Hello, how are you all doing? Here we will introduce delicious food from Japan.
【history】
The origin of ramen lies in Chinese noodle dishes, and it is said to have spread to Japan during the Meiji era, mainly in Yokohama’s Chinatown. After that, it evolved uniquely to suit Japanese tastes, and after the war, it quickly spread nationwide along with the street food culture. In the late Showa period, local varieties of ramen were born one after another, and today it has become such a diverse and profound dish that it is called a ‘national food’.
【characteristic】
Ramen is a popular Japanese noodle dish that combines wheat noodles, soup, and toppings. The flavors vary greatly depending on the region and the shop, offering endless variations.
１．A wide variety of soups (soy sauce, miso, salt, tonkotsu, etc.)
２．Texture changes depending on the thickness, firmness, and curliness of the noodles
３．Individuality comes from the combination of toppings
４．A “local specialty” that strongly reflects regional culture
【category】
■Soy sauce ramen（醤油らーめん）Region：Tokyo（東京都）
A classic combination of a light chicken or seafood-based broth with soy sauce.
■Soybean paste ramen（味噌らーめん）Region：Hokkaido（北海道）
A thick miso soup is the specialty. It is often topped with butter and corn.
■Salt ramen（塩らーめん）Region：Hokkaido（北海道）
The clear soup highlights the natural flavors of the ingredients.
■Pork-bone Ramen（豚骨らーめん）Region：Hukuoka（福岡県）
The thick, cloudy soup is a standout feature. It is known for its thin noodles and the popular practice of ordering extra servings of noodles.
■Iekei ramen Ramen（家系らーめん）Region：Kanagawa（神奈川県）
Pork bone soy sauce soup, thick noodles, spinach, and seaweed are standard.
■Kitakata Ramen（喜多方らーめん）Region：Fukushima（福島県）
Thick curly noodles. The soup is light
■Wakayama Ramen（和歌山らーめん）Region：Wakayama（和歌山県）
Pork bone soy sauce soup
It has a rich yet easy-to-drink and mellow taste.
Thin straight noodles
It is well intertwined with soup and can be eaten when you do it.
Early sushi (mackerel sushi) and boiled eggs are placed in the store
A unique culture of eating ramen freely before it arrives.
It looks strong but has a light aftertaste
Exquisiteness like “between thick and light”.
■Tokushima Ramen（徳島らーめん）Region：Tokushima（徳島県）
Tokushima ramen is known for its unique ‘sweet and savory’ taste and rich flavor that you won’t find in other regions.
● ① Sweet and savory pork bone soy sauce soup
A rich sweet and savory soup made with a pork bone base combined with dark soy sauce. It looks strong, but is surprisingly easy to drink.
● ② The culture of topping with raw egg
In Tokushima, it is common to eat it by mixing in a raw egg, similar to sukiyaki. This makes the soup milder and adds depth to the flavor.
● ③ Pork belly is the star
Instead of chashu, Tokushima ramen features sweet and savory simmered pork belly.
● ④ The noodles are thin and straight
They mix well with the soup and can be eaten smoothly.
■Kyoto Ramen（京都らーめん）Region：Kyoto（京都府）
Kyoto ramen is appealing because its flavor profile varies greatly depending on the region. What they have in common is the uniquely Kyoto balance of being “rich yet refined.”
● ① Deep flavor of dark soy sauce
Many shops feature a black-colored soup, but it is milder than it looks.
● ② Double broth of chicken bones and pork bones
The umami is strong, yet the aftertaste is light.
● ③ Medium-thin to thin straight noodles
They blend well with the soup and can be eaten smoothly.
● ④ Plenty of Kujo green onions
They add the distinct fragrance and sweetness characteristic of Kyoto.
■Tenri Ramen（天理らーめん）Region：Nara（奈良県）
Tenri ramen has a “sense of stamina” that other local ramen does not have.
● (1) Plenty of ingredients with Chinese cabbage
A symbol of Tenri ramen.
The sweetness and crispness go perfectly with the soup.
● (2) Spicy stamina soup
The taste is based on pork bones and chicken bones, with garlic and chili peppers.
There is richness in the spiciness, and it becomes addictive.
● (3) Flavor of pork
Thinly sliced pork melts into the soup and creates a deep flavor.
● (4) Medium-thin straight noodles
It mixes well with the soup and is easy to eat.
How was it? There are still many delicious things in Japan.
Be sure to try it when you visit Japan.
Let’s Enjoy！
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