Ramen: A Complete Guide to the World's Most Popular Ramen and Its Basic Styles

"I want to know why ramen is loved all over the world!"

"Can ramen, which has evolved in Japan, be accepted worldwide?"

"I want to know more about Japanese ramen!"

Recently, various Japanese foods have been gaining attention around the world, and one of the foods that has been gaining attention is ramen, which has evolved in Japan.

Japanese ramen is now said to have great potential as a franchise business, and it is not uncommon for companies to try to fully incorporate it into overseas businesses.

So, in this article, I would like to explain various aspects of ramen, including why Japanese ramen is so popular around the world, as well as the styles and elements of ramen.

It is very important to know each aspect when running a Japanese ramen business, so if you are considering entering the ramen business, please refer to the contents of this page.

Three reasons why ramen is so popular around the world

Now let's take a look at why Japanese ramen is loved and supported around the world.

I will give you three specific reasons, so please take a look at each item.

Price range x satisfaction

First of all, one of the reasons why Japanese ramen is loved all over the world is that it is both affordable and highly satisfying.

Generally, when it comes to eating out, people tend to think that "cheap means simple food, and expensive means high satisfaction," but ramen is a dish that overturns this common sense.

With satisfying noodles, a richly flavored soup, and a variety of toppings such as roast pork, boiled eggs, and vegetables, just one bowl will satisfy your appetite and leave you feeling satisfied at the same time.

Moreover, ramen is often priced more reasonably than restaurants or cafes, making it popular with a wide range of people, including students, business people, and tourists both in Japan and overseas.

Especially in overseas cities where the cost of eating out is skyrocketing, ramen is a "cheap, delicious, and filling dish" that offers overwhelmingly better cost performance than other menu items.

This "high level of satisfaction for the price" is one of the main reasons why ramen has become so popular all over the world.

Turnover rate

Another reason why ramen is loved worldwide is that it can be enjoyed in a short amount of time (high turnover rate).

In modern society, time efficiency is emphasized, and especially in urban areas, the key is "how quickly and deliciously you can eat."

In this regard, ramen has a systematized cooking process, and the time from ordering to serving is very short.

For customers, the convenience of being able to eat without waiting, even during lunch time or between work, is appealing, and for restaurants, a high turnover rate allows for stable business operations.

Another advantage is that fast turnover means we can maintain profits even if we keep the average customer price low, which means we can continue to offer reasonable prices.

Ramen restaurants that have expanded overseas are gaining popularity because they meet the demand for "feeling full and satisfied in a short amount of time"!

Ramen, which combines this sense of speed and efficiency, is a major factor in its popularity around the world in business terms as well.

Customizability

Finally, let's touch on one of the great attractions of ramen: the freedom to customize it.

As some of you may know, ramen can be freely adapted to suit the eater's preferences, with adjustments to the thickness and hardness of the noodles, the thickness of the soup, the amount of oil, and the spiciness, as well as the addition of unique toppings such as pork fillets, bamboo shoots, vegetables, and even butter and cheese.

This flexibility is a strength that allows us to easily adapt to the food cultures and lifestyles of countries around the world.

For example, vegan plant-based soups and gluten-free noodles have appeared in the United States and Europe, while in Southeast Asia, bowls of soup made with local spices and herbs are gaining popularity.

In other words, ramen is a dish that can evolve to suit the eating habits of each region while still maintaining its basic style.

This "diversity that respects the tastes of each individual" is one of the main reasons why ramen is accepted internationally.

Whether you are running your own ramen business or entering the ramen business as a franchise, the flexibility to adapt to different food cultures and lifestyles is a huge advantage.

Elements that make up ramen

From here, we will explain the elements that make up ramen.

We will touch on various elements such as soup, sauce, flavored oil, noodles, and toppings, so please take a look at each section.

soup

First, let's talk about the soup, which is the heart of ramen.

The layers of umami that are created by simmering various ingredients such as pork bones, chicken bones, seafood, and vegetables for a long time reflect Japan's unique "dashi culture."

The soup determines the direction of the ramen, and can range from rich and thick to light and clear.

One of the reasons why ramen is loved all over the world is the depth of its diverse soups.

Conversely, the ramen soup will determine whether it will be loved in a particular country or region, so it is important to have a clear concept when developing your business.

sauce

Next, let's talk about the sauce, which is the key to determining the flavor of ramen.

Sauces, such as soy sauce, miso, salt, and recently popular seafood and original blends, are an important element in giving individuality to the soup base.

Even if the chicken broth is the same, changing the sauce will result in ramen with a completely different impression.

The secret sauces that each store has developed through extensive research create brand power and give customers a "special feeling that can only be experienced here."

If you are unsure about these sauce elements, we recommend learning about recipes and ingredients through franchises and recreating a flavor that suits the country in which you are selling your ramen.

flavored oil

The flavored oil added at the end also has a major impact on the first impression of the ramen.

