Ramen for Breakfast in Japan (Yes This Is a Real Part of Japanese Culture)
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CONTENTS
Breakfast ramen isn’t just a sad sign that college is getting to be a bit much, it’s a real Japanese tradition, especially in Fukushima.
It turns out, slurping up the springy noodles and salty broth of ramen first thing in the morning isn't just the kind of thing misguided college students do when all they've got is instant noodles and an empty stomach. When I recently found out that a ramen shop in my neighborhood of Tokyo opened every morning at the astonishingly early hour of 7 am, I knew I needed to find out more about just what was going on there, and what the fuss was all about.
Breakfast Ramen Is a Regional Thing!
Apparently, ramen for breakfast is something of a tradition in two distinct regions of Japan, and my local ramen shop carries on the legacy of one of those areas: Kitakata, Fukushima. The Japankuru team actually stopped into one of the most famous restaurants in Kitakata to try their unique Kitakata ramen while we were traveling around the Aizu region! There are many, many ramen shops in Kitakata, and a few theories as to why a number of them have been opening early in the morning since the 1960s. Perhaps it was to cater to shift workers at the local aluminum plant, or farmers finishing their dawn chores (or even to make up for a lack of late-night business when the red light district closed). The exact reason is probably a combination of all of those things.
When we visited Kitakata ramen shop at a fairly reasonable lunch hour, little did we know that they had been open for half the day already!
Which brings us back to my little morning adventureーI arrived at the restaurant shortly after opening, and when the ramen was brought to my seat, it was barely 7:30 (am!). Kitakata ramen is known for having broth with deep pork-infused flavor, but a light, clear texture (very unlike the creamy, rich soup of tonkotsu ramen). The noodles are also unusually broad, giving them great texture that really holds onto the flavor. Topping my bowl were a couple slices of chashu roast pork, giving me a little protein to start the day.
On the table in Kitakata ramen shops are a few condiment options, including vinegar. The acid of vinegar is often used to cut through oily foods, but when it comes to ramen, the Kitakata style is somewhat low-grease to start with. Since the broth is so incredibly savory, the vinegar instead provides some nice contrast to the intense flavor.
At first glance, ramen in the morning does seem kind of ridiculous. But why is that? Why do we balk at noodle soup for breakfast? I think, at least to some extent, it's because ramen can so easily be a rich, heavy meal, full of oil, salt, and carbohydrates. But… while light breakfast cereal and fruit might be a popular breakfast option in much of the world, so is a platter of pancakes, bacon, and eggs, or a breakfast burrito. This ramen was certainly salty and full of carbohydrates, and ramen just doesn't taste good without some kind of fat, but the light texture and simple, deep flavors of Kitakata ramen do seem to make it a good breakfast option! Dashing some drops of vinegar on my last few noodles and finishing the bowl, I expected to be weighed down all day, but I felt surprisingly light and ready to go!
Where Else Can You Get Breakfast Ramen?
The other major destination for breakfast ramen is the area formerly called the Shida District, found in present day Shizuoka Prefecture. The origins of breakfast ramen seem a little more clear in Shizuokaーthe region is very famous for green tea, and farmers harvesting the tea have to get up even before the crack of dawn to start the day during the spring. When ramen shop Marunaka in the city of Fujieda opened in 1919 and began selling their ramen early in the morning, it attracted tea farmers who had just finished their morning work. The local Shida ramen is generally made with a soy-sauce base, and Marunaka (along with other morning ramen providers) offer the noodle soup in both hot and chilled versions. Apparently, it's not uncommon to order both the hot and cold ramen at the same time, and eat them as a set.
Of course, even if you're not in Kitakata or Shida (or near a restaurant specializing in those regional ramen styles), there are some other places to try early AM ramen! One solid option is Ichiran, a chain from Fukuoka that serves Hakata tonkotsu ramen (the rich pork broth I mentioned earlier). It's not a light meal, but if ramen's what you want, the rich tonkotsu will definitely hit the spot. Ichiran's locations in New York City are famous for both the great food and their unique counter booths, made for a solo ramen-eating experience. In Japan, many of their locations serve ramen 24/7!
Next time you're in Japan and looking for a tasty breakfast, why not try ramen? And let me know what you think! If you need help finding the perfect breakfast ramen shop, send the Japankuru team a message (and follow us, of course!) on twitter, instagram, and facebook!
Half a lifetime ago I came to Japan for a semester abroad... and I never left. I guess I really like the place! I spent my first few years in Japan living in the middle of nowhere, so I'd love to hear your Tokyo recommendations via Japankuru's social media accounts!
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Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
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Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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HIROSHIMA
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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