In recent years, ramen has developed into a beloved dish, captivating food enthusiasts with its rich flavours and textures. Japanese food is rated the second most satisfying meal by foreign tourists after sushi, according to a recent survey.
If you are looking for ramen-topping inspiration, countless options go well with homemade ramen. These ramen ingredient toppings can elevate your dish from the classic ramen egg to la-yu chilli oil and chashu.
In the previous ramen guide, we explored all the basic things of ramen. Now let’s explore the most popular ramen toppings for your homemade ramen soup, including vegetarian, vegan, and traditional options. These accompaniments for ramen will instantly add substance, flavour, colour and texture.
Essential Ramen Toppings List: Ideas For Every Ramen Lover
Add-ons for ramen allow for real creativity, which is why we love to experiment with adding colour, texture, and flavour to these wonderful noodles. Adding a selection of tender proteins, leafy greens, drizzles of different oils, and a whole bunch of pickled goodies can make ramen a whole new experience. Here’s where ramen will take a big leap forward, thanks to a whole host of toppings.
You can quickly understand what each topping for ramen is by taking a closer look at this table of basic ramen toppings ideas before going into the details.
Traditional Toppings For Ramen |
High Protein Toppings For Ramen |
Vegetarian Toppings For Ramen |
The most popular toppings for ramen |
Ramen Condiment Options |
Best toppings for instant ramen |
Other toppings for ramen |
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Traditional Ramen Toppings
Traditionally, ramen recipes include a wide variety of toppings, but here are some of the most popular.
Chashu
Chashu is a thinly sliced cut of roasted pork that is a classic yet luxurious topping for ramen. The topping is one of the most common ones in ramen, and you’re likely to find a couple in your bowl. When cooked slowly, chashu adds a rich, savoury flavour and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs beautifully with ramen broth.
However, the flavour of chashu varies depending on which cut you choose:
- Butabara: This is the richest, fattiest style of chashu and consists of thin slices of pork belly. Occasionally, chefs will replace it with kakuni, a braised piece of pork belly cut into thick slices or cubes.
- Rosu: This lean loin cut has a beefier taste and texture for people who dislike highly fatty foods.
- Katarosu: This refers to the pork shoulder cut with a good balance of richness from Butabara and a meaty texture from Rosu.
Note: People who don’t like pork can also find chashu made from duck, beef, or chicken. If you are wondering, is chicken ramen good for you? The details of that analysis have been provided to help you make an informed choice.
Menma
Menma is a fermented bamboo shoot which has a slightly sweet, savoury and pickled taste. It is usually packed with fibre, which only makes the ramen dish even more filling. Generally, you can find this dried ramen topping in online or Asian grocery stores. While menma in general doesn’t raise any vegetarian flags, you may want to check the ingredients if you are on a vegetarian diet that contains only vegetarian garnishes.
Negi
Japanese long green onions are commonly shredded or chopped, and they are called negi in Japanese. It is similar in appearance to the leek, although the taste is much more robust and rather sharp; it mellows as it cooks. Additionally, the shredded white stalk adds a nice depth of texture to the ramen, while the chopped green tops make for an attractive garnish. If you want to add a little kick to your ramen recipes, you could add karanegi—Japanese green onions shredded and coated in chilli oil.
Ramen Eggs
Some people believe that ramen is not complete without a savoury boiled egg with a golden custardy jammy yolk inside. Is that you? This type of ramen egg is called ajitsuke tamago, or ajitama for short, and it is marinated in a sweetened sauce based on soy. Alternatively, you can top your ramen with plain, soft-boiled eggs (hanjyuku tamago). In both styles of eggs, you will find creamy yolks that will enrich your bowl of ramen.
Narutomaki
If you’re looking for an easy and quick ramen topping, try narutomaki or steamed fish cake. Since the fish cake is pre-cooked, it only needs to be thinly sliced before use. There is a nice touch of colour and texture to this ramen bowl thanks to the swirled pink and white pattern. Alternatively, kamaboko would work if you can find it.
Seaweed
Because of its long coastline, seaweed plays a crucial role in Japanese cuisine. When folded in the corner, it looks visually striking, and its briny, salty taste complements any type of ramen. In Japanese cuisine, you’ll find many kinds of seaweed, but two are most commonly used:
Nori: Known for its umami flavour and crunch, nori seaweed is a popular topping. Adding the dried seaweed sheet last, after assembling the ramen, is the best way to ensure that it is well coated. In addition to being relatively inexpensive and easily available at most grocery stores, nori is an excellent garnish for ramen noodles.
