How to Eat Ramen: The Proper Way to Eat Noodles with Chopsticks in Japan
By Lisa Bot | Published 30 November 2023
Introduction to Ramen Etiquette in Japan
Importance of eating ramen
Ramen is more than just a meal in Japan - it's a culinary journey that reflects a blend of culture, tradition and community. Consuming ramen is a sensory experience, offering a unique combination of umami flavours that are savoured right until the last drop of broth. Not only is it delicious, but the broth used in ramen is also full of essential nutrients like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and certain amino acids, making it as nutritious as it is tasty.
Types of ramen
Ramen has different variations, each with its unique taste, ingredients, and style. Many restaurants in Japan offer options between the four main categories of ramen:
- Shoyu (Soy Sauce Base): A subtly sweet, tangy, and salty broth made with a soy sauce base that often contains pork, green onions, bamboo shoots, and Naruto fish cakes.
- Miso: Originating in Hokkaido, this variant uses a hearty miso soup base and often includes bean sprouts, chopped pork, and green onions.
- Shio (Salt Base): This is the oldest form of ramen, which, with its clear, salty broth, is light on the palate but doesn't skimp on flavour.
- Tonkotsu (Pork Bone Base): A rich, creamy broth made from boiling pork bones over high heat for many hours. Topped with braised pork belly, green onions, and seasoned bamboo shoots.
Additionally, consider trying some regional styles like Kitakata's soy-based pork soup, Tokyo style's chicken, dashi, and soy mix, or Iekei style in Yokohama, varying the traditional tonkotsu with additions like spinach.
Learn more about the most popular types of ramen in our blog post: Popular Types Of Ramen: What Are The Different Types Of Broth And Which Is The Best For You?
Tools required to dine on Ramen
Using chopsticks for ramen
Time to pick up those chopsticks! They may seem tricky at first, but with some practice, you'll know how to handle them like the locals. First, hold the top chopstick like a pencil. Next, place the other one below it, resting it on the base of your thumb for support. Keep only the top chopstick mobile, using it to meet the bottom one in order to pick up food. Precision is not required — just grab a mouthful amount of noodles when eating ramen, not too much, and definitely not too little.
With chopsticks, it's all about control. So, keep your chopsticks in your dominant hand to make the process easier. This little adjustment can make a world of difference while twirling noodles in the brothy wonderland which is your ramen.
But remember, it's a delicate dance, not a wrestling match. So no clashing or crossing the chopsticks — it's considered bad luck in Japanese tradition! But don't worry if you're not a chopstick expert right away; it's all part of the journey to becoming a ramen pro.
The role of the spoon
Let's move on to the 'chirirenge' or the ramen spoon — crucial to getting a good taste of that soulful broth. Like a fallen lotus petal, its unique shape helps make sure you enjoy every bit of your ramen soup. Designed to be deeper and have smoother edges, the ramen spoon allows you to sip the broth without lifting the entire bowl, helping to avoid spillages.
The correct way of holding a ramen spoon is horizontally, similar to a regular spoon. Just dip it in your bowl and gently allow the savoury broth to fill the spoon. Make sure not to scoop too much to prevent spillage. Once you have the desired amount of broth in your spoon, you can enjoy it by lightly slurping from the side.
But here's a fun fact: you don't have to use the provided spoon. Drinking directly from the bowl is widely acceptable and often practiced in Japan. However, remember to do so carefully, as the ramen is served piping hot.
Step-by-Step Guide to Eating Ramen
Soup first, noodles later: An order to your ramen meal
Every culinary tale has an order, and the same goes for a bowl of ramen! The soup or broth should be the curtain-raiser to your ramen experience. Before forking down into the noodles, always start with the renge - the spoon that comes with your bowl of ramen. Ramen's soul lies in its broth, with its complex flavours being the product of hours of craftsmanship and simmering. You should appreciate and savour this broth on its own first.
Then comes the star of the show, the noodles. Since the noodles are immersed in broth, they can become mushy if they sit for a long time. Hence, to enjoy the best and most delicious al dente texture, you should consume the noodles promptly after the broth. Make sure to lean your face close to the bowl for a no-mess and immersive ramen eating experience.
