A quick history of ramen - YOKOCHO style
We begin our story a long time ago so fasten your seat belts for a whistle stop tour of ramen history! It starts in 1800s China, which is considered to be the birthplace of all things ramen. The idea of noodles in a soupy broth travelled with Chinese immigrants in the late 19th or early 20th Century to Japan after the Meijiichin [Meiji Restoration] in 1868. On arriving in Japan Chinatowns sprung up like the one in Yokohama - a busy port town that helped to spread the popularity of ramen throughout Japan.
The first Japanese restaurant to serve up a bowl of noodles similar to today’s ramen was Yowaken 養和軒 in 1884, but it wasn’t until 1910 that Japan had its first ramen shop called Rairaiken 来々軒 in Asakura, Tokyo.
Then in 1947 f*ckuoka, the now world famous Hakata tonkotsu Ramen was actually made by sheer mistake! Restaurant chefs when they over boiled the soup, made the pork broth extra milky and white. But on tasting it they realised they were on to a good thing - and Hakata tonkotsu broth was born.
Regional variations of ramen started to spring up with the first being Ajino Sanpei 味の三平 in Sapporo, Hokkaido in the north of Japan, the first ramen bar to create miso ramen - now synonymous with Hokkaido just as much as the snowboarding.
Onwards to post war Japan, bread and wheat consumption increased, with wheat being made into ramen noodles. By 1950 ramen noodles were increasingly being eaten at outdoor street stalls known as yatai that started to spring up across towns and cities offering workers a quick hot meal at all hours of the day and night.
In 1958, a key milestone for ramen fans was the invention of instant noodles by Momof*cku Ando, the Taiwanese-Japanese founder of Nissin Foods. This allowed anyone to make this comfort soul food at home in just a few easy steps.
By the 1980s, ramen popularity was growing not just in Japan but globally too as the booming decade saw the need for a quick rest stop for busy workers and soon ramen become a foodie symbol of Japan alongside sushi, sake and matcha.
During this time, more and more regional varieties of ramen began to be created and became available across Japan. From salt “Shio”, soy “Shoyu”, miso and tonkotsu - with lots of types in between! All the regional ramen have different stories about their creation, background and history of the toppings - let’s discover them.
The appetite for ramen saw a ramen museum open in Yokohama in 1994, a celebration of all things ramen. Over in Hakata Canal City, they built a Ramen Stadium - a food court celebrating regional ramen with 8 famous ramen yatai in one space.
Today ramen is a global food, with ramen shops and bars across the world celebrating this awesome comfort food. In Japan alone there are 24,000 ramen shops, with 5,000 just in Tokyo! That’s a trip we want to do!
In 2012, Shoryu Ramen became one of the first ramen bars to bring genuine Hakata Tonkotsu ramen to ramen fans, helping the London and UK ramen boom, so much so that tonkotsu ramen became one of London’s favourite soul food dishes.
In 2020, we welcomed Heddon Yokocho to the ramen scene, a true love affair and celebration of regional ramen right here in the heart of London. Now grab your chopsticks and a beer and let’s take you on a journey across Japan.
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FAQs
The dish has its origins in China, where it was introduced to Japan in the 19th century. The first known instance of ramen in Japan occurred in 1859, when the Chinese ambassador to Japan, Zeng Gongliang, presented the dish to the Japanese Emperor.
Why was ramen illegal in Japan? ›
Conflict & Difficult Times. The famine, food shortages and difficult times that followed World War II nearly wiped out the first wave of ramen's popularity. Making a living in the food business was made impossible after Japan's government prohibited people from making a profit from a restaurant or push cart until 1949.
What is the oldest ramen shop in the US? ›
Little Tokyo's Kouraku is known as America's oldest Japanese ramen noodle restaurant still in operation. Founded in 1976, Kouraku was taken over by the late Hiroshi Yamauchi in 1986, who brought popular post-World War II Japanese comfort food to the community.
Why is Japanese ramen so popular? ›
Ramen gained popularity in Japan, especially during food shortages following World War II. In 1958, instant noodles were invented by Momof*cku Ando, further popularizing the dish. Today, ramen is a cultural icon in Japan, with many regional varieties and a wide range of toppings.
Who originally made ramen? ›
Instant ramen was first invented in 1958 by Japanese-Taiwanese businessman and Noodle God, Momof*cku Ando.
Is it rude to drink ramen broth in Japan? ›
It's important that you enjoy that delicious soup by itself. You don't even have to use the provided spoon - it's completely acceptable to drink directly from the bowl. But do be careful - ramen is served hot in Japan!
Is it rude to eat ramen with a fork in Japan? ›
It may be considered rude to eat ramen with a fork if you are in a traditional setting or restaurant. This is because it is traditional to eat ramen with a set of chopsticks and a ramen ladle. However you can eat with a fork when you're at home if it's how you feel most comfortable.
Why can't Muslims eat ramen? ›
Ramen is the epitome of Japanese food. The soup can be made with a soy sauce, miso, and salt base, but it is the pork-based variant that has been the most popular in recent years. So, it is unfortunate for Muslims that they can very rarely eat ramen these days.
Is ramen healthy? ›
While instant ramen is not bad for you, it isn't recommended as a single food daily or multiple times per day on its own due to its high-sodium flavoring packet or broth. Adding additional toppings, such as protein and vegetables, to the wheat noodle and broth base can increase its nutrition profile.
What is the swirly thing in ramen? ›
Narutomaki: If you've ever noticed a small white disc with a pink swirl in a bowl of ramen or even a picture of ramen, that's narutomaki or fish cake.
Kikurage, wood ear mushroom, is a common topping on Japanese ramen. This is because it adds a chewy texture and absorbs the flavors of the ramen noodles and of the ramen broth. It is called wood ear mushroom because its shape resembles that of an ear.
Is udon Chinese or Japanese? ›
What is Udon/Soba? IUdon and soba are typical noodle dishes in Japan. Udon is made with flour and some salt. It is then kneaded and shaped like noodles.
What is the difference between Ramyeon and ramen? ›
The main difference between these two noodle dishes is that ramen is usually prepared fresh, while ramyeon is always a dried, instant dish. There are also differences in flavour, with ramyeon tending to be far spicier than ramen.
What are some fun facts about ramen? ›
10 Ramen Noodle Facts That You Will Never Forget...Especially Vegetarians
- The first instant ramen was considered a high-end food item. ...
- It's the most popular food item at Rikers prison. ...
- Only the "Oriental" and "Chili" flavors of Nissin Top Ramen are vegetarian. ...
- Some people like to eat ramen without even cooking it.
Ramen is one of the best-known and most popular Japanese foods around the world. There are four major types of Japanese ramen, decided by the tare, or base flavor: shio (salt-based ramen), shoyu (soy sauce-based ramen), miso (soybean paste-flavored ramen), and tonkotsu (pork bone broth ramen).
What is the summary of ramen? ›
Simply put, ramen is a Japanese noodle soup, with a combination of a rich flavoured broth, one of a variety of types of noodle and a selection of meats or vegetables, often topped with a boiled egg.
What's the difference between ramen and pho? ›
Pho noodles are clear, tender, and made with white rice flour. Ramen noodles are yellow, bouncy, and made with wheat flour. Pho has a clearer and lighter soup than ramen. Ramen is hearty and has a creamier and more complex broth.
