Flavorful broth, tasty noodles, and plentiful toppings make this Japanese soup an international favorite. What’s in your bowl?

The Broth

The biggest source of flavor in every bowl, ramen broth typically has a base of either shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce), miso (fermented soybean paste), or tonkotsu (pork).

The Noodles

While some ramen spots will have you pick, it’s often up to the chef to pair the ideal noodle with each broth on the menu.

The Toppings

No ramen bowl is complete without toppings. You might be surprised by which are your favorites! Here are a few of the most popular:

The Experience

Ready to enjoy a bowl like a seasoned pro? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Dive right in. Ramen is traditionally best when finished within 5-10 minutes—any longer, and the noodles can become starchy. Start by sipping the broth with your spoon so you can savor its flavor, then grab your chopsticks and get ready for action.

Play it safe. Noodles like spaghetti may lend themselves well to ambitious forkfuls, but when you reach for the ramen with a pair of chopsticks, take a little less than you think you can handle—it’ll make the next step easier.

Lift and dip. Lifting your noodles into the air helps them separate from the ones in the bowl and makes each mouthful more manageable. Dip them back into the broth to capture a little more flavor, and finally…

Slurp with pride. Slurping your noodles is a valid technique, and one that many consider integral to the ramen experience—so don’t be shy! You can even finish off your bowl of broth by lifting it with both hands and drinking it down.

Find ramen near you

Now that you know your miso from your tonkotsu, check out where you can find ramen nearby and earn rewards back on your next bowl!