Just a drop of burnt garlic oil, green onion oil, or chicken oil will release a fragrance that will stimulate your appetite.

Furthermore, the flavored oils add richness and depth to the soup, ensuring that you won't get bored of it until the last sip.

The attention to detail in the flavored oils is one of the reasons why ramen is acclaimed as a flavorful dish around the world.

Studying ramen without neglecting this flavor oil is what makes it so loved by so many repeat customers and highly satisfying.

noodles

And it is the noodles that provide the texture and satisfaction of ramen.

The main ingredient is wheat flour, and depending on the water content and maturation, a wide variety of noodles can be created, from chewy thick noodles to crisp thin noodles.

Preferences for "firmness" and "curliness" vary depending on the region, and even with the same soup, different noodles can give a completely different impression.

The evolution of noodles is directly linked to the development of Japanese ramen culture, and its depth continues to attract fans around the world.

When expanding your ramen business overseas, remember that the choice of noodles is an important factor that cannot be overlooked.

topping

Let's talk about the final element that adds color to ramen: toppings.

In addition to the standard toppings such as roasted pork fillet, boiled eggs, seaweed, and bamboo shoots, there are also a wide variety of regional variations such as butter, corn, and stir-fried vegetables.

Toppings not only look gorgeous, but also add texture and flavor, playing an important role in enhancing the perfection of the bowl.

This high degree of freedom is one of the reasons why ramen is gaining popularity around the world as a dish that can be enjoyed to your liking.

It would be a good idea to offer toppings that contribute to various factors such as increasing customer satisfaction and unit price, and to develop them according to the country and region.

8 Basic Styles of Ramen

From here, we will explain 8 basic styles of ramen.

We will delve into the characteristics of various ramen styles, so be sure to check out each item to see how you can apply it to your business.

soy sauce

First, let's talk about soy sauce ramen, which can be said to be the origin of Japanese ramen.

This style, which developed mainly in Tokyo, is based on a soup made from chicken bones, pork bones, seafood, etc., combined with soy sauce.

The soup is clear, but the aroma of soy sauce and just the right amount of saltiness give it a deep flavor.

It is light yet rich in flavor, making it popular with a wide range of generations, regardless of age or gender.

Additionally, the flavor changes depending on the type of soy sauce and the degree of aging, so each store has its own distinct personality.

Its simple, timeless flavor has earned it a place in Japan and around the world as the "most approachable ramen."

Soy sauce is a classic yet profound style, making it a style that is well suited to overseas expansion through franchising.

salt

Next, let's talk about shio ramen, a style that is highly regarded for bringing out the delicate flavor of the ingredients to the fullest.

Shio ramen is characterized by its clear, golden-colored soup, which is based on chicken bones, seafood, and vegetable stock, and is seasoned with a salt sauce.

It has less fat than other ramen and has a light taste, but its appeal is that it still has a deep, rich flavor.

The clear soup is visually appealing and light to eat, making it popular with women and health-conscious people.

Another key point is that salt goes well with any ingredient, so the impression can be greatly changed depending on the toppings and flavored oils used.

Simple yet rich, shio ramen is an essential part of Japanese ramen culture, and is a style that is ideal for expanding overseas.

miso

We will also talk about miso ramen, which originated in Sapporo, Hokkaido.

Miso ramen has evolved as a dish to warm the body in cold regions.

The distinctive feature of this ramen is the strong flavor that comes from the rich miso sauce dissolved in the soup.

Adding stir-fried vegetables and minced meat will enhance the aroma and sweetness, and also enhance the sense of unity with the noodles!

The rich soup is a source of energy that will blow away the cold, and this style is popular overseas as a "satisfying Japanese ramen."

Miso ramen has also evolved over time, and can now be expressed in a wide range of flavors, from sweet to spicy, depending on the type of miso and blend, and the addition of butter or corn brings out the unique Hokkaido character.

Rich and punchy miso ramen is a true symbol of the diversity of ramen.

Pork bone

"Tonkotsu ramen," a ramen style that represents Kyushu and Hakata, is a ramen style that exudes a strong individuality.

The cloudy soup is created by simmering pork bones for a long time, resulting in a rich yet creamy texture.

Once you try the powerful flavor and aroma, you'll never forget it, and it has been gaining support from fans overseas who say, "I want to experience the authentic taste."

Its distinctive feature is the extremely thin, straight noodles, which mix well with the soup, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavor. The culture of ordering extra noodles after finishing one's meal is also a unique feature of tonkotsu ramen.

You can also enjoy different flavors by adding toppings such as pickled ginger, mustard greens, and garlic, so one bowl is packed with a variety of experiences, which is another reason for its popularity.

Its strong originality and high level of adaptability are also appealing, and tonkotsu ramen has now become an indispensable part of the global ramen scene.

Chicken white soup

A relatively new style that is gaining attention is "chicken white soup ramen."

