Learn how to make Japanese ramen at home. 

Japanese Ramen Recipe: How to Make Easy Homemade Ramen

Ramen are thin, yellow noodles made from wheat and typically served in a flavorful hot broth. *Kansui* (alkaline water) gives ramen noodles their unique, springy texture and yellow color. Ramen originated in China, but it became very popular in Japan, particularly after World War II, when Ramen’s popularity rose above other Japanese noodles such as [soba](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-soba-noodles) and [udon](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-udon-noodles).
From Tokyo to New York City, chefs at ramen shops use a variety of soup bases and noodle styles to make this comfort food staple. 

1. __*Shoyu* ramen__: *Shoyu* ramen is served in a soup base, typically chicken broth, flavored with soy sauce. It is the most common type of ramen in Japan.
2. __*Miso* ramen__: Miso ramen is served in a broth such as chicken stock and [seasoned with miso](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-miso-easy-miso-broth-recipe-with-chef-gordon-ramsay) (fermented soybean) paste. 
3. __*Tonkotsu* ramen__: This type of ramen is served in a fatty, golden pork bone broth. 
4. __Instant ramen__: Instant ramen consists of dried noodles and a flavoring packet that can be rehydrated with boiling water. This pantry item was invented in Japan in 1958 and can be found in grocery stores around the world.
5. __*Ramyeon* ramen__: This Korean instant ramen often features the spicy flavors of [kimchi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-kimchi-easy-recipe-and-tips) and/or gochujang (fermented red pepper paste).
A bowl of ramen is made complete with toppings. Some favorites include:

1. __Chashu__: Fatty pork belly or loin simmered in soy sauce and *[mirin](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-japanese-sweet-rice-wine)* (rice wine) until tender.
2. __Green onions__: Thinly slice green onions, also known as scallions.
3. __Soft-boiled eggs__: Hard boil eggs, marinate them in soy sauce, and sliced each one in half.
4. __Bean sprouts__: Blanch or stir-fry this crunchy vegetable before adding to the ramen broth.
5. __Sesame seeds__: For a nutty flavor, add sesame seeds or sesame oil. 
6. __Shiitake mushrooms__: To achieve an umami flavor to ramen soup, add [shiitake mushrooms](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-shiitake-mushrooms-in-your-everyday-cooking). (Dried shiitakes can also be used as part of a [dashi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained) soup base.)
7. __Bok choy__: Quarter this leafy cabbage before adding it to the ramen broth.
8. __Nori__: Add thin sheets of [dried seaweed](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed) to the ramen.
If you're making Japanese ramen for the first time, consider these tips:

1. __The best ramen starts with high-quality ingredients__. If you have the time, using [homemade chicken stock](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-make-chicken-stock-with-chef-thomas-kellers-chicken-stock-recipe) and fresh ramen noodles will yield a more delicious soup.
2. __Prep toppings ahead of time__. Ramen noodles cook quickly. To avoid soggy noodles, make sure your soup base and toppings are ready before you start cooking the noodles.
3. __Don't salt the ramen cooking water__. Although ramen noodles cook similarly to pasta, you don't need to salt the cooking water since the noodles already contain salt.
4. __Add umami__. Satisfying ramen broths are packed with umami from savory meat, miso paste, mushrooms, and/or MSG. If your ramen tastes bland, try adding an umami ingredient.
Learn how to make Japanese ramen at home. 

Ramen are thin, yellow noodles made from wheat and typically served in a flavorful hot broth. Kansui (alkaline water) gives ramen noodles their unique, springy texture and yellow color. Ramen originated in China, but it became very popular in Japan, particularly after World War II, when Ramen’s popularity rose above other Japanese noodles such as <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-soba-noodles' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-soba-noodles","linkCopy":"soba","category":null}'>soba</a> and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-udon-noodles' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-udon-noodles","linkCopy":"udon","category":null}'>udon</a>.

What Is Ramen?

From Tokyo to New York City, chefs at ramen shops use a variety of soup bases and noodle styles to make this comfort food staple. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Shoyu ramen: Shoyu ramen is served in a soup base, typically chicken broth, flavored with soy sauce. It is the most common type of ramen in Japan. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Miso ramen: Miso ramen is served in a broth such as chicken stock and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-miso-easy-miso-broth-recipe-with-chef-gordon-ramsay' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-miso-easy-miso-broth-recipe-with-chef-gordon-ramsay","linkCopy":"seasoned with miso","category":null}'>seasoned with miso</a> (fermented soybean) paste. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Tonkotsu ramen: This type of ramen is served in a fatty, golden pork bone broth. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Instant ramen: Instant ramen consists of dried noodles and a flavoring packet that can be rehydrated with boiling water. This pantry item was invented in Japan in 1958 and can be found in grocery stores around the world. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Ramyeon ramen: This Korean instant ramen often features the spicy flavors of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-kimchi-easy-recipe-and-tips' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-kimchi-easy-recipe-and-tips","linkCopy":"kimchi","category":null}'>kimchi</a> and/or gochujang (fermented red pepper paste). </li></ol>

5 Types of Ramen

A bowl of ramen is made complete with toppings. Some favorites include:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Chashu: Fatty pork belly or loin simmered in soy sauce and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-japanese-sweet-rice-wine' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-japanese-sweet-rice-wine","linkCopy":"mirin","category":null}'>mirin</a> (rice wine) until tender. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Green onions: Thinly slice green onions, also known as scallions. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Soft-boiled eggs: Hard boil eggs, marinate them in soy sauce, and sliced each one in half. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Bean sprouts: Blanch or stir-fry this crunchy vegetable before adding to the ramen broth. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Sesame seeds: For a nutty flavor, add sesame seeds or sesame oil. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Shiitake mushrooms: To achieve an umami flavor to ramen soup, add <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-shiitake-mushrooms-in-your-everyday-cooking' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-shiitake-mushrooms-in-your-everyday-cooking","linkCopy":"shiitake mushrooms","category":null}'>shiitake mushrooms</a>. (Dried shiitakes can also be used as part of a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dashi-explained","linkCopy":"dashi","category":null}'>dashi</a> soup base.) </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 7. Bok choy: Quarter this leafy cabbage before adding it to the ramen broth. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 8. Nori: Add thin sheets of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-edible-seaweed","linkCopy":"dried seaweed","category":null}'>dried seaweed</a> to the ramen. </li></ol>

8 Classic Ramen Toppings

If you&#39;re making Japanese ramen for the first time, consider these tips:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. The best ramen starts with high-quality ingredients. If you have the time, using <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-make-chicken-stock-with-chef-thomas-kellers-chicken-stock-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-make-chicken-stock-with-chef-thomas-kellers-chicken-stock-recipe","linkCopy":"homemade chicken stock","category":null}'>homemade chicken stock</a> and fresh ramen noodles will yield a more delicious soup. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Prep toppings ahead of time. Ramen noodles cook quickly. To avoid soggy noodles, make sure your soup base and toppings are ready before you start cooking the noodles. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Don&#39;t salt the ramen cooking water. Although ramen noodles cook similarly to pasta, you don&#39;t need to salt the cooking water since the noodles already contain salt. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Add umami. Satisfying ramen broths are packed with umami from savory meat, miso paste, mushrooms, and/or MSG. If your ramen tastes bland, try adding an umami ingredient. </li></ol>