Ramen
Papers – Fabriano, Optix, cartridge
Framed size 508 x 508 mm
 
What is it?
Ramen means "pulled noodles" and is a noodle soup dish originally imported from China which has become one of the most popular dishes in Japan. Ramen are cheap and available everywhere. Nearly every region in Japan has its own variation of ramen, typically categorized according to their soup base.
Ramen noodles are made of wheat and are typically long and elastic, but they can vary from thin and straight to thick and wavy. Originating in Mongolia, they were made from a naturally mineralised water called kansui. The other main ingredient in ramen is the broth, generally made from chicken, fish, or pork stock, with seaweed, dried fish, and onions.
Origins
Around the beginning of the 1900s Chinese people living in Japan had portable food stalls selling ramen and gyōza dumplings to workers. The first specialized ramen shop opened in Yokohama in 1910.
After Japan's defeat in World War II, the US flooded the Japanese market with cheap wheat flour to deal with food shortages. They promoted the nutritional benefits of wheat which increased its popularity and helped propel the popularity of ramen.
In 1958, instant noodles were invented by Nissin Foods.
In the 1980s, ramen became a Japanese cultural icon and was studied around the world from many perspectives.
Types
Broth
Karē  - (curry),  Shoyu – (Soy Sauce),  Shio – (Salt),   Miso – (Soybean Paste) Tonkotsu – (Pork Bone)
Toppings
Chashu – (pork),  Menma – (bamboo shoots),  Negi – (leeks),  Moyashi – (bean sprouts),  Tamago – (egg),  Seaweed,  Kamaboko – (steamed fish cake), Corn, Butter 


Fun Facts

• Tsuta, a ramen restaurant in Tokyo received a Michelin star in December 2015.
• Ramen are eaten with chopsticks and a Chinese style spoon, and you are expected to slurp the noodles which enhances the flavours, and drink from the bowl.
• There are ramen museums in Japan telling the history of ramen and the different types. There is also an Instant Noodle museum where you can design your own cup noodles or make your own ramen noodles.