Nothing compares to diving into a large bowl of steaming ramen. But there are proper and improper ways to enjoy this delectable Japanese favorite. There is no justification for eating plain ramen straight from the package, and the right toppings and modifications can really transform the dish. The next time you’re ready for ramen, avoid these blunders and give your bowl the respect it deserves by following these simple guidelines.
1) Dont skip the sniff. While everyone is eager to begin tasting, remember to first take in the aroma of your ramen before you begin to eat. Before you eat, make sure to inhale the aromas, as this will enhance the flavor.
2) Dont get grabby. It’s nearly impossible to wrap all the noodles neatly if you take too many at once. Eating noodles and toppings in small, manageable portions at a time will help you avoid filling your chopsticks to the brim. Itll help you with twisting, too.
3) Dont twist in the bowl. In relation to twisting your noodles, you should do this away from the broth. For a little more control, loop the noodles over your chopsticks with the spoon acting as an anchor. It makes for a neater, more enjoyable experience.
4) Dont forget the egg. If you skip the egg when making ramen, you’re doing it wrong. The ramen broth is only made better by the yolky goodness.
5) Dont make it hard on yourself. Do not hold your chopsticks in your left hand, even though it probably goes without saying. If you’re not a serious lefty, this will end badly. Even though it takes some practice to get the hang of it, using chopsticks to eat ramen is mandatory (never use a fork).
6) Dont forget the Nori, either. Nori (seaweed) can be confusing for the uninitiated. If youve never had seaweed, youre in for a treat. Although the salty food is delicious and paper thin, it should be consumed quickly. Wait too long and itll get soggy in the broth. Cut it up with chopsticks or a spoon, then devour it quickly.
7) Dont be shy about slurping. While slurping is customary when enjoying ramen, it may seem impolite in American culture. Start by tasting the broth to get a true sense of the flavor before eating the noodles. Next, when you’re ready to include noodles in the dish, eat them. A note here: good ramen has slurpable noodles. If the noodles stick together, ask for a fresh bowl. When you’re done, you’re welcome to tip the bowl back and gulp down any leftover broth.
8) Dont camp out. If you look at traditional ramen shops, you’ll see that many of them have standing room only. Why? The dish is meant to be eaten quickly. There is no need to take your time with the dish because ramen is best when eaten hot. Additionally, the longer it remains unfinished, the more the noodles absorb the soup. Take a bite and let the goodness that has been simmering warm you up with your spoon and chopsticks.
9) Dont substitute. Let me be clear: no substitutions ever. Sriracha is the sole exception to this rule (since it improves everything) along with any other toppings the chef provides. But in all seriousness, do not add salt, fish sauce, or hoisin. We’re going to assume that the real ramen broth is fine just the way it is because it takes hours to perfect.
10) Dont forget to double-fist. When it comes to eating ramen, its a two-handed effort. Pull the noodles out and use your soup spoon to loop them loosely over your chopsticks. Next, re-dunk the noodles in the broth, and scoop up some soup with a spoon. Bring both at once to your mouth, ideally with some green onions added. When you get the broth, noodles, and toppings all at once, the dish is at its best.
How to Eat Ramen Noodles with Chopsticks, Like a Pro.
Japanese ramen is getting more and more well-known everywhere, probably because it is so delicious!
However, a lot of you might be seriously missing out if you’re not ordering ramen in restaurants because you lack the confidence and knowledge necessary to eat ramen properly.
Chopsticks should be used to eat ramen as a sign of respect for the chef and appreciation for Japanese tradition, even though it may seem challenging at first.
But don’t worry; once you understand these ramen tricks, we promise you’ll be happily slurping away in no time.
How to Eat Ramen in Japan
Ramen has gained popularity throughout the world because it is not only Japan’s most well-known comfort food, but also an incredibly gourmet and complex dish.
The best place to eat ramen is in Tokyo, not just because it was invented there, but also because it is the nation’s capital, where the best chefs and, more importantly, the fusion of regional styles can be found. You can move from one restaurant serving beef-based ramen to another that has received accolades from the Michelin Guide even within the same city district.
The fact that ramen is inexpensive and widely available makes it even more alluring. For as little as 800 JPY ($7. 30 USD), you can place an order for a bowl of ramen that is made-to-order right in front of you with the finest ingredients available on the planet. Sounds like something you’d find in a stuffy, pinky-pointing restaurant, but this is actually a small, 8-person closet with a master chef who has dedicated his entire life to his craft standing in front of you.
Tokyo has at least 50,000 ramen shops, depending on the day. I created a guide to the best ramen in Tokyo because of this.
2) Dont get grabby. It’s nearly impossible to wrap all the noodles neatly if you take too many at once. Eating noodles and toppings in small, manageable portions at a time will help you avoid filling your chopsticks to the brim. Itll help you with twisting, too.
6) Dont forget the Nori, either. Nori (seaweed) can be confusing for the uninitiated. If youve never had seaweed, youre in for a treat. Although the salty food is delicious and paper thin, it should be consumed quickly. Wait too long and itll get soggy in the broth. Cut it up with chopsticks or a spoon, then devour it quickly.
Nothing compares to diving into a large bowl of steaming ramen. But there are proper and improper ways to enjoy this delectable Japanese favorite. There is no justification for eating plain ramen straight from the package, and the right toppings and modifications can really transform the dish. The next time you’re ready for ramen, avoid these blunders and give your bowl the respect it deserves by following these simple guidelines.
8) Dont camp out. If you look at traditional ramen shops, you’ll see that many of them have standing room only. Why? The dish is meant to be eaten quickly. There is no need to take your time with the dish because ramen is best when eaten hot. Additionally, the longer it remains unfinished, the more the noodles absorb the soup. Take a bite and let the goodness that has been simmering warm you up with your spoon and chopsticks.
10) Dont forget to double-fist. When it comes to eating ramen, its a two-handed effort. Pull the noodles out and use your soup spoon to loop them loosely over your chopsticks. Next, re-dunk the noodles in the broth, and scoop up some soup with a spoon. Bring both at once to your mouth, ideally with some green onions added. When you get the broth, noodles, and toppings all at once, the dish is at its best.
FAQ
What is the proper way to eat ramen noodles?
Ramen is best consumed in small, manageable mouthfuls, so try not to pick up too many noodles at once. To allow the noodles to absorb the flavor of the broth, dip them in and out. Hold your spoon underneath as you do this to help the noodles stand and to gather more broth.
Do you chew noodles in Japan?
When discussing Japanese table manners, one of the first things you’ll learn is that it’s acceptable and even polite to audibly slurp your noodles. It doesn’t matter if it’s ramen, soba, or udon. Noodles prepared in the Japanese style are meant to be slurped, with the sound indicating that you are enjoying the dish.
Are you supposed to drink the broth in ramen?
It’s totally OK to drink the broth from the bowl. It’s considered a compliment to how good the broth is. But consume it at your own risk because those broths are sodium bombs (see above). When you’ve consumed all of the noodles in your bowl, it’s also acceptable to request more.
Are you supposed to eat the seaweed in ramen?
Yes, you eat the nori with the ramen, which is why it is provided. Here are some fun nori facts and suggestions for how to enjoy it. Keep reading and you will find out.
