Shio Ramen Recipe: How to Make Homemade Shio Ramen
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Shio ramen is a Japanese noodle dish that you can easily make at home.
Learn From the Best
What Is Shio Ramen?
Shio ramen is ramen noodle soup that has been seasoned primarily with salt, or shio in Japanese. Japanese ramen starts with a soup base made from chicken or pork bones, seafood, or dashi; the tare (flavoring agent) is typically added later so that one stock can yield multiple flavors. This also allows the chefs at ramen shops to control the seasoning for each bowl of ramen. To make shio ramen, shio tare is added to the ramen broth—typically a chintan (clear) broth. Hakodate, on the island of Hokkaido in Japan, is considered the birthplace of shio ramen.
Shio Ramen Variations
Types of shio ramen include hakodate ramen, which is traditionally made with pork bones and/or chicken bones and flavored with kombu (kelp) and scallops for an umami flavor. Another variation is tanmen ramen from Yokohama in the Kanto region where Tokyo is located. Tanmen ramen is made with chicken broth and topped with stir-fried vegetables such as bean sprouts, leeks, and cabbage.
Shio Ramen vs. Shoyu Ramen: What’s the Difference?
Shio (salt) and shoyu (soy sauce) are both common ramen broth seasonings that add saltiness to the ramen noodle soup. Ramen broth seasoned with shio will have a mild flavor compared to ramen with shoyu, which adds a more complex, umami flavor to the broth.
Classic Shio Ramen Recipe
makes
prep time
20 mintotal time
35 mincook time
15 minIngredients
For the shio tare:
To assemble:
- 1
Make the shio tare. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water with salt.
- 2
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and stir to dissolve.
- 3
Add the mirin and kombu, remove from the heat, and cover.
- 4
Let steep for 5 minutes.
- 5
Remove the kombu and return the mixture to the heat.
- 6
Add the katsuobushi and bring it to a simmer.
- 7
Remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 3 minutes.
- 8
Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain out the liquid and set it aside.
- 9
Bring a large pot of unsalted water to a boil.
- 10
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine chicken broth and dashi stock and bring to a low simmer.
- 11
Cook the ramen noodles in boiling water according to package directions.
- 12
While ramen noodles cook, add the tare to the simmering chicken broth and dashi stock.
- 13
Place one teaspoon of chicken fat at the bottom of each bowl.
- 14
When the ramen noodles are fully cooked, drain and divide the noodles over the two bowls.
- 15
Ladle the soup base over the noodles.
- 16
Add the ramen toppings. Top each bowl of ramen with two slices of chashu and one piece of menma. Place a nori sheet in between an egg half and the side of the bowl, and finish the dish with a handful of sliced scallions.
Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by culinary masters, including Niki Nakayama, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, Alice Waters, and more.
Food
Wine 101: What Is Barrel Aging? Understanding the Barrel Aging Process in Winemaking and the Difference Between Steel and Oak Barrels
Sep 2, 2022
Food
Simple Syrup Recipe: How to Make Simple Syrup for Cocktails
Sep 6, 2026
Food
Almond Meal vs. Almond Flour: What’s the Difference?
Sep 7, 2021
Food
What Is DOC and DOCG Wine? Differences Between DOC, DOCG, IGT, and VdT on Italian Wine Labels
Aug 10, 2021
Food
How to Cut Shiitake Mushrooms
Mar 25, 2022
Food
How to Sharpen a Serrated Knife: Method and Tips
Jan 4, 2022
Other articles
Claude Debussy: A Guide to Claude Debussy’s Life and Music
Jun 25, 2021
How to Play Basketball: Explore the Basics of Basketball
Jun 7, 2021
How to Write a Horror Story in 7 Steps
Dec 8, 2021
Daniel Pink’s ABC’s of Selling: Inside the 3 Key Sales Qualities
Dec 10, 2021
Heavy Metal Music Guide: A Dive Into Heavy Metal Music
Jul 15, 2021
Learn the Difference Between Phrases and Clauses
Aug 11, 2021