Osaka is often referred to as the food capital of Japan or “the nation’s kitchen,” so it’s no surprise that this city takes their ramen seriously with more than 1,000 ramen restaurants to choose from.

In addition to the great many ramen restaurants you can find there, Osaka Prefecture is also the birthplace of instant ramen. Inventor Momofuku Ando first developed his instant chicken-flavored ramen in his small backyard shed in the city of Ikeda. A recreation of his work shed can be found at the Cup Noodles Museum in Ikeda.

Today you can find a huge range of ramen restaurants in Osaka to suit every taste and preference, with all of Japan’s regional ramen styles represented here. From hearty tonkotsu ramen to spiced curry ramen, hole-in-the-wall style joints to stylish eateries, Osaka is the perfect place to embark upon a ramen-themed foodie adventure!

What are the different types of ramen?

Ramen noodles are made from wheat flour, water, salt, and a type of alkaline water called kansui, which is what gives the noodles their springy texture and yellow tint. Although ramen noodles can vary in size and shape, ramen dishes are often categorized according to their broth base. The most popular kinds of ramen are:

Shoyu ramen – a clear brown-colored soy sauce-based broth, which is quite light to eat and usually made with chicken or vegetable stock. Common ingredients and toppings in shoyu ramen include braised pork belly, fish cakes, boiled egg, bamboo shoots called menma, and a Japanese spice blend called togarashi consisting of chilli flakes, seaweed, and sesame seeds.

Miso ramen – this kind of ramen dish originated in Hokkaido, the broth is made using miso paste and usually chicken or fish stock. Miso ramen is a thick, rich, and creamy kind of soup and makes a perfect warming winter dish. Classic miso ramen soup toppings include spicy bean paste, corn, green onion, and bean sprouts.

Shio ramen – this salt-based broth is usually made with a stock consisting of chicken, vegetables, fish, and seaweed. The soup is light and clear, and famous variations of this dish include Hakodate ramen, made with thin straight noodles, and topped with slices of roast pork, spring onions, and bamboo shoots.

Tonkotsu ramen – is a ramen dish whose broth is made from boiled pork bones and is one of the most famous ramen dishes. Tonkotsu ramen originated in Fukuoka on Kyushu Island and is also referred to as Hakata ramen. The soup is special because it takes a long time to prepare, the bones are usually boiled between 8-18 hours to create a thick umami broth that is cloudy in appearance.

Tsukemen

Tsukemen is a Japanese ramen dish that consists of soup and noodles served separately. The soup is usually made with pork and vegetables and the noodles are usually served cold and then dipped in the soup. The main difference between ramen and tsukemen is that tsukemen noodles are boiled then chilled before being served.

Other types of ramen dishes

As well as these four main types of ramen, other dishes you may come across in Osaka include curry ramen – ramen served with a curry soup, and tantanmen, which is a Japanese version of spicy Chinese Sichuan dan dan noodles.

How to order ramen

As one of Japan’s most popular, affordable, and widely available dishes, you can find ramen restaurants in almost every town. Many ramen restaurants use a vending machine system to place and pay for orders. You choose what kind of ramen dish you want by pushing the corresponding button before making payment. Once the payment has been made you will receive a ticket which you should then hand to the staff inside who can place your order and show you to a seat.

Tips on how to eat ramen in Japan

When you go to a ramen restaurant in Japan, you will be given chopsticks for eating the noodles and a spoon for the broth, but it’s also acceptable to bring the bowl to your lips and drink it. One of the most important things to remember when eating ramen is that speed is key – take too long and the noodles will expand and soak up the broth, becoming mushy. If you have visited Japan before, you may have noticed people loudly slurping their ramen noodles, this is to help you eat them quickly and it also enhances the food by bringing out the flavor of the noodles.

How to find a great ramen restaurant in Osaka

Now you know about the different kinds of ramen and tips on how to order and eat it, but what are some of the best ways to find a great ramen restaurant, and what makes a good bowl of ramen?

