WASHINGTON — Ramen in the United States has exploded in popularity by more than 70% in the last 24 years, according to a deep dive examination the Associated Press made into the international craze. Americans cannot get enough ramen.
In Japan, ramen’s history can be traced back to 1884. Countless varieties have blossomed since then, transforming what was once a simple yet nourishing meal into an entire food genre.
Ramen has long since transcended borders. Even as early as the early 1980s, instant-ramen versions could be found in lunch boxes globally. It was not until recently, however, that the world outside Japan began to experience a more authentically Japanese ramen — a much more complex dish ranked in top culinary stature by chefs globally.
Studying the Ramen Craze
From April 2023 to April 2024, Americans consumed $1.6 billion worth of ramen.
Yes, billion, with a “b.”
Consumers in Japan and the U.S. are not the only ones who love ramen; interest in the dish transcends nearly every border. Slowly but surely, the world is experiencing ramen as far more than just a crinkly bag of noodles.
In Japan, ramen is a versatile, shapeshifting dish. Multiple Japanese prefectures seek to claim the “best ramen” award with their iterations — Hokkaido’s classic ramen, quintessential Sapporo-style miso ramen, and comforting Shoyu Ramen.
Beloved soy sauce-flavored shoyu ramen might be closest to what fuels ramen madness: a large bowl of steaming comfort food delicately layered with alternating flavors and fresh ingredients.
While American ramen lovers often link the soul-satisfying soup to nostalgia, simplicity, and comfort, traditional preparation is anything but simple. Japan takes its ramen very seriously, between secret broth recipes, heavily guarded pork belly and brisket braising methods, and clandestine agreements for noodle proprietorship.
It’s All About the Broth
Ramen’s customizability and ability to transcend class demographics and borders make it even more enjoyable. Several ramen restaurants hold Michelin stars in Tokyo, a city long regarded as the holy grail of noodles. But hungry visitors can also enjoy steamy bowls of delicious ramen at the city’s inexpensive food stalls. Chefs often spend hours preparing elaborate stocks and concoctions using everything from pork, beef, chicken, bonito flakes, oysters, and kelp.
Street-stall versions are often less meticulous, but patrons still rave about the product. One of the most popular versions of Japanese ramen is not even a soup but dipped in broth like a kind of fondue. For “ tsukemen ramen ” or “dipping ramen,” patrons receive cold noodles and accompaniments alongside steaming hot broth, dunking everything into the umami liquid before slurping it all up.
Another version of ramen is a deconstructed dish, where the customer is provided with stacks of ingredients to create a steaming, personalized culinary masterpiece.
So, what are the roots of this delicate noodle? Ramen is not uniquely Japanese; it originated in China. The dish we know today differs so much from its ancient roots that it’s forging an entirely new category, one linked to the Chinatowns of the late 19th century.
Even the word ramen originated from the Chinese word for “pulled noodles.” Although the first reference to ramen-like noodles occurred during the late 1400s, it was not until the late 1600s that Japanese connections to the ubiquitous dish fostered the noodle craze of today.
Ready for a Ramen Tour?
In an Associated Press report by Yuri Kageyama, Frank Striegl of Tokyo Ramen Tours guides tourists to the most popular or historic of Tokyo’s ramen shops. He told Kageyama consumers’ appetite for the beloved noodle dish is still climbing.
“I’m probably a talking bowl of ramen,” Striegl commented as he led a tour group through the Shibuya boroughs of Tokyo on what the Filipino American, who grew up in Tokyo, markets as “the ultimate ramen experience.”
Whether on a tour or exploring on your own, there is plenty to taste and love.
At Tokyo’s tiny ramen food stalls, proprietors lovingly assemble several versions of ramen right before your eyes: salty miso soy-based interactions or red-hot spicy chili dishes. Protein, vegetables, and toppings all vary, too. The price for this appetite-smashing, lip-smacking creation is just around 1,000 yen, or $6.50.
This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
–Reese Lee
Wealth of Geeks
The post How Japan’s Humble Ramen Dish Conquered the Food World appeared first on Morning Ag Clips.