Mastering the art of slurping
In the West, it might be awkward to imagine slurping your food. However, in Japan, not only is it normal — it's preferred. Slurping ramen is a sort of respect to the chef and also a way to enhance the flavours of this signature dish. When you slurp, you're introducing cool air into your mouth that simultaneously cools down the hot soup and signals your taste buds to the nuanced flavours in the ramen. So here's how you can master it:
- Move your face close to the bowl - This will minimise any potential messy instances.
- Get a good chunk of noodles on your chopstick - Don't load it too high. Just enough that you can slurp without choking.
- Slurp! - Don't be shy about it. Go ahead, suck those noodles up with a good, strong slurp!
Remember, it might feel strange at first, but you're doing it right!
Noodle Etiquettes
Lift those noodles high: proper way of handling noodles
Handling noodles in a bowl of ramen is an art, and like most art forms, it requires finesse and a little bit of know-how. Start by using your chopsticks to carefully pick up a small portion of noodles. Don't be greedy – you don't want them slipping off or to lose some topping in the process!
Once you have a manageable bundle, lift them high into the air. This isn't just for show: it allows the noodles to separate from the main pack and cool a little before you eat them. It can also help to avoid noodle burn - nobody wants that!
Remember to let excess broth drip off the noodles and make sure to have a napkin on your lap to avoid any ramen spillage. This neat trick enhances the balance between the broth, noodles, and toppings.
Slurping up the noodles: Why slurping is more than OK in Japan
The action of slurping in Japan transcends the general act of eating noodles. For the Japanese, it's a cultural norm rooted in centuries of tradition. Surprisingly, slurping was first adopted during the Edo period (1603-1868) to enhance the enjoyment of soba noodles, which have a very subtle flavour. The act of slurping, which also incorporates more air, allows the flavours to be savoured through the nose as well as the mouth.
Over time, this practice was applied to ramen. To the Japanese, slurping is the auditory equivalent of saying "delicious," equivalent to a high compliment to the chef. In addition, slurping aids in cooling down the hot soup which otherwise might be too hot to consume immediately.
So, once you understand the significance of slurping in Japanese dining, the practice might become less quirky and more meaningful. In fact, it might enhance your own experience of slurping up sinfully delicious ramen.
Additional Ramen Eating Tips
Show restraint with condiments
The chefs who tirelessly craft your beautiful bowl of ramen do so with perfect balance in mind. Lots of thought, artistry, and culinary intuition goes into every bowl of ramen, ensuring its flavour is as balanced as possible. But if you feel the need to tweak the taste, most ramen places do offer condiments like soy sauce, chilli oil, or garlic to add in.
However, before immediately shaking, pressing, or pouring anything into your ramen, hold up and give your ramen a chance. Relish each flavour in its original form; appreciate the depth, the texture, and the balance in every sip and bite.
If you want to add something, it's better to do so towards the end of your meal, only after you've savoured the original flavours. Remember, once you've loaded on condiments, there's no going back!
Eat right away – why speed matters in enjoying ramen
Ramen isn’t a dish to be languished over. It's a meal best enjoyed fresh, hot, and with a sense of urgency. Remember that ramen is at its peak within the first ten minutes of its preparation. The longer the noodles sit in the broth, the more water they absorb, expanding and losing their intended texture.
Ramen chef Ivan Orkin mentions that with his 10 years of learning how to make noodles, they only have about 10 minutes of life. In Tokyo, a typical patron would finish their ramen in 4 minutes, while in New York, people take longer, up to 20 to 40 minutes, which can be slightly heartbreaking for the chef.
So, abandon your strategy of letting your ramen cool down and make nice with the mix. Practice your slurp to cool the noodles and don't waste time. Embrace haste. Each second that passes is an opportunity for your ramen’s peak deliciousness to prematurely retire.
Common mistakes to avoid while eating Ramen
Is it rude to eat ramen with a fork?
In Japan, eating ramen with a fork may not necessarily be considered rude, but it can be seen as an unusual practice because traditionally, chopsticks and a spoon are used to consume this meals. Although ramen has long, spaghetti-like noodles that may tempt a fork-twirling action, the use of chopsticks in combination with the spoon optimises the balance of slurping noodles and savouring the broth in each mouthful.
