What is Ramen?

What is Rameni?
Ramen literally is a type of egg noodle, long, curly, and thin. The term ramen also refers to the soup dishes in which ramen noodles are featured, as a noodle&soup combination.

Ramen, in the sense of the soup, is typically distinguished by the type of broth and any special toppings included in addition to, or instead of, the customary chashui, negii, menmai, bean sprouts, norii and tamagoi (Note: although these toppings are customary, few ramen dishes include each of them. In our reviews of ramen, we will endeavor to list what toppings are included). For example, the baisc Shoyui ramen is ramen in a soy-based broth without any toppings other than the customary. The same go for Shio or Miso ramen, which are the same, with a salty pale yellow broth or a dark red/brown miso based broth, respectively. On the other hand, a Yasai (vegetable) ramen, would indicate that it comes with various other vegetable toppings.

Although the oyajii enjoy the simple and convenient instant ramen as well, the traditional and well made fresh ramen is an art and a subject of many debates and individual preferences. Every oyaji will have a few favorite ramen joints they claim is "the Best" place to get ramen.

History
The word ramen is the Japanese pronounciation of "Lo-mein" or "Lar-mein", the chinese noodle. It is now very much a Japanese cultural and traditional culinary experience.
For a more on the History of Ramen, click here.

Ramen Culture
Ramen shops in Japan look a certain way, like a Japanified Chinese Restaurant. Ramen is typically paired with a bowl of white rice and some Gyoza, and/or with a plate of Chahani (chinese style fried rice). Ramen will typically come with a Rengei spoon, the chinese style deep and grooved spoon (typically made with plastic). But there are many Wa-fuu (traditionally Japanese styled) ramen shops as well, and each region has its own flavor of ramen and looks and typical toppings and production.

Ramen shops are generally open from mid or late afternoon to after midnight (2 a.m., or sometimes even 3 or 4 a.m.), as it is often consumed by oyaji after work, and even more so after a night of drinking.

Turn around is fast, at a ramen shop, as you walk in, sit down at the counter, order. The ramen will appear, generally with a glass of water (unless you order beer), is slurped down loudly and quickly with the side dishes. A typical meal, from the time one walks in, to paying and leaving would be 15 minutes to 30 minutes max.

How to Eat Ramen
It is important to taste and drink the soup, and to loudly slurp the noodles vigorously. The louder and more vigorous, the better, as it shows appreciation for the ramen and the chef's efforts.
For more on How to Eat Ramen, click here.

Ramen is such a cultural corner stone, that there is even a very informative and popular movie called "Tampopo" on the subject of a chef's ordeal in starting up a ramen shop.