物 (Meibutsu) - It means "Specialty made by the restaurant"

Ramen is not just a noodle bowl; it's an essential part of the rich Japanese food culture. There's much to discover, from the different styles and flavors to the pairing options. With the insights I shared from this blog, you can start your food journey by collecting the best ramen taste ever. Please return here and share your stories and experiences, which I would love to hear. Remember to name your favorite ramen spots and add your food reviews, which we could get a try later on. Let's connect over our love for this delicious dish and continue the conversation!

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