Steam rises from the streets of Japan, the soup shines beautifully, and you hear the quick sound of slurping noodles. The moment you step into a ramen shop, it feels like starting a small trip into Japan’s food culture and daily life.
You find a special bowl of ramen that you can’t taste anywhere else in the world, and it gives you a new kind of “different culture experience” to remember.
“Why do Japanese ramen attract so many people from other countries?”
The secret lies in how every shop tells its own story and is full of surprises.
Today, let’s start a journey to explore this deep world of ramen together.
What Makes Japanese Ramen Special?
One of the best things about Japanese ramen is how many kinds there are. For first-timers, the difference in taste, noodles, and toppings makes it a fun challenge and a big surprise.
・Soy sauce ramen
The most common type in Japan. The soy sauce soup can be light or rich. Usually, medium-thin straight or curly noodles go well with it. It is easy to eat even for beginners.
・Salt ramen
A clear soup with a gentle taste from chicken bones and seafood. It’s light and good if you want a healthy choice.
・Miso ramen
Started in Sapporo, Hokkaido. This has a thick miso soup and thick curly noodles. Sometimes butter and corn are added. It is rich and good for people who want a strong taste.
・Tonkotsu ramen
Famous in Hakata, Kyushu. The white pork bone soup is thick and creamy. It pairs with very thin noodles. It has lots of fat and strong flavor, so it can surprise first-time eaters.
・Fish broth ramen
Made from fish such as bonito, dried sardines, mackerel, kelp, and sometimes horse mackerel or saury. This broth is clear and full of ocean flavor. It is often used in soy sauce or salt ramen. Some shops mix fish broth with chicken or pork to make a rich taste.
Japan has more than 30 local ramen styles you can find in different regions. When you try these for the first time, you will be amazed by each soup’s character, noodle thickness, and toppings.
From soft thin noodles to chewy thick noodles, the different textures feel like a small trip by themselves.
You might think, “I like this one,” or “Next time, I want to try that.” This excitement makes your ramen food tour colorful and fun.
Real Experiences from Tourists Who Tried Japanese Ramen
Many famous ramen shops in Japan welcome visitors from all over the world. These travelers share their ramen stories and feelings on social media.
「At Ichiran, I wrote my preferences on a sheet and ordered. The counter seats with partitions were very new to me. The deep taste of the soup and choosing noodle firmness was fun!」
― A traveler from France
「At a popular niboshi (dried fish) ramen shop in Tokyo, the smell of the fish broth surprised me. The balance between seafood flavor and soy sauce was perfect!」
― An American food blogger
「I was confused about how to buy the ticket, but a Japanese customer kindly helped me. Ippudo’s tonkotsu ramen was creamier than I imagined. I really want to come back!」
― A tourist from Germany
「Watching the chef cook noodles skillfully made me feel ramen is true art.」
― A traveler from Australia
These personal stories show how one simple bowl of Japanese ramen can leave a deep and lasting impression. Whether it’s the taste, the atmosphere, or the culture behind it, ramen offers a truly memorable experience for travelers.
How to Enjoy Ramen in Japan
Ramen shops in Japan often have their own “quirks” or special ways, especially small shops.
For example, how you buy a meal ticket and hand it to the staff can be different from shop to shop. Some places do not allow extra orders or even chatting while eating.
Even Japanese people sometimes feel unsure and watch others to learn.
When you go to a ramen shop in Japan, the seats are often quite close to others. During busy times, you might even share a table with other customers depending on the shop.
This isn’t considered rude. It’s a way to help more people enjoy their ramen by keeping things moving quickly. Ramen shops are not places to sit and relax for a long time.
Japanese people usually eat quickly and leave right after finishing.
It’s more like focusing hard on enjoying a great dish than having a long chat. If you want to eat slowly in a wide seat, noodles get soggy and soup cools down, and that makes ramen less tasty.
In Japan, slurping noodles loudly is not bad manners. However, first-timers might feel shy. So just enjoy in the way that feels good for you. I’m not very good at slurping noodles either, so I understand—it can feel a bit hard at first!
Even Japanese people feel nervous at shops with strong personalities—a quiet boss, loud cooking sounds, no menu questions, or no chatting allowed.
Don’t worry if you feel confused or make mistakes. Enjoying these different styles is part of the fun of ramen trips in Japan.
A Quick History of Ramen in Japan
Ramen came from China to Japan at the end of the 19th century. Shops like “Rairaiken” in Asakusa helped start Japanese ramen culture.
While it began as a Chinese-style noodle dish, ramen soon developed in unique ways across Japan. Over time, it became a completely different food with local flavors, cooking styles, and cultural meaning.
After World War II, ramen spread as food got scarce and eating out grew. Different soup types like soy, miso, salt, and tonkotsu developed, and many local ramen varieties appeared.
In the 1980s and 90s, instant ramen became popular worldwide, and famous ramen shops opened abroad.
Actually, instant ramen was first invented in Japan. It started in 1958, when Momofuku Ando created the world’s first instant noodles in Osaka.
Today, new ramen shops offer fresh ideas while keeping tradition and serve many tastes.
Outside Japan, ramen is often seen as instant food or a fancy Japanese dish. In the US, for example, ramen is enjoyed slowly like a gourmet meal, which is different from Japan’s fast, casual eating style.
This cultural difference is interesting.
Comparing Ramen in Japan, China, and Korea
Ramen is a food that came from Asia and changed in each country.
In China, there are many traditional noodle dishes that are the roots of ramen. In places like Lanzhou, the way to cut and cook noodles is unique.
The soups are usually light but full of spice or meat flavor. It’s not just ramen—it’s a deep and wide “noodle culture.”
I really love the unique Chinese flavor from the spices in the soup, and the chewy texture of knife-cut noodles like dao xiao mian!
In Korea, ramen is famous for instant noodles and spicy soup.
The noodles have a firm texture and bold flavor, very different from Japan’s softer taste. I also love spicy Korean ramen—it’s so addictive!
In Japan, ramen originally came from Chinese “lāmiàn,” but it changed a lot over time. Japan created its own styles with many types of soup and noodles. The deep flavors and skilled techniques have helped turn Japanese ramen into a global brand.
What Happens After the First Bowl?
After eating Japanese ramen, many people want to try more.
Every bowl has the chef’s care, local tastes, deep soup, and noodle feel that make each meal unique.
The rich soup flavor, colorful toppings, and aftertaste give a happy feeling and make you think, “I want to visit other ramen shops” or “I want to try local ramen from another place.”
If you want to compare bowls or explore different regions, plan a “regional ramen trip” or visit a “ramen street” next.
The world of ramen is deep and full of new discoveries waiting for you.
Want to take your ramen adventure even further?
Across Japan, you can join fun ramen tasting tours or even try making your own bowl in a ramen cooking experience.
It’s a great way to learn more about the ingredients, meet local chefs, and of course—taste even more delicious ramen!
👉 Ready to join a ramen tour or cooking class in Japan?
If you’re ready to explore more of Japan’s food culture beyond ramen, don’t miss our guide to rice dishes!
👉 Beyond Sushi: Discover Japan’s Unique Rice Dishes and Healthy Brown Rice Culture
