# Ramen restaurants in Japan, what is the deal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 12, 2015, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628 "2015-01-12T15:59:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/81 "2015-01-15T12:00:48Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > I’m not sure why there are only two binary responses to something getting more popular: It sucked and used to be better when it was underground, or “It’s ONLY better now that more people can enjoy something, there are NO downsides to something increasing in popularity!” There is a middleground I have fallen into many times, where something I liked that was obscure became more popular, and it was cool to have more people into it, but that thing also lost something and got watered down to become more mainstream, and thus was less interesting to me. It seems like noobs to something always INSIST that more people=better without ANY shortcomings (which is paradoxical, because if you are a noob, how would you know?) > > Also I don’t think Chang was being a “douche” in that article, if you read the last line: > > David Chang invented Korean/Ramen burritos which bombed hard, so he was being self-deprecating. Hard to be a “douche” when you’re making fun of yourself IMO. He never did a Ramen burrito, he did korean burritos. I think he was more making fun of the Ramen burger types. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/82 "2015-01-15T12:07:19Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > He is saying that ramen wasnt trendy back in 2004. That he had to go onto CraigsList to hire Japanese speakers to translate ramen recipes because there werent any around in English. He is also saying that Instagram and FB have made the foodie world more homogenous. Thus there arent isolated cells of chefs slowly developing their unique cuisine. > > Its the old argument that the internet has made the world smaller but also more the same. He misses the uniqueness of regional ramen. 2004 was probably close to the height of Ramen trendiness in Japan. I also don’t agree that there aren’t pockets of chefs developing their own cuisine. That’s just absurd. In general, I think it’s ridiculous when people say “\_\_\_\_ is dead. It’s all been done!” or “The Internet has ruined everything!” Otherwise, I’m not sure how this post of yours supports the first one you made. ---
**Author:** ![Airk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Airk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airk)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/83 "2015-01-15T14:52:24Z")
> [@grude](#): > > When I say I have seen it I meant in Japanese movies/documentary footage/anime 🙂 > > That was what had me curious in the first place, I’d love to try one given the chance. Aha! Well, sounds like next time you hit a major US Metro Area, you should ask around for where the good ramen shops are. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/84 "2015-01-15T19:19:53Z")
Well, I’m off to Ramen Taka in about ten minutes thanks to this thread. Think I’ll get their tonkotsu broth with extra chashu and green onions. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/85 "2015-01-15T20:18:32Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Go on Netflix (or amazon Prime), find a show called _Mind of a Chef_, and watch the first episode. You will learn everything you ever needed to know about ramen in Japan. It’s also on youtube. I just got done watching it. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr1oi9gWUBM) ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/86 "2015-01-16T12:20:01Z")
In the suburban Detroit area we’ve had a few Japanese ramen restaurants around here for years. I heard of one close to work that got good reviews on Yelp, so I decided to give it a try a couple months ago. I ordered seafood ramen and got an \*\*\*enormous \*\*\*bowl of ramen, vegetables and seafood in broth that was probably a degree or two short of still boiling. It was so hot I burned my tongue a little at first, even though I was being careful. But I appreciated how hot it was, since it was a bitterly cold day. It was delicious. Since I take my lunch early I got there when the tiny place was just opening, and was the first to be seated. But by the time I left there was a line going outside the door. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/87 "2015-01-16T13:38:44Z")
> [@solost](#): > > In the suburban Detroit area we’ve had a few Japanese ramen restaurants around here for years. I heard of one close to work that got good reviews on Yelp, so I decided to give it a try a couple months ago. I ordered seafood ramen and got an \*\*\*enormous \*\*\*bowl of ramen, vegetables and seafood in broth that was probably a degree or two short of still boiling. It was so hot I burned my tongue a little at first, even though I was being careful. But I appreciated how hot it was, since it was a bitterly cold day. It was delicious. > > Since I take my lunch early I got there when the tiny place was just opening, and was the first to be seated. But by the time I left there was a line going outside the door. I’ve never developed much of a fondness for ramen or udon. I know the usual way to serve it is just under boiling, and that’s just too damn hot for me. and I refuse to eat it as noisily as they do. ---