I believe good ramen should have a flavorful broth with a rich taste of meat or vegetables without being greasy or oily. The noodles should be soft but firm to the bite and the toppings should not overwhelm the taste of the soup. A good bowl of ramen will make you feel full but is not likely to leave you feeling heavy afterwards.

In Osaka, there are many different types of ramen restaurants. While you may want to go to an old-school joint with a history and tradition, other people might prefer something more modern and chicer like a stylish noodle bar.

One way to find a good ramen shop is to look for places that have long lines out front, as this is usually a sign of a good restaurant. Don’t be put off by the long lines by thinking that you will have to wait hours until you get inside. Ramen is considered a fast food in Japan and the lines will move quickly as customers tend to eat their noodles and leave soon afterwards.

Another tip is to ask locals for recommendations, people are always happy to share their knowledge of the city and love of food. Alternatively, if you are passing by a ramen shop, try to peek inside and see if the soup bowls are empty, as I think this is also a sign of a good ramen restaurant!

Knowing the specialty of the ramen restaurant will also help you to figure out what the best dishes are to order. For example, if you know a restaurant specializes in tonkotsu ramen, order that. If you’re not sure what the specialty dish is you can always ask the staff for their “osusume,” which means recommendation in Japanese.

Five of the Top Ramen Restaurants in Osaka You Need to Try!

If you are visiting Osaka and are looking for somewhere to eat ramen, check out these five ramen restaurants in the Umeda district that you can try.

1.Tamagoroh

This Osaka chain of traditional ramen shops specializes in niboshi ramen, ramen with a broth based in small dried-fish and pork bones. Their delicious unique broth made from pork bones and dried sardines is prepared for around 12 hours and contains plenty of seafood ingredients like anchovies and bonito to create a rich seafood soup. Enjoy with thick and smooth wavy ramen noodles with a side dish of homemade boiled gyoza dumplings.

2. Ramen Yokozuna

This specialist ramen restaurant chain has been in business for more than 40 years and this branch features pork dishes in a sleek modern interior setting with friendly and helpful staff. In addition to their tonkotsu shoyu ramen, (soy sauce-based pork ramen), which is priced between 700 and 1,000 yen, you can also order tasty side dishes such as gyoza dumplings and fried rice which are included as part of the set menu, available between 11am and 5pm and priced between 800 and 1,100 yen each.

3. Ramen Gyoku

This shoyu ramen restaurant uses a combination of seafood, pork bones, chicken bones, and vegetables to make its rich soy sauce-based broth, whilst the chewy and smooth noodles are made fresh in-house using Japanese wheat from Hokkaido. A bowl of ramen here will set you back around 800-1,000 yen with other noodle dishes like tsukemen priced between 850-1,100 yen.

4.Tsukemen TETSU

Tsukemen Tetsu is a specialist tsukemen restaurant chain mainly in the eastern Kanto region, where the ramen noodles are served separately to the soup. This branch in Osaka is the first in the Kansai region. The creamy broth you’ll find here is made from pork bones, dried bonito and mackerel. In addition to their best-selling traditional tsukemen dish, you can also try spicy Dan Dan noodle tsukemen that's only available at the HANKYU SANBAN GAI location!

To enjoy tsukemen, pick up a bite’s worth of noodles with your chopsticks and dip the noodles about two-thirds of the way into the soup. If you’re struggling to eat your noodles quickly, Tsukemen Testu also have unique hot stones that can be placed in lukewarm soup to bring them back to steamy temperatures.

5.Ramen Xone

This light and modern ramen bar located in the HEP FIVE shopping mall has a café-like atmosphere with vibrant red and white décor. Ramen Xone specializes in creamy tonkotsu ramen whose broth is made from pork bones and includes collagen to help promote skin hydration and elasticity. Other popular dishes on the menu include their bibimbap – a Korean rice dish, and their fried rice grilled on hot stones. Expect to pay from 1,000 to 3,000 yen per person including drinks.

*Information in this article is accurate as of the date of posting. There is a possibility that details regarding these products and services have changed, or that some shops have since closed.