Wakame: Typically, wakame comes in a dried or cut form. Most of the time, you need to rehydrate it before using it. In addition to being a versatile ingredient, nori can also be used in salads, stir-fries, and soups. You can usually find wakame at Asian stores, and also online.
Scallions
The soup broth is enhanced by fresh green onions, which give it an aromatic quality and an earthy, herbal flavour. It can be sliced in many ways to enhance the flavour of ramen. Even aonegi ramen is topped with chopped or sliced green onions.
Butter
A surprising yet delicious ramen topping is butter, which is most popular in northern Japan. In addition to adding rich, creamy texture to miso-based ramen, butter elevates the broth’s umami flavour. Besides, it reduces the spiciness of stronger broths.
High-protein Ramen Toppings
If you would like to spice up your ramen, you can certainly add your own flair. In a pinch, you can add these proteins to your ramen.
Shredded Chicken
With leftover chicken from rotisserie or baked chicken, you can make shredded chicken so easily.
Niku Soboro
As the name suggests, Niku Soboro is ground meat that has been seasoned with soy sauce and sugar. It makes a great topping for dry-style ramen because it’s fried until crunchy.
Pork
Pork is rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein, as well as many other benefits. It contains relatively few calories in comparison to other meats such as chicken and beef.
However, most of them prefer halal alternatives because pork is forbidden in Islam. If you are one of them among others and want to explore the best halal ramen restaurants in London, read on to learn some of the best recommendations for halal ramen restaurants in London.
Seafood
You can boost your protein intake with seafood without consuming too much fat. To boost your protein intake, add some kamaboko slices, which provide 3.4 grams per serving. For something a little less traditional, we recommend scallops, prawns, haddock, and halibut.
Clam
In seafood broth, clams are typically used as a base (often in dried scallop broth).
Vegetarian Toppings For Ramen
Is there a veggie that goes best with ramen? It is great to have fresh and crisp vegetables, but it is even better to have cooked vegetables or pickled veggies! Please ensure that the ingredients are neither limp nor excessively cooked. Adding layers is the way to go. If you want vegetarian ramen to be wholesome, use one protein topping and mix and match greens.
Sautéed Leafy Greens
Spinach, bok choy, and broccoli florets sauté in wheat grass dressing.
Crisp Vegetables
A variety of crunchy vegetables that can be used include thinly sliced carrots, chopped cabbage, asparagus, snap peas, and thinly sliced radishes.
Edamame
While edamame may not be the classic topping for ramen, this is a great choice for vegan ramen accompaniments. With more than 18 grams of plant protein per cup, edamame is a highly nutritious and healthful addition to ramen.
Sautéed Mushrooms
Mushrooms such as shimeji, wood ear, or shiitake would be ideal, but you could certainly substitute cremini mushrooms.
Sliced Avocado
Avocados are neutral-tasting and creamy in texture, which makes them fantastic plant-based alternatives for butter when it comes to miso ramen. Beyond adding prettiness to the dish, avocado brings a different kind of uniqueness.
Tofu
A crispy topping of tofu adds a whole new dimension to ramen and is a very great source of plant-based protein. Alternatively, silken tofu could be added to the broth, like would to miso soup.
Most Popular Ramen Toppings That Add Extra Flavour
Some of the most popular toppings you can add to ramen to enhance its flavour are listed below.
1. Furikake
The word “furikakeru” is actually a Japanese word that translates to sprinkles in English. It is a Japanese seasoning containing a mix of sesame seeds, dried fish flakes, herbs, and seaweed. Besides that, it has an extremely salty, nutty flavour and a salty sea brininess to the aroma.
2. Kimchi
Why not add a kick to your bowl with a helping of kimchi? It is a traditional Korean side dish created from the fermentation of vegetables and spices. Most often, it includes cabbage and carrots. Also, sometimes it contains sweet, spicy, and sour flavours. Fermented foods carry probiotics with them, which are great for your gut. But beyond the flavour, is kimchi good for you? Visit our previous article to find out how the fermentation process that occurs in kimchi can affect your gut health.
3. Ginger
Adding ginger to your bowl can brighten it in so many ways. With fresh slices of ginger, your ramen noodles will have a nice crunchy zing that cuts the umami in tonkotsu or shio broth. Alternatively, you can take fresh ginger and grate it or mince it and sprinkle it on top.
Ramen Condiment Options or Options Available at the Table
The ramen chefs can drizzle sauce on top to add a little flair. Check out some of our favourites below.
