Ramen is almost a ubiquitous symbol of Japan, and now that you have the chance to finally try the iconic dish in its home country, how do you actually order a bowl in Japanese? When you enter a Japanese ramen shop for the first time, you will be showered with options and customizability to match your preferences, from how firm you like your noodles to how thick you want your soup.
What should you say, and how do you want to customize your ramen toppings? Let’s find out everything you need to know to get the best bowl of noodles you may ever have!
What is Japanese Ramen? Is It The Same As Chinese Noodles?
Ramen likely needs no introduction; you can find it everywhere with famous instant brands like Maruchan, but with all the regional variations, actually defining what ramen is and how it’s distinguished from other noodle-based dishes isn’t as easy as you might think. So, ramen generally refers to a dish consisting of Chinese-style wheat noodles in a savory broth. What really differentiates ramen from other noodle dishes is the inclusion of kansui, an alkaline solution that gives ramen noodles their characteristic bouncy, firm texture that doesn’t fall apart easily in broth.
However, this style of noodle soup originated in China, and it was one of many noodle soups brought over by Chinese immigrants. Eventually, they were collectively called 南京そば (nankin soba), based on how Chinatowns were referred to in Japanese as 南京町 (nankin machi), or “nankin towns.” Later, 中華そば (chuuka soba), meaning “Chinese noodles,” was adopted and is actually still used today. The actual name “ramen” is relatively new and wasn’t widely adopted until 1958. It’s likely the term also originates in China, but it was actually a name for another noodle dish, far removed from the one Japanese ramen actually came from.
Since ramen is a relatively new term, even to this day, when walking the bustling food streets of Japan, you will still come across shops using the word 中華そば (chuukasoba) instead of “ramen.” They both generally refer to the same thing, but generally shops making a more “classical” style of ramen will opt to use 中華そば.
So, over the years, ramen became the most popular term for this iconic noodle dish and has evolved into something unique to Japan, distinct from the Chinese version it originated from.
How Many Different Types of Japanese Ramen Can you Order?
As we mentioned, there is a variety of ramen, and different regions have developed their own unique takes on the iconic dish. If we dive into every variation of ramen that exists, this blog would never end! So, generally, ramen falls into broad categories based on the soup base. You’ve probably heard of 醤油ラーメン (shouyu ramen), a ramen with a soy sauce-based broth, which is one of several common types of ramen.
Most shops you will go to in Japan will specialize in one or two types of ramen rather than offering every variety you can think of. So, here are some broad categories of ramen to look for and try in Japan:
1. 醬油ラーメン (Shouyu Raamen): Shoyu Ramen
A soy sauce-based broth that brings a light, balanced savory flavor to the table, especially when paired with other ingredients such as meats like pork or chicken. The ramen is also characterized by its deep umami flavor that is known to be both comforting and nostalgic. It’s one of the oldest and most classic styles of ramen and is seen as the foundation of Japanese ramen culture.
2. 豚骨ラーメン (Tonkotsu Raamen): Pork Broth Ramen
Tonkotsu ramen is one of the most popular types of ramen, known for its bold, flavorful broth and rich, creamy texture. The deep umami and meaty flavor comes from the pork bones, which are boiled for hours, or even days, to release all the flavors that pork has to offer.
The island of Kyushu, particularly the Fukuoka and Kumamoto regions, is famous for its Tonkotsu ramen. The famous chain 一覧 (ichi-ran) comes from Fukuoka.
3. 煮干しラーメン (Niboshi Raamen): Dried Sardine Ramen
Niboshi Ramen consists of a broth made by boiling dried baby sardines, bringing out a dominant umami flavor that can range from light to intensely rich, salty, and slightly bitter.
4. 鳥白湯 ラーメン (Toripaitan Raamen): Chicken Broth Ramen
Similar to Tonkotsu ramen, toripaitan ramen is made by boiling chicken bones to create a chicken-based broth that’s characterized by its white color, creamy texture, and chicken-derived umami. It’s both mellow and rich, but considered a lighter cousin of the Tonkotsu broth.
5. 塩ラーメン (Shio Raamen): Salt Ramen
As the name implies, shio ramen, meaning “salt ramen,” consists of salt-seasoned broth offering a light but delicate flavor. It’s a simple yet balanced ramen that pairs well with the meats and other ingredients inside. The ramen is known for its clear broth that boasts hearty flavors.
