Udon vs Ramen – What’s the Difference?

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

These two popular Japanese noodle dishes are more different than you’d think.

The noodle cousins share some familiar traits, but in other ways, they’re actually very different.

Udon vs ramen difference
Udon vs ramen

Let’s have a look at udon vs ramen and what the similarities and differences are.

Udon vs Ramen

Firstly, it’s necessary to point out that both dishes are noodles that are served in a soup or broth and are made from wheat flour. 

They’re a very popular element of Japanese cuisine. However, this is where their similarities end.

Udon

Udon noodles are made from wheat flour, salt and water. They are much thicker than Ramen noodles and are served in a dashi-based broth.

Udon noodles can be rounded or flat and typically measure between two and four millimeters wide. Udon are white in color due to the flour from which they’re made.

Udon dish noodles
Udon dish

As far as texture goes, udon are chewy, bouncy, and somewhat springy.

This is because of the techniques involved in making them. Udon noodles should be cooled before they are served. In restaurants, chefs put the noodles in cold water to cool them.

They then add hot broth on top of the cooled udon noodles.

They do this because it stops the udon from becoming overly soggy and over-cooked. If this step is not taken, the noodles would lose their bounciness and springiness.

The broth for udon noodles is called kakejiru, which is subtle and light in taste. The noodles are often served with an egg yolk, and green onions and topped with something such as a kamaboko fish cake.

Other popular toppings include kamaboko, which is sliced beef, aburaage (a tofu pouch that has been deep-fried) or tempura.

Ramen

Ramen noodles are also made from wheat flour but are yellow in color thanks to the addition of kansui.

Kansui is an alkaline solution that reacts with the milled flour and creates a tiny hint of ammonia, giving the ramen their characteristic yellow tinge and chewy texture as well as creating their distinct flavor.

Try Japanese ramen soup
Japanese Ramen

Ramen noodles also contain egg, meaning that, unfortunately for some, they are not suitable for vegan diets.

These noodles tend to be thin but can be curly or straight.

Ramen are popular around the world thanks to instant ramen noodles hitting the shelves back in 1958.

With these instant noodles, you just add water and have perfect ramen every time.

When cooking ramen or when it is served in a restaurant, it comes in a thicker, rich broth.

There are a few different varieties of ramen broths, but all are flavorsome with bolder tastes.

Udon Dishes

Let’s take a look at a few popular udon dishes.

Kake Udon

Kake udon noodles
Kake udon

The most traditional of the udon dishes, it is made with udon floating in the broth.

The kakejiru broth is made from dashi, mirin and soy sauce.

Nabeyaki Udon

Nabeyaki udon noodles
Nabeyaki udon

Udon noodles, meat and vegetables feature in this dish with an egg added at the end of the cooking.

This is a classic comfort food in winter and is usually made in small, individual pots.

Yaki Udon

Yaki udon Japanese noodle dish
Yaki udon

These udon noodles are stir-fried with pork (or other meat/protein) and vegetables.

A staple in Japanese restaurants that’s also easy to make at home.

Kitsune Udon

This is a vegetarian udon dish made with fried tofu and a dashi broth.

Kitsune udon Japanese dish
Kitsune udon

Kitsune means “fox” in Japanese, and the dish takes this name as it is a magical creature that features in folktales whose preferred food is seasoned fried tofu, inari age.

Ramen Dishes

There are four popular ramen dishes:

  • Shoyu ramen
  • Miso ramen
  • Tonkotsu ramen
  • Shio ramen

Shoyu Ramen

This kind of ramen is made with broth, ramen noodles, sauce, flavored oil and toppings.

Shoyu ramen noodle dish
Shoyu ramen

The sauce is largely soy sauce with a few added ingredients. Shoyu means ‘soy sauce’ in Japanese. This is a light broth that is familiar and nostalgic for many Japanese people.

The broth is usually made from pork or chicken broth sometimes with a soup stock of niboshi (dried sardines) or konbu (kelp).

Toppings include:

  • chashu (slices of braised pork)
  • menma (bamboo shoots)
  • nori (dried seaweed)
  • and green onion

Miso Ramen

This ramen has a thick, rich miso flavor as you may have guessed.

Miso ramen soup
Miso ramen

The broth is made from pork bones and vegetables.

Thicker, wavy noodles are used in this dish, and it has toppings such as rice and koji (an organism used in fermenting soybeans) and fermented soybeans.

Tonkotsu Ramen

Tonkotsu is Japanese for pork bone.

Chefs boil the pork bones on a high heat for hours and therefore parts of the bone are melted into the broth.

Tonkotsu ramen Japanese noodle dish
Tonkotsu ramen

This makes it cloudy, thick, and very rich in taste.

Usually, thinner ramen noodles are used, and simple toppings are added such as:

  • green onion
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • karashi takana
  • and chashu sesame

Shio Ramen

Shio is the Japanese word for salt. This ramen has a distinctive clear soup that is made from pork or chicken bones.

Shio ramen Japanese noodle dish
Shio ramen

So that the broth stays clear, the bones must be cooked gently rather than on a high heat.

Chefs tend to use noodles that are of medium thickness with this ramen dish. Toppings are often menma, green onions, and chashu.

Final Thoughts on Udon vs Ramen – What is the difference?

Let’s summarize the differences!

UdonRamen
Lighter, simpler brothRicher, thicker broth
Noodles made from flour, salt and waterNoodles made from flour and kansui
White in colorYellow in color
Thicker in sizeThinner in size
Straight in shapeCan be straight or wavy
VeganNot usually vegan-friendly due to egg
Simple toppingsHeavier toppings

As you can see, whilst both types of noodles have much in common, they are surprisingly different when you look further!

There are differences within the type of broths in each, the ingredients of the noodles, their color, texture and shape, and their toppings!

The next question should therefore be: Udon vs Ramen – which do you prefer?

You Might Also Read

About the author

Latest Posts

  • 10 Amazing Facts About Schools in Japan: Unique Traditions and Educational Practices

    10 Amazing Facts About Schools in Japan: Unique Traditions and Educational Practices

    Japan’s schools are known for their unique approach to education. We’ll explore some amazing facts about Japanese schools that set them apart from other countries. These facts show how Japan’s education system shapes its students and society. Japanese schools focus on more than just academics. They teach important life skills and values too. We’ll look…

    Read more

  • Where can you see snow monkeys in Japan: Best locations and viewing tips

    Where can you see snow monkeys in Japan: Best locations and viewing tips

    Snow monkeys are one of Japan’s most fascinating wildlife attractions. These unique creatures draw visitors from around the world to see them bathing in hot springs surrounded by snow. You can see snow monkeys at several locations across Japan, with the most famous being Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture. We’ve explored the best spots…

    Read more

  • Are Shinkansen Trains Still the Fastest: Comparing Global High-Speed Rail Systems

    Are Shinkansen Trains Still the Fastest: Comparing Global High-Speed Rail Systems

    Shinkansen trains, Japan’s iconic bullet trains, have long been synonymous with high-speed rail travel. These sleek marvels of engineering have captivated the world since their introduction in 1964, setting the standard for fast, efficient transportation. While Shinkansen trains remain among the fastest in regular commercial service, they are no longer the absolute fastest in the…

    Read more