The soup is made by simmering chicken bones and whole chickens for a long time, and is cloudy and creamy, yet has a more refined and mellow flavor than pork bone soup.

The soup is packed with the delicious flavor of chicken and has a good balance that is enjoyable for both those who like light and heavy dishes.

Adding chicken oil gives it a fragrant and rich flavor, and it goes great with vegetables and seafood.

Chicken white soup is popular among women and health-conscious people, and is rapidly spreading both domestically and internationally.

Although it is a relatively new genre, chicken white soup is a style that has the potential to become increasingly popular around the world in the future!

Seafood

Seafood ramen is a style that strongly reflects the "dashi culture" that is deeply rooted in Japanese food culture.

The soup is characterized by its strong Japanese flavor, made with ingredients such as bonito flakes, dried sardines, kelp, and shellfish.

It can be served alone with seafood as the main ingredient, or combined with an animal-based soup to create a "double soup," creating a rich and deep flavor.

The unique aroma and flavor of seafood is familiar to Japanese people, and is highly regarded overseas as a "quintessentially Japanese taste."

It can be expressed in a wide range of ways, from a light and elegant taste to a rich and punchy soup, and can be said to be a genre that symbolizes the depth of ramen.

However, while the unique flavor impresses fans, it can also be a fad for some, so if you are developing it as a business, it would be a good idea to consider incorporating seafood, keeping in mind the country or region.

Tsukemen

Let's also take a look at "tsukemen," a style that has been established as a new way of eating ramen.

Tsukemen is served with the noodles and soup served separately, and you can enjoy its rich flavor by dipping the noodles in the soup just before eating.

The noodles are thicker and chewier than regular ramen, making it extremely satisfying to eat.

The soup is typically rich in flavor, such as seafood and pork bone, and soaking the noodles in it creates a balanced harmonious flavor.

Another unique feature is the culture of enjoying the soup after finishing your meal, which means you can enjoy it all the way to the end without getting bored.

Due to its volume and high level of satisfaction, it has become popular among young people and big eaters, and is now becoming popular overseas as well.

Tsukemen is a style that symbolizes the evolution of ramen, and if it is considered for expansion overseas, it will likely be accepted as a novel style in many countries and regions.

Mazesoba (Abura soba)

Finally, let's talk about "mazesoba (abura soba)," which is made without soup, but with sauce and oil.

Mazesoba (abura soba) is acclaimed as a unique style that shows the versatility of ramen.

The distinctive feature of this dish is that sauce, flavored oil, and toppings are placed on top of the noodles and then mixed well before eating!

You can directly enjoy the rich flavor and the changes that occur as ingredients are combined.

You can also customize it to your liking by adding egg yolks, cheese, garlic, spices, etc.

Mazesoba (abura soba) has no soup, so it is easy to eat and very satisfying, making it popular with people who want to finish their meal in a short amount of time.

It has spread not only in Japan but also overseas as a "dry-style ramen," demonstrating new possibilities for ramen.

This style is expected to have great potential for franchising overseas, so it can be said that this ramen style has the potential to spread to various countries and regions in the future.

[Supplementary information] Estimated number of ramen shops offering basic styles

As a supplement, we have compiled a summary of the ratios and approximate number of stores in Japan for the basic styles of ramen.

■ Soy sauce ramen...25% to 30% (approximately 6,000 to 7,200 stores)

■ Tonkotsu ramen...20% to 25% (approximately 4,800 to 6,000 stores)

■ Miso ramen...15% to 20% (approximately 3,600 to 4,800 stores)

■ Salt ramen...8% to 15% (approximately 1,920 to 3,600 stores)

■ Tsukemen...several percent to 10% (approximately 480 to 2,400 stores)

■ Chicken white soup...less than a few percent to 5% (approximately 240 to 1,200 stores)

■ Seafood: Less than a few percent to 5% (approximately 240 to 1,200 restaurants)

■Mazesoba (Abura soba)...less than a few percent to 5% (approximately 240 to 1,200 stores)

Of course, the ratio and number of stores change from year to year, but basically soy sauce, pork bone, miso, and salt make up the majority of the choices.

If you are expanding your franchise overseas, it may be a good idea to consider which style to go for, taking into account factors such as popularity and the number of stores.

The reasons for popularity and basic style are important for franchise success

This time, we have delved into the reasons for the popularity of ramen, which has evolved in Japan and is loved around the world, and its flavor style.

Due to its many advantages, Japanese ramen is ideal for overseas franchises and offers great business opportunities.

However, there are several barriers to franchising, and many people find it difficult to put it into practice or are hesitant to do so.

In such cases, we can support the development of a master franchise, so if you have any concerns about ramen master franchises overseas, please feel free to contact us.

With a proven track record and extensive experience in not only Japanese food but also ramen franchises, we will support you in growing and stabilizing your business.

Ramen has evolved in Japan and has great potential, making it ideal for franchising. Please feel free to contact us to seize this business opportunity.