6. 味噌ラーメン (Miso Raamen): Miso Ramen
Miso ramen is one of Japan’s quintessential ramen since it employs one of Japan’s most iconic flavors: miso, a fermented bean paste. The miso gives ramen a rich texture, deep umami, and nuttiness. It’s known for its hearty taste and ingredients; it’s easily one of Japan’s most popular comfort foods. Hokkaido is particularly famous for its Miso Ramen, which often incorporates unique ingredients such as corn, butter, and pork.
7. 油そば (Abura Soba): Oil Ramen
Abura soba literally means “oil ramen,” as it’s a brothless style of ramen tossed in soy sauce and lard or oil. The noodles are usually thicker and topped with slices of pork; it’s also common to add vinegar, chili oil, and garlic.
8. つけ麺 (Tsukemen): Dipping Noodles
Tsukemen is defined by the fact that you dip the noodles in a thick broth. Unlike conventional ramen, the noodles and soup are separated. The noodles tend to be thick and chewy, while the broth is more intense, lending the noodles a rich flavor.
This is a very non-exhaustive list of ramen varieties, but these are the quintessential ones that have come to define the Japanese style of ramen. But there are many popular ramen we didn’t go over, such as tantanmen, a spicy, nutty ramen considered more Chinese-style and often served in Chinese restaurants as well as ramen shops.
But whichever ramen you get, you can usually customize it to your liking, so let’s find out what options you have and how you can describe what you like.
Common Options For Customizing Your Ramen Order in Japanese
Most ramen shops and even stalls offer a variety of options to match your preferences. Each restaurant has its own system for taking orders; most commonly, you order the ramen through a vending machine, which distributes a ticket that you give to the staff. Then you have to let staff know your preferences. Oftentimes, you might hear this phrase:
お好みはありますか？
Okonomi wa arimasu ka?
Do you have any preferences?
お好み (okonomi) translates to “preferences,” so this is when you can tell the staff how you like your noodles, soup thickness, and even how oily you want the soup, among other things that the shop can offer. It is similar to how steakhouses will ask how you like your meat cooked. Noodles are pretty similar, where the length of cooking time will give them a firmer or softer texture.
However, some shops will actually have you fill out a paper form to specify your preferences based on specific options the shop offers. Every restaurant might offer customizations unique to its store, such as adding chili powder. So, how do you discuss your ramen preferences in Japanese, and what are some common customizations you are usually able to do when you visit a ramen shop?
1. Types of Noodles in Japanese
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 太麺 | Futomen | Thick noodles |
| ちぢれ麺 | Chijiremen | Wavy (curly) noodles |
| 細麺 | Hosomen | Thin noodles |
Some ramen shops will offer different types of noodles, from thin to thick. But note that not all shops offer a variety of noodle styles, since they may focus on serving only one type of noodle that pairs best with the broth. But here are the ramen noodle varieties you will find in many ramen shops across Japan.
太麵 (Futomen):
Literally means “fat noodles”; they are thicker (not as thick as udon) and ideal for thicker, heavier broths since they won’t get soggy as quickly. They are a popular choice for miso ramen.
ちじれめん (Chijiremen):
Chijiremen literally translates to “wavy noodles,” which, as the name implies, are curly and bouncy. This allows the noodles to hold on to the broth and toppings. These noodles are popular with shoyu (soy sauce) ramen and tsukemen, a type of ramen where you dip the noodles in the broth.
細麵 (Hosomen):
Hosomen literally means “thin noodles,” so they are known for being very thin, light, and delicate. They provide a subtle texture that goes well with light broths like shio ramen, since they also cook and absorb flavor more easily.
Most of the time, when ramen shops offer different noodle options, they will ask you to choose between futomen (thick noodles) and hosomen (thin noodles). Often, chijiremen is just the default option for ramen shops that use them. But how do you actually let the staff know which noodles you want? Generally, you can just say the noodles you prefer, followed by お願いします (onegaishimasu) or ください (kudasai), a respectful way of saying “please.”
Example:
細麺お願いします。
Hosomen onegaishimasu.
Thin noodles, please.
2. 面の硬さ(Men no Katasa): Noodle Firmness
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| かため | Katame | Firm (hard) noodles |
| 普通 | Futsuu | Normal firmness |
| 軟らかめ | Yawarakame | Soft noodles |
麺の硬さ refers to how firm or soft you would prefer your noodle texture. Generally, stores will give you 3 options, including the following:
1. かため (Katame)
Firm or hard noodles, cooked for less time, have a firmer, less moist texture.