Rayu
Rayu has traditionally been a Japanese chilli oil prepared with sesame oil combined with red pepper, green onions, garlic, and spices. You can buy it in stores sometimes, but you can also make it yourself. Adding rayu to ramen gives it a smoky, rich flavour few other sauces can match.
Mayu (Black Garlic Oil)
A mixture of roasted garlic cloves and vegetable or canola oil is called mayu, or black garlic oil. There is nothing better than adding a drizzle of this condiment to a bowl of tonkotsu ramen to add depth to its earthy, smoky flavour.
Yuzu Kosho
Yuzu kosho originates from Kyushu in Japan and has been a traditional Japanese condiment. Chefs have long loved this condiment, which is typically made with yuzu peels, hot chillies, and salt. A bowl of ramen is enhanced with fragrant yuzu and spicy green chilli.
Roasted Sesame Oil
You can add toasted sesame oil to your ramen for added nutty taste and a hint of nutty aroma. Drizzle the top with olive oil for added flavour.
Minced Raw Garlic
The garlic lover will love this! At some restaurants, raw garlic cloves are served with a garlic crusher available at the table. To slurp the noodles, crush the garlic fresh, mix it into your bowl, and slurp it up.
Gochujang
A Korean chilli paste with sweet and smoky flavours, gochujang is a rich, fermented paste made from Korean chillies. There are often more intense varieties of gochujang in your local supermarket’s international aisle.
The Best Toppings For Instant Ramen
Traditionally, instant ramen packets are seasoned with basic ingredients and include seaweed or green onions, but these ingredients aren’t enough for a satisfying meal. By adding these easily accessible packaged ramen toppings, your ready-to-cook ramen will be taken to a whole new level without requiring too much additional cooking time.
1. Homemade Ajitama
Ajitama is a simple make-ahead topping that is boiled to your liking and then steeped in a sauce overnight. To cook the eggs, boil them according to your preference and soak them in the marinade overnight. You can also grab egg leftovers as a convenient snack for the rest of the week.
2. Cheese
Instant ramen is easy and unlikely to take on a form of cheese addition. Upon biting into it, a creamy and delicate layer spreads out. The most versatile cheese to use is yellow or white American cheese, but you can also use Swiss, mozzarella, or provolone.
3. Bok Choy
Ramen is a good source of greens, did you know? The Chinese word for bok choy is “pak choi”, and it has a mild, bitter taste. The light crunch and vitamins C, iron, and magnesium contained in sauteed or stir-fried bok choy make it a great addition to your bowl.
You May Also See These Toppings On Ramen
Blanched Bean Sprouts
The bean sprouts add a delicious crunch to ramen and act as a palate cleanser between bites of savoury noodles. Unlike Vietnamese pho, raw bean sprouts do not feature in ramen. You can prepare bean sprouts ahead of time by blanching or stir-frying in advance.
Wood Ear Mushrooms (Kikurage)
Kikurage is best known as the dried topping for ramen made from wood ear mushrooms. Due to its natural shape, it has acquired several ear nicknames over the years including ear fungus, wood ear mushroom, and common ear fungus.
Garlic Chives (Nira)
With a garlicky, oniony flavour, this herb does not have a pungent or harsh taste as some other herbs do.
Sweet Corn
With its vibrant colour and sweet flavour, sweet corn makes a great addition to any dish.
Red Pickled Ginger
A bright reddish colour is achieved by pickling the julienned ginger in plum vinegar, which has been infused with apple cider vinegar. A typical topping for ramen prepared in the Hakata style is beni shōga.
Toppings That Make Negi & Nori’s Ramen Unique
At Negi & Nori, we believe that the right ramen toppings can make any bowl of ramen just that much better. Therefore, we offer a variety of options, from rich and savoury chashu pork to fresh and pungent negi. Also, offers unique organic craft ramen that is much higher in quality than other brands.
The Negi & Nori Japanese ramen restaurant has something to offer everyone, whether you enjoy traditional toppings or more adventurous ingredients.
With a vision for ramen accessibility, we can help you with everything!
Final Thoughts
To make ramen taste good, ramen toppings should complement its broth and noodles without overwhelming them. This is our comprehensive guide to the best ramen toppings, where we discuss all of them about ramen add-on.
If you choose the right toppings, Japanese ramen can be delicious, whether it’s tonkotsu ramen with mushrooms or vegan miso ramen with crispy tofu.
Let us know what topping you like best for ramen in the comments section below.
