Ramen

Ramen isn’t just food—it’s a warm hug in a bowl. With every bite, the rich broth and chewy

noodles take you on a delicious adventure.

Who doesn’t love ramen? It is like a burst of flavors having a party in your mouth. But why

does it taste so good? Well, broth is the heart of ramen and is packed with umami, the savory

taste that makes food extra flavorful. Ingredients like pork bones, chicken, dried fish, and

seaweed are simmered for hours to create a deep, rich taste.

Ramen noodles are made with kansui, an alkaline mineral water that gives them their

unique texture. This makes them firm but soft, limp but chewy and perfect for slurping! Many

ramen bowls include garlic oil, sesame oil, or pork fat, which add another layer of flavor.

Toppings like chashu pork, soft-boiled eggs, scallions, and bamboo shoots provide different

textures and tastes, making each bite exciting.

Next, the comfort factor. Ramen is warm, filling, and satisfying, making it the perfect

comfort food. Whether it’s a cold day or a late-night snack, ramen always hits the spot.

Now, what is the history of ramen? Well, ramen actually originated from China but Japan

transformed it into the dish we know today. Other than that, instant ramen was invented in 1958

by Momofuku Ando, and Cup Noodles followed in 1971, making ramen a global convenience

food.

Did you know that Japan has 19 official regional ramen styles? Some of the more famous

ones are: 1) Tonkotsu Ramen 2) Shoyu Ramen 3) Miso Ramen. Another fun fact is that Japan

has over 35,000 ramen restaurants and the longest ramen noodle ever made was over 10,000

feet long!

Ramen is actually a common theme in pop culture like anime or video games! For example,

like the anime movie, “Tampopo” which is all about making the perfect bowl of ramen. There are

even some ramen themed festivals and museums in Japan!

There are also even ramen burgers where the “bun” is made of fried ramen noodles. Some

ramen shops also sell chocolate- flavored ramen. Isn’t that unique?

Ramen is more than just a meal—it’s an experience full of warmth, flavor, and fun.

Whether you love it simple or packed with toppings, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a good bowl

of ramen. So, what’s your favorite ramen topping?

Natalie Lim

1 Diligence

2025