2. 普通 (Futsuu):
Normal or standard noodle firmness, best for those who don’t want their noodles too firm nor too soft.
3. 軟らかめ (Yawarakame):
Soft noodles, cooked for longer, have a softer texture that’s easy to bite and chew.
Many ramen shops will just have you fill out a paper to specify how firm you want your noodles, but it’s also really common for shops to ask you how you like your noodles directly. It might be one of the most common follow-up questions after you order the ramen and specify the size.
Example:
スタッフ：麺の硬さはどうされますか？
Sutaffu: Men no katasa wa dousaremasuka?
Staff: How firm would you like your noodles?
あなた: めんをかためでお願いします
Anata: Men o katame de onegaishimasu.
You: I would like my noodles firm, please.
Like the previous example, you can use onegaishimasu to make a polite request. However, when specifying how firm or soft you want your noodles, you have to attach the particle で to the adjective. In this case, if you want hard noodles, you have to say かためで (katame de).
3. 味の濃さ (ji no Kosa): Soup Thickness
味の濃さ refers to how rich or light you would prefer the flavor of your soup to be. Generally, stores will give you 3 options, including the following:
- こってり／濃いめ (Kotteri / Koime): Thick or rich flavor, with a heavier, more concentrated taste.
- 普通 (Futsuu): Normal or standard richness, a balanced choice for those who don’t want their soup too heavy nor too light.
- あっさり／薄め (Assari / Usume): Light flavor, with a more delicate, subtle taste.
Just like with noodle firmness, you can use the same sentence structure to request your preferred soup thickness, simply by replacing 麺 (men) with スープ (suupu):
Example:
スープをこってりでお願いします。
Suupu o kotteri de onegaishimasu.
I would like my soup rich, please.
4. 脂の量 (Abura no Ryou): Soup Oiliness
脂の量 refers to how much oil you would prefer in your soup. Generally, stores will give you 3 options, including the following:
- 多め (Oome): More oil, for a richer, heavier mouthfeel.
- 普通 (Futsuu): Normal or standard amount of oil.
- 少なめ (Sukuname): Less oil, for a lighter, cleaner finish.
Again, the same sentence structure applies here, simply replace 麺 (men) with 脂 (abura) to specify how oily you would like your soup:
Example:
脂を少なめでお願いします。
Abura o sukuname de onegaishimasu.
I would like less oil, please.
5. Serving Sizes
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| 並盛り | Namimori | Regular size |
| 中盛り | Nakamori | Medium size |
| 大盛り | Oomori | Large size |
| 特大 | Tokudai | Extra-large size |
| 特製 | Tokusei | Special |
Of course, you can choose your preferred serving size based on how much you can eat and your appetite. Note that Japanese portion sizes tend to be smaller, so the regular portion might not be enough if you’re used to Western servings. However, there are ramen shops known for their monumental portions, so try to see how big the sizes actually are before you bite more than you can chew.
Here are the general portion size categories you can expect to find at a Japanese ramen shop.
- 並盛り(Nami Mori): Normal Size
- 中盛り(Naka Mori): Medium Size
- 大盛り(Oo Mori): Large Size
- 特大 (Toku Dai): Extra-large Size
- 特製 (Toku Sei): Special Portion
Usually, you choose the ramen size when you order it from the vending machine, but some shops may only take spoken orders. Generally, when you order the ramen you want, you may have to specify the size as well. Here is how you can do that in one sentence.
Example:
豚骨ラーメンの大盛りでお願いします。
Tonkotsu raamen no oomori de onegaishimasu.
I would like a large tonkotsu ramen, please.
You can also say 大盛りのラーメンお願いします (oomori no raamen onegaishimasu) to say the same thing. The particle の is used to connect the ramen you want, tonkotsu, with your desired size, oomori. You can use の either to say 豚骨ラーメンの大盛り (tonkotsu raamen no oomori) or 大盛りの豚骨ラーメン (oomori no tonkotsu raamen) which both mean large-sized tonkotsu ramen.
Also note that most ramen restaurants serving Yokohama-style ramen offer a free bowl of ご飯 (gohan), or rice. They are usually labeled 横浜家系 (Yokohama Kakei), meaning Yokohama-style. Also, be on the lookout for free size upgrades or extra noodles; the word for “free” is 無料 (Muryou).
6. Typical Toppings, Side Orders, & Condiments
No ramen is complete without the toppings and sides that elevate this iconic dish to one of the world’s most beloved noodle dishes. From the tender pork slices to the green onion that adds subtle flavor and texture, these toppings can really do a lot of heavy lifting to make the ramen even tastier. So, let’s find out the most common Japanese words you need to know for topping your ramen with even more deliciousness!
