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Frequently found misunderstandings about Ramen

1. "All the instant noodles are Ramen."

Completely Wrong!

Although it is the fact that the firstly invented instant noodle was based on "Ramen", its followers include instant versions of various noodles frequently eaten in Asian countries. They are completely different from "Ramen." The differences lay in noodle's ingredients, cooking method, texture, and broth's ingredients, cookign methods. Also the topping variatiton is also differernt. In short, there is no similarity between those noodles and ramen except that they are noodles.

2. "Ramen is an instant food." False!

Since instant noodles in cups or plastic packages are well known all over the world, for many living outside of Japan, "Ramen" is synonymous with those instant (dried) noodles. But in Japan, Ramen is a bowl dish served at specialized shops at which they cook broth from scratch. In fact, Momofuku Ando, the former Chairman of Niisin Corp. invented instant noodle/ cup noodle trying to reproduce ramen being served at specialized shops at home with ease. Of course, instant ramens are very popular and consumed a lot in Japan. But there is a clear distinction between instant ramens and ramens at restaurants.

3. "Ramen is a kind of soup." NO!

Soup is an essential part of Ramen, though no one in Japan consider Ramen as a kind of soups. Since its noodle plays also an equally or more important role than soup and its volume is sufficient for dinner, ramen is a complete dish by itself.

4. "Ramen is Chinese food." Too short shighted!

Ramen is obviously originated in China as in some restaurants in Japan ramen is called "Chuuka-soba (meaning Chinese Noodle literally )" instead of ramen. It is said to have been brought in Japan around 100 years ago. In the last century, Ramen has been continuously reformed, progressed, developed to meet Japanese taste and furnished as Japanese national favorite. Since no equivalent noodle dish can be found in current China to Ramen in Japan, ramen should be recognized as Japanese food originated in China.

5. "Ramen is a general term for noodle dish in soup."""

Impossible!

In Japan, there are various kinds of noodle dishes in soups. They are completely different
from ramen, there is no reason for confusion.(See "Noodle Variation" >Click!)

6. "Cooking Ramen is easy.""Unbelivable!

Since the word "Ramen" reminds you of instant noodles, many seems to have thought mistakenly that cooking "Real" ramen is easy as well. This is a complete misunderstanding. It takes at the shortest several hours. Some shops take a day or longer just to prepare broth. Moreover, the temperature, moisture, and the conditions of ingredients will affect the taste and flavor, so close and unremitting attention is required to keep the stable serving. It is said that it requires years-long practical training to master be a ramen chef.

7. "Making noise when eating Ramen is an etiquette."

Funny! But, wrong!

You may get surprised to see everybody slurping ramen without hint of hesitation in ramen shops in Japan. Yes, Japanese do not mind making noise eating not only but also other kinds of noodles like soba and udon. I knew some explained slurping noodles is to express appreciation. This is funny but it's not true. Japanese love noodles so much that they just devote themselves in eating it and do not care making noise.

8. "Ramen shops in Tokyo have red signs." No way!

The guide book "Frommer's Tokyo 6th editon" says in its page 277 "they're(Ramen shops are ) easily recognizable by red signs, flashing lights, and quite often pictures of various dishes displayed right by the front door.," This description was quite shocking to know that guide book writers are this narrow sighted and do not know the country or city. No need to say, this description is nearly completely wrong. He or she must be trapped in prejudise of certain ramen shop chain. The truth is that there is no stereotype for ramen shop in terms of style.They vary from stand stool type to fancy urbans tyle.

9. "There is a PROPER way defined for eating Ramen like "Sado (Tea Ceremony)". That's fiction!

The movie "Tampopo" directed by Juzo Itami has been contributing a lot to spread the truth and charm of Ramen outside Japan, but it also has spread a misunderstanding about Ramen.
In the movie, the director Itami described the scene that a old-aged Ramen master gave a lecture how to eat Ramen. It must have given an impression that there is an PROPER way defined for eating Ramen like "Saso (Tea Ceremony)". But that's fiction! There is no suche a thing. So you will never find any in Japan who are following the way shown in the movie. If there is a way for eating Ramen recommendable, it is to concentrate on eating while eating Ramen. Ramen shop is not a place for enjoying chat!

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