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What are Ramen Noodles?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ramen noodles are Japanese wheat noodles served in a rich broth that is typically meat-based. In Japan, ramen is commonly available at an assortment of establishments, ranging from small noodle stalls to bigger sit-down restaurants. Outside of Japan, consumers are often more familiar with the Ramen brand of instant noodles, developed by Momofuku Ando in 1958 for Nissin Foods.

The origins of traditional ramen noodles appear to lie in China, a nation with a long tradition of noodle-making. As early as the 17th century, the Japanese were eating “boiled noodles,” but ramen really took off in the 20th century, after Japan's trade had opened to the West. One of the major early imports into Japan was wheat, a grain that was previously in fairly scarce supply, and its ready availability made noodles produced from it a ubiquitous sight in Japan.

Bean sprouts, which can be used to garnish ramen noodles.
Bean sprouts, which can be used to garnish ramen noodles.

Sapporo, in the prefecture of Hokkaido, is probably most famous for its ramen noodles. They start with a broth, which is ideally made from scratch, and ingredients like miso, beef stock, and vegetable stock can all be used. The broth is heated, and fresh wheat noodles are thrown in to cook. When the noodles are served, they are often dressed with ingredients like slivered vegetables, meats, and boiled eggs, creating a filling and nutritious meal.

Shiitake mushrooms are a common addition to ramen soups.
Shiitake mushrooms are a common addition to ramen soups.

This traditional noodle soup can feature a variety of ingredients, depending on the region of Japan, and some cooks become masters at the art of noodle preparation, turning ramen noodles into a gourmet dish. With the development of instant noodles in 1958, the concept spread to the world at large, although these packaged noodles are a far cry from the original ramen.

Boiled eggs are often served with ramen noodles.
Boiled eggs are often served with ramen noodles.

Cooks who want to make traditional ramen at home will need a high-quality broth and some fresh wheat noodles. Many Chinese markets carry fresh noodles, and consumers may also be able to find them in the Asian foods section at regular grocery stores, if the store carries ethnic foods. The dish is prepared as detailed above, and cooks should remember to slice the garnishes thinly so that they cook in the broth, or to use larger, pre-cooked garnishes. Some garnish ideas for include sliced cooked meats, green onions, carrots, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and leafy greens. The dish can be made more flavorful with a sprinkling of soy sauce.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

gimbell

@aishia - Call me a junk food lover or the anti-gourmet, but I don't really like my ramen "authentic". The instant ramen with the little prepackaged flavor packets is one of my favorite snacks ever, especially the beef kind. I've never tried miso before, though, so who knows, maybe I would like it.

aishia

Has anybody tried miso ramen noodles? Traditional Japanese spices and flavorings can really help make ramen more authentic -- even the instant stuff tastes better if you put miso on it. Other than miso, sometimes I like to put kimchi powder in mine -- any other suggestions for flavorings that would be good on ramen noodles? Maybe more than one flavoring mixed together?

Hawthorne

I love ramen! I used to think that instant ramen, like Nissin and Maruchan ramen noodles you buy at the grocery store for really cheap, was the only kind of ramen there was. Then I saw the movie "The Ramen Girl", which is all about Brittany Murphy's character learning to make real, traditional, gourmet-style Japanese ramen the old-fashioned way for a ramen shop.

The food in that movie made me really want to try authentic Asian ramen noodles, so I looked up a ramen noodle recipe and tried making them from scratch. Sooo good -- I'll never eat instant ramen again now that I've had the home-made stuff!

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    • Bean sprouts, which can be used to garnish ramen noodles.
      By: rafcha
      Bean sprouts, which can be used to garnish ramen noodles.
    • Shiitake mushrooms are a common addition to ramen soups.
      By: Chris leachman
      Shiitake mushrooms are a common addition to ramen soups.
    • Boiled eggs are often served with ramen noodles.
      By: Natika
      Boiled eggs are often served with ramen noodles.
    • Some Asian cooks use ramen noodles in fragrant soups, along with carrots, scallions and other vegetables.
      By: sugar0607
      Some Asian cooks use ramen noodles in fragrant soups, along with carrots, scallions and other vegetables.