Ramen noodles are a Japanese wheat noodle dish served in a meat-based broth. The dish originated in China and became popular in Japan in the 20th century. Sapporo is famous for its ramen noodles, which can be made with various broths and toppings. Instant noodles are a far cry from the original dish, and traditional ramen can be made at home with fresh noodles and a high-quality broth.
Ramen noodles are Japanese wheat noodles served in a rich broth that is usually meat based. In Japan, ramen is commonly available in a variety of establishments, ranging from small noodle stands to larger restaurants. Outside of Japan, consumers are often more familiar with the Ramen brand of instant noodles, developed by Momofuku Ando in 1958 for Nissin Foods.
The origins of traditional ramen noodles appear to be in China, a nation with a long tradition of noodle making. As early as the 17th century, the Japanese ate “boiled noodles,” but ramen really took off in the 20th century, after trade from Japan opened up to the West. One of the main early imports into Japan was wheat, a grain that was previously quite scarce, and its ready availability made noodles produced from it a ubiquitous sight in Japan.
Sapporo, in Hokkaido Prefecture, is probably most famous for its ramen noodles. They start with a broth, which is ideally made from scratch, and all ingredients like miso, beef broth, and vegetable broth can be used. The broth is heated and fresh wheat noodles are added for cooking. When the noodles are served, they are often dressed with ingredients like shredded vegetables, meats, and hard-boiled eggs, creating a hearty and nutritious meal.
This traditional noodle soup can feature a variety of ingredients, depending on the region of Japan, and some cooks become masters of the art of noodle making, turning ramen noodles into a gourmet dish. With the development of instant noodles in 1958, the concept spread to the world at large, although these packaged noodles are a far cry from the original ramen.
Cooks who want to make traditional ramen at home will need a high-quality broth and some fresh wheat noodles. Many Chinese markets sell fresh noodles, and consumers can also find them in the Asian food section of regular supermarkets, if the store offers ethnic foods. The dish is prepared as detailed above, and cooks must remember to cut the garnishes thinly so they cook into the broth, or use larger pre-cooked garnishes. Some garnish ideas include sliced cooked meats, green onions, carrots, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and leafy greens. The dish can be made tastier with a dash of soy sauce.
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