If you are planning to travel around Japan, you should try the local ramen at your different destinations. Broth alone varies so much by region—miso in Sapporo, soy sauce in Kitakata, tonkotsu in Fukuoka, and so on. Noodles also vary widely—thick, thin, wavy, etc. And recently, ramen chefs have been coming up with unique specialties such as tonkotsu ramen topped with dry-cured ham and omelet, black ramen mixed with pulverized coal, and ones using tomato-based broth. The world of ramen has become so expansive, deep, and unique that it is now impossible to bracket all of them together by the term “ramen.”

Instant ramen noodles are also evolving. It has been quite a while since the first one came out about 60 years ago, but with the improvement in the food production technology as well as with the increasing demand in the last few years as people are eating at home more, a wide variety of ramen products supervised by popular restaurants are now available. Ichiran, Ippudo, and Iida Shouten—these three are especially popular even among tourists from overseas, and you can purchase their products at Narita Airport at souvenir shops on the way back to your country. Buy them as a souvenir and they will definitely put a smile on everyone’s face! Which one is your favorite?

[Hakata Ippudo (Left)] Founded in Hakata, Fukuoka, the home of tonkotsu ramen, this popular restaurant now has branches overseas as well. There are two different flavors: “Shiromaru” with the original flavor that has been maintained since the restaurant was founded, and “Akamaru” with a revolutionary and innovative flavor created by adding special flavored oils and rich and spicy miso. These ones that come with a spoon are available exclusively at Narita Airport, so don’t forget to pick them up! Hakata Ippudo Shiromaru/Akamaru with a spoon only at Narita Airport (6 servings/box) / Tax-free price ¥2,300 (Watanabe Seimen)

[Ichiran Ramen (Middle)] Describing itself as a “The company that researches tonkotsu ramen the best in the world,” this well-known artisanal restaurant is committed to making “natural tonkotsu ramen” while purposefully refraining from diversifying its menu. The noodles made with rare wheat flour specially mixed by highly experienced ramen artisans, the broth with exquisite richness and umami created through inexhaustible exploration and countless trial and error, and the special “secret red powder”—these elements are combined in a perfectly balanced manner. Ichiran Ramen Hakata-style Thin Straight Noodles (5 servings/box) / Tax-free price ¥1,998 (Ichiran)

[Ramen Iida Shouten (Right)] Iida Shouten was known for having the longest wait line in Japan. (Now you need to make a reservation online in advance to eat at the restaurant.) The robust smell of soy sauce, the flavorful broth that draws out the umami of chickens that are carefully selected from all over Japan, and the smooth medium thin noodles that catch up the broth nicely—just a single slurp of the noodles will amaze you with the ramen’s delicate taste. Ramen Iida Shouten Shoyu Ramen (2 servings/box) / Tax-free price ¥1,000 (Maruni Foods, Inc.)

(Information as of April 2023)