How to Order Ramen in Japan
Most ramen shops in Japan use a ticket machine system. Insert cash, select your ramen, and hand the ticket to the staff after taking a seat. Staff may ask about your preferences for seasoning, garlic, broth, and more. Each shop has its unique style, so be ready to explore.
Types of Noodles
Ramen noodles vary in shape and texture. Common types include:
- ๅคช้บต (Futomen): Thick noodles
- ใกใใใใ (Chijiremen): Wavy noodles
- ็ดฐ้บต (Hosomen): Thin noodles
Types of Soup
Ramen soups are just as diverse as the noodles. Here are some common bases:
- ้ฌๆฒน (Shoyu): Soy sauce-based, light and flavorful
- ่ฑ้ชจ (Tonkotsu): Pork bone-based, creamy and rich
- ็ ฎๅนฒใ (Niboshi): Dried sardine-based, ranging from light to heavy
- ้ณฅ็ฝๆนฏ (Toripaitan): Chicken bone-based, similar to Tonkotsu
- ๅกฉ (Shio): Salt-based, light and delicate
- ๅณๅ (Miso): Fermented bean paste-based, hearty and robust
Customizing Your Ramen
Once seated, staff may ask for your preferences. Use these phrases to specify:
- Noodle Hardness: ใใใ (Hard), ๆฎ้ (Normal), ใใใใใ (Soft)
- Soup Thickness: ใใฃใฆใ/ๆฟใใ (Thick), ๆฎ้ (Normal), ใใฃใใ/่ใ (Light)
- Oiliness: ๅคใ (More), ๆฎ้ (Normal), ๅฐใชใ (Less)
Example: ใใใใใใงใ้กใใใพใ (Men wo kata de onegaishimasu) โ “Iโd like my noodles hard.”
Serving Sizes
Choose a portion size that fits your appetite:
- Regular: ไธฆ็ใ (Nami Mori)
- Medium: ไธญ็ใ (Naka Mori)
- Large: ๅคง็ใ (Oo Mori)
- Extra Large: ็นๅคง (Toku Dai)
- Special: ็น่ฃฝ (Toku Sei)
Common Toppings and Condiments
Enhance your ramen with toppings and condiments:
- Seaweed: ใฎใ (Nori)
- Green Spring Onion: ้ใใฎ (Aonegi)
- Chashu: ใใฃใผใทใฅใผ (Braised Pork)
- Soft Boiled Egg: ๅณ็ๅต (Ajitama Tamago)
- Bamboo Shoots: ใกใณใ (Menma)
- Pickled Ginger: ็ด ใใใใ (Beni Shouga)
- Noodle Refill: ๆฟใ็ (Kaedama)
- Spices & Oils: ไธๅณๅ่พๅญ (Shichimi Tougarashi), ่กๆค (Koshou), ้ ข (Su), ่พฃๆฒน (Raayu)
These options allow you to create a bowl of ramen tailored to your preferences.