**Author:** ![jovan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/0ea827/32.png) [@jovan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jovan)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/88 "2015-01-16T14:40:27Z")
There’s actually an expression in Japanese for people who are unable to drink very hot beverages. _Neko-jita_. Literally, cat-tongued. I’m one. I have to let my tea stand for minutes before I can even consider bringing it anywhere close to my lips. I used to burn myself every time I tried to eat _tako-yaki_, until I finally learned my lesson. Anyway, I’ve been eating ramen in Japan for 15 years (twice this week because of this very thread) and I have never burned myself or otherwise been inconvenienced in any other way(\*). It must either be the way it’s served in the U.S. or maybe you’re not eating it the right way… (\*) Well, that’s not true. There was this place in Kyoto, maybe 10 years ago that didn’t stay open for very long I think. They specialized in spicy ramen. You could choose how spicy your noodles were. There was a scale on the wall. One chili was “for kids,” ten chilis was “we’ll call the ambulance right away.” I wanted something just a little spicy so I ordered a three. The waitress refused. She said I wanted a two. I said, I’m a grown man, I can handle a three. She said she would bring me a two. She did. Here’s your ramen, it’s a two. The scale on the wall said it was a prudent choice. It tasted like burning. I ate. I cried. I never went back. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/89 "2015-01-16T15:02:46Z")
> [@grude](#): > > This says as of two years ago there were none, with one soon to open. Well, yes, but that was two years ago. And it wasn’t accurate even then. In Houston, there’s Goro & Gun, Ninja Ramen, Ramen Jin, and even one of those high end food trucks with ramen. Other than that, lots of Japanese restaurants (and a few Korean and Chinese places) offer traditional ramen as part of their menus and have for several years. A few examples (of many) that offer ramen include Teppay, Kubo’s, the Fat Bao in Sugar Land, Soma Sushi, and Kata Robata. That’s just off the top of my head. There are tons more. If you can’t find authentic, hand cooked ramen in Houston, you aren’t really looking. ETA: a quick Google search reveals this [Aug 2014 Houston Press](http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2014/08/ramen_ramen_ramen_where_to_get_the_trendy_dish_and_whats_coming_next.php) feature that has a list of various places in Houston to get ramen. And indicates even more ramen places will be opening up this year. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/90 "2015-01-16T15:52:33Z")
> [@jovan](#): > > There’s actually an expression in Japanese for people who are unable to drink very hot beverages. _Neko-jita_. Literally, cat-tongued. I’m one. I have to let my tea stand for minutes before I can even consider bringing it anywhere close to my lips. I used to burn myself every time I tried to eat _tako-yaki_, until I finally learned my lesson. Anyway, I’ve been eating ramen in Japan for 15 years (twice this week because of this very thread) and I have never burned myself or otherwise been inconvenienced in any other way(\*). It must either be the way it’s served in the U.S. or maybe you’re not eating it the right way… I highly doubt Japanese people have skin/soft tissues more resistant to near-boiling temperatures. I’m sure I’m eating it the wrong way; eating noisily is considered rude in the U.S. and I don’t care to loudly “slurp” udon or ramen just to keep from burning the hell out of my mouth. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/91 "2015-01-16T16:33:01Z")
There is a company called “Knorr”. No one knows how to pronounce that name. But they make a wonderful product called, “Knorr Sidekicks Thai Sweet Chili Noodles”. This product comes in a tiny pouch and usually sells for $1.69 but is often on sale for $0.99. When it’s on sale, I try to buy as many as the store has. All stores post signs saying, "Maximum 6 sale items per customer. Some stores take it seriously. Others don’t care. When I go to a store that doesn’t care, I can purchase 20. Then go out and wait 10 or 20 minutes and go back and go to a diff cashiere and buy another 20. I only do this 3 or 4 times and then go to another store. I have gotten up to 100 pouches when they are on sale. They are so delicious. I have eaten one pouch as a substitute for an entire meal - though not very often. They have a tiny “hot” tang. If you can get this product from your grocery store, I’d like to recommend you try one. I think they are much, much batter than Ramen. [http://www.grocerygateway.com/Products/?n=4294962167&s=knorrs+thai&nm=2](http://www.grocerygateway.com/Products/?n=4294962167&s=knorrs+thai&nm=2) The above store charges about double what most stores do. But this store delivers and that can be wonderful. Especially for shut ins. ---