Besides, a fork can be inefficient with ramen as it can't properly pick up the toppings, broth, and noodles all at once, potentially creating a mess. So, when in Japan, do like the locals do. Use the chopsticks and spoon, give the fork a break, and immerse yourself in the authentic ramen experience.
Are you supposed to drink the broth in ramen?
Indeed, you are supposed to drink the broth in ramen and it plays a significant part in the overall ramen experience. The soup or broth is the foundation of any ramen dish and is meticulously prepared, often slow-cooked over several hours to draw out as much flavour as possible from the ingredients.
There are two schools of thought regarding whether you should drink all the broth. Some believe it's polite to finish the broth as it's full of flavours that the cook has spent so much time creating. Others feel that the broth should just be savoured as a complement to the noodles, and not necessarily consumed entirely.
However, it's considered utterly traditional to drink the complete broth after finishing the noodles, straight from the bowl. So yes, do drink the broth. Savour it, appreciate it, and enjoy every delectable slurp! It's worth savouring every last bit, not just because it's chock-full of flavours, but also because of the nutrients it offers.
Read our full guide for more information: What Is In Ramen? Everything You Need To Know About This Popular Japanese Noodle Soup
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to eat ramen without splattering?
If you're wondering how to avoid the aftermath of a good, hearty slurp, here's a quick guide:
- Keep your noodles on the spoon: As you lift noodles with your chopsticks, lay the streaming end onto your spoon and take it all in one slurp.
- Get close to the bowl: Move closer to the bowl when consuming ramen to avoid long food-to-mouth distance that may cause splatter.
- Control your chopsticks: Manage the amount of ramen you lift. Target for a mouthful, but keep it reasonable to prevent noodles from flinging around.
- Avoid sudden movements: Slurp gently and avoid abrupt movements with your chopsticks. This will help to avoid splattering soup around you.
Remember, practice makes perfect, and soon you'll be slurping with the best of them, sans the mess!
Can I use a spoon as the base when eating ramen?
Absolutely, you can! Using your spoon as a base when eating ramen is a popular practice. This method involves holding your spoon in one hand and your chopsticks in the other. Use the chopsticks to gently place a portion of noodles onto the spoon, then add in a bit of broth and toppings if desired.
This way, you can enjoy a perfect balance of elements with each delectable slurp. The spoon serves as a small bowl or plate, giving you the perfect combination of broth, noodles, and toppings for each bite or slurp. It's also a neat way to eat, preventing you from dripping the soup all over yourself.
Conclusion
Embracing the world of ramen
Venturing into the culture of ramen is like embarking on a flavour adventure. Navigating the broad range of broth styles, toppings, and variations will take you on a gastronomic trek across Japan without even leaving your table. Whether you like your bowl filled with soy-based shoyu, miso, the old-school salt-based shio, or the rich, creamy tonkotsu, there's a ramen out there just for you.
Ramen is more than just a meal - it's a cultural touchstone that goes beyond food. So next time you delve into your bowl, remember the artistry and tradition behind every bite. Take a moment to enjoy the rich heritage and unwavering dedication to taste that embodies a bowl of ramen.
Taking your ramen experience to next level
Ready to level up your ramen game? Here are some quick hacks:
- Mix It Up: Experiment with different toppings and broths for a new experience. This includes everything from sesame seeds, pickled ginger, and fresh garlic, to even bolder additions like spicy chilli oil.
- Get The Balance Right: Use both chopsticks and spoon to get a proportionate balance of soup, noodles, and toppings in each bite. This can heighten the taste of your ramen.
- Slurping is Good: Don't forget to slurp - The louder, the better. It shows your appreciation and enhances the flavours.
- Eat Fresh & Fast: Enjoy your ramen right out of the kitchen when it’s at its peak. The essence of ramen lies in its al dente noodles and piping hot broth.
So, dig in, slurp loudly, show your appreciation, and take your ramen experience to the next level. Because, after all, ramen is about eating with gusto and wholehearted enjoyment! Bon appetit, or as the Japanese would say, "Itadakimasu!"