Here’s the table on its own so you can copy it directly:
| English | Japanese | Hiragana | Romaji |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seaweed | のり | のり | Nori |
| Green onion | ねぎ | ねぎ | Aonegi |
| Chashu | チャーシュー | ちゃーしゅー | Chaashuu |
| Flavored soft-boiled egg | 味玉卵 | あじたまたまご | Ajitama Tamago |
| Fish cake | なると | なると | Naruto |
| Bamboo shoots | メンマ | めんま | Menma |
| Mustard greens | 高菜 | たかな | Takana |
| Red pickled ginger | 紅しょうが | べにしょうが | Beni Shouga |
| Noodle refill | 替え玉 | かえだま | Kaedama |
| 7 spice pepper/pepper | 七味唐辛子／胡椒 | しちみとうがらし／こしょう | Shichimi Tougarashi / Koshou |
| Vinegar | 酢 | す | Su |
| Chilli oil | 辣油 | らーゆ | Raayu |
Bring it All Together to Order Your Preferred Ramen in Japanese
Since some ramen stores will only take spoken orders and won’t have any order forms to specify your preferences, let’s see how you can actually answer the question “Do you have any preferences?” or お好みはありますか？(okomi wa arimasuka?) in a natural and confident way.
Generally, when you order a ramen, you will need to specify the ramen you want, as well as the size, first:
Example 1:
並盛りの塩ラーメンお願いします。
Nami mori no shio raamen onegaishimasu.
I would like a standard-sized shio ramen, please.
Afterward, the staff will likely ask about preferences, either asking about noodles or preferences specifically, or will ask the general question お好みはありますか？ to which you can answer with this example.
Example 2:
麺は細麺で、硬さは普通で、スープはこってりで、脂は少なめでお願いします。
Men wa hosomen de, katasa wa futsuu de, suupu wa kotteri de, abura wa sukuname de onegaishimasu.
For the noodles, I’d like thin noodles, normal firmness, a rich soup, and less oil, please.
You can simply chain your preferences together using the で particle between each one and finish the whole thing with お願いします at the end. This is a very natural and efficient way to rattle off multiple preferences in one go without pausing between items.
If you only have one or two preferences, you can of course keep it much simpler:
Example 3:
麺は太麺で、硬さはかためでお願いします。
Men wa futomen de, katasa wa katame de onegaishimasu.
I’d like thick noodles and firm, please.
But if you have no preferences, you can simply let them know you’ll use the standard for everything. Here is how you can say that in Japanese:
Example 4:
普通でお願いします。
Futsuu de onegaishimasu.
Regular is fine, thank you.
普通 (futsuu) can translate to “regular” or “standard,” so it’s a convenient go-to phrase when you don’t have preferences or just want the ramen as it normally is.
Conclusion: Ordering The Best Ramen is About Sharing Your Preferences
Ramen is undeniably one of the best foods to try in Japan; however, ordering it there can be daunting with all the options and customizations. But don’t worry, even in the shops that don’t have any paper form to fill out, just by remembering a few phrases from this blog, you will get the best bowl of ramen tailored to your desired tastes! And if you don’t really have any particularities, just simply say 普通でお願いします (futsuu de onegaishimasu)!
Practice Ordering Ramen in Japanese with Coto Academy!
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FAQ:
How do you order ramen in Japanese?
You can simply specify your desired ramen and add お願いします (onegaishimasu), for example, 味噌ラーメンお願いします (miso raamen onegaishimasu), meaning “miso ramen please.” However, note that many ramen shops use a vending machine system where you purchase a ticket for your chosen ramen and hand it to the staff.
How do you say your noodle preferences in Japanese
For noodle type, simply say the noodle you want, followed by お願いします (onegaishimasu), you can say 細麺 (hosomen) for thin, 太麺 (futomen) for thick, or ちじれ麺 (chijiremen) for wavy. For firmness, use かため (katame) for firm, 普通 (futsuu) for normal, or 軟らかめ (yawarakame) for soft, attaching で to the adjective before お願いします.
What if you have no preferences when ordering ramen?
If you are happy with the standard settings, a simple 普通でお願いします (futsuu de onegaishimasu) meaning “regular is fine, thank you” is all you need. This is a universally understood response that tells staff you are happy with everything as standard, and is a great fallback if you are unsure what to order.