**Author:** ![bmoak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@bmoak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmoak)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/92 "2015-01-16T20:34:38Z")
> [@Saturn\_Dreams](#): > > I wouldn’t say foreign import, but rather foreign (Chinese) influenced. Many Japanese (including myself) consider ramen to be a Japanese creation. The etymology of the dish comes from a type of noodles used in China but that alone does not make it Chinese, just as doria (a Japanese take on rice-based gratin) couldn’t be considered an Italian import. Although it’s in Japanese, there is more info [here](http://www.uraken.net/zatsugaku/zatsugaku_21.html) on the history of ramen. > > Ramen is Chinese food created in Japan but in China, it’s considered Japanese food. There, it’s served with Japanese dishes such as yakitori or tempura, (another Japanese creation with foreign influence). I consider ramen analogous to to spaghetti and meatballs. It’s a created-in-America staple dish of Italian-American restaurants, but not actually found in Italy, but would be considered Italian by most Americans. Chop suey would also be a good analogy. When I taught in Japan, I would ask my students what their favorite foreign foods were and they would inevitably answer either ramen or curry rice, both foods that are so common Japan and been Japanese staples for so long that non-Japanese would consider them Japanese. On a side note, [here’s an essay by Ivan Orkin](http://luckypeach.com/making-ramen-in-japan-vs-america/), the man who went from Brooklyn to Japan who open ramen shops and then returned to New York to do the same. ---
**Author:** ![rogerbox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/93 "2015-01-16T21:18:26Z")
I have a severe case of cat’s tongue. I have to drink coffee or eat noodles at least 2 minutes after my wife can start in on it. With Ramen or Pho, it helps to use the ladle spoon to put a little bit of broth in it and some noodles, wait a bit, then use the chop sticks to pick from the ladle to get some cooler noodles until the entire bowl cools down. I wonder if it’s genetic? I can’t believe how people can drink steaming drinks, I would seer my throat. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/94 "2015-01-16T21:55:11Z")
> [@rogerbox](#): > > I have a severe case of cat’s tongue. I have to drink coffee or eat noodles at least 2 minutes after my wife can start in on it. With Ramen or Pho, it helps to use the ladle spoon to put a little bit of broth in it and some noodles, wait a bit, then use the chop sticks to pick from the ladle to get some cooler noodles until the entire bowl cools down. > > I wonder if it’s genetic? I can’t believe how people can drink steaming drinks, I would seer my throat. 😕 I figured it just became easier over time, after drinking lots of hot liquid. Similar to eating spicy food (but obviously via a different process). ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/95 "2015-01-16T23:01:09Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I highly doubt Japanese people have skin/soft tissues more resistant to near-boiling temperatures. I’m sure I’m eating it the wrong way; eating noisily is considered rude in the U.S. and I don’t care to loudly “slurp” udon or ramen just to keep from burning the hell out of my mouth. If I’m in an Asian restaurant that serves hot bowls of broth with noodles, I relish in slurping it the Japanese way. It’s not rude then. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/96 "2015-01-16T23:21:08Z")
I love Sakuramen in Adams-Morgan (Washington, D.C.) — but I hate fighting the weekend evening crowds of drunken kids. I also have had a decent bowl, but not as good at Tanpopo in Annandale. The Northern Virginia area is great for Pho, which I love, but sometimes I want a ramen or udon or Chinese style noodle soup for a change. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/97 "2015-01-16T23:37:15Z")
Broth, schmoth. It’s not the broth that makes packaged ramen good or bad, it’s the noodles. There’s just something off about them, IMO. I still eat 'em. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/98 "2015-01-16T23:39:29Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Broth, schmoth. It’s not the broth that makes packaged ramen good or bad, it’s the noodles. It’s both. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2015, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/99 "2015-01-17T21:22:15Z")
> [@flodnak](#): > > Nah. Watch _Tampopo_. Just because it’s awesome. > [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Noodle shops appear in Japanese cinema…[Udon](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780167/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1) and [Tampopo](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092048/?ref_=tt_rec_tt) come to mind. I’d recommend these as well. Very entertaining if you’re into that kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628/100 "2015-01-20T19:31:24Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > There is a company called “Knorr”. No one knows how to pronounce that name. Literally everyone, except maybe little children who can’t talk yet or tribesman that still hunt their meals and have never heard of them, knows how to pronounce it. Some people just use a silent “K”. > **[How to pronounce "Knorr"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=374143)** > > For years and years, I always thought that the correct way to pronounce “Knorr” (the soup and other food products company) is with a silent K. I’ve seen numerous TV commercials since I was child where the silent K was used. Then recently, I saw some... > **[How to pronounce $searchfor? (RECOMMENDED) - PronounceNames.com](https://www.pronouncenames.com/pronounce/knorr)** > > How do you say $searchfor? Learn how to pronounce $searchfor in different countries and languages with audio and phonetic spellings along with additional information, such as, type of name, other spellings, meaning. [http://www.pronounceitright.com/pronounce/3891/knorr](http://www.pronounceitright.com/pronounce/3891/knorr) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramen-restaurants-in-japan-what-is-the-deal/709628.md?page=6)