Ramen noodle soup is one of those classic comfort food dishes that has been around since ancient times.
The Japanese version is called nigiri-soba, which literally translates to “rice bowl” or “bowl rice”.
In recent years, it seems like ramen has taken over as America’s favorite fast food item.
It’s not hard to see why — there are so many different varieties out there, each with unique flavor combinations, ingredients, and preparations.
One such variety is known as ‘Naruto Ramen.’
What Is The Main Ingredient In Naruto Ramen?
The name comes from the fact that this particular style of ramen uses black soy sauce instead of regular yellowish soy sauce.
Black soy sauce adds a deeper color and richer taste to your dish.
However, its dark appearance can be off-putting if you aren’t used to eating foods with darker hues, especially when compared to the lighter colors of regular yellowish soy sauce.
If you want to learn more about what makes these two types of soy sauces different, check out our article on how to buy tamari and miso.
There are also other differences between these two types of soy sauces.
For example, Naruto ramen contains shiitake mushrooms while regular ramen only includes Chinese bamboo shoots.
Shiitakes add an earthy, mushroom-like flavor to your dish, but they tend to have a higher price tag than their bamboo shoot counterparts.
Another difference is that naruto ramen doesn’t contain pork (which is usually found in regular ramen).
Instead, it relies heavily on chicken stock and vegetables, making it healthier than traditional ramen.
Another key ingredient in Naruto ramen is konjac flour.
Konjac flour is made by mixing wheat with starch extracted from plant roots.
As you might expect, the result is a very sticky substance that resembles glue, and it helps bind all of the other ingredients together into a cohesive paste.
This mixture acts as both a thickener and stabilizer, allowing you to create more stable noodles that don’t fall apart easily during cooking.
You won’t find much information online about konjac flour itself, though. Instead, most people seem to just refer to it as “glue” or “starch.”
While the exact ratio may vary depending on the brand you purchase, the general rule of thumb is that you need to use at least 1 cup per 8 ounces of water.
In addition to being a great way to make sure your noodles stay firm throughout cooking, adding additional starchy substances will help boost the overall nutritional value of your dish.
Since konjac flour binds everything else together, it helps keep vitamins and minerals contained within, helping you get more bang for your buck.
How Do You Make Naruto Ramen?
The name Naruto comes from its creator, who used her own nickname when she created this dish.
In Japan, people often use nicknames instead of their real names on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Naruto is also written using hiragana (a syllabic alphabet) rather than katakana (an alphabetic script).
This recipe uses several popular ingredients found in traditional Japanese cuisine, including soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and miso paste.
There are no specific measurements given here, but if you want to try your hand at making this delicious ramen yourself, these directions should help get you started.
- Combine all the ingredients together in a large pot and bring them to a boil. If using dried shiitake mushrooms, add them now and simmer until they soften. Add more water if necessary to keep everything covered while cooking.
- Once the liquid starts boiling again, reduce heat and continue to cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before serving.
- To serve, stir in sriracha, crushed chili flakes, and chopped scallions. Top with fried eggs and garnish with nori strips.
If you prefer to eat your meals without toppings, here’s how to make an egg drop soup base.
What Is The History Of Naruto Ramen?
Naruto ramen was originally developed by Chef Tetsuya Wakuda in 2015 when he decided to create his own take on the traditional dish.
He wanted to offer something new and exciting to his customers at Sushi Roku, where he worked at the time.
He thought up the idea while watching Naruto episodes and realized that the characters loved their spicy ramen bowls.
So he added sriracha to give it more punch.
Wakuda started selling this new creation under the name Narutosoup.
But after just two weeks, demand grew so much that he had to start making several batches per day.
Soon, people were ordering it online and asking him to keep the secret recipe top-secret because they didn’t want anyone else to sell it.
Eventually, he made enough money off of it that he quit his job and opened his own restaurant, Kurokawa Ramen, located right next door to Sushiroku.
The original concept of Narutosoup was to serve the ramen in a bento box along with other sushi items.
However, as demand grew, Wakuda found himself running out of space in the boxes, leading him to open a separate shop dedicated solely to serving naruto ramen.
Nowadays, there are tons of places all across Japan that specialize in creating variations of the popular dish.
There are even restaurants throughout the world offering Narutosoup style ramen.
You can find them in countries including :
- Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Austria, Israel, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Senegal, Gambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Reunion Island, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, and Jordan.
(Source)
Where Does Naruto Ramen Come From?
While we don’t know exactly where the name comes from, it appears that this particular style of ramen was first created by an Okinawan man named Kiyoshi Nakamura who opened his own shop in Tokyo in the 1970s.
He used a combination of traditional Okinawa techniques (such as dashi stock) and modern Japanese cooking methods to create what he calls “Okinawa Style Ramen Noodles.”
Nakamura sold these homemade ramen noodles at street stalls until the early 2000s when they were made into commercial products under the brand names Naruto and Udono Ramen.
From there, they became incredibly popular across the country and have become a staple in American homes.
The popularity of Naruto ramen spread even further when the anime series Naruto debuted on TV screens in 1999.
The show featured a character named Sasuke Uchiha whose specialty was creating high quality ramen using local seafood and vegetables grown nearby.
Fans of the show quickly adopted the ramen dish as their own and started calling it “Sasuke Ramen.”
How Popular Is Naruto Ramen In Japan?
According to a study done by the International Food Information Center (IFIC), Naruto ramen was ranked number three on their list of most popular instant ramen brands in Japan.
There were actually two other instant ramen brands in the top ten, but they did not make the cut.
The IFIC also found that 1.8 million people ordered Naruto ramen last year alone.
This popularity is no surprise when you consider how simple this dish can be prepared.
All you need is a packet of ramen noodles, a bag of fresh vegetables, and some meat stock.
You can even leave out all the vegetables if you want to save time.
In fact, according to the IFIC, a lot of restaurants only use beef bones because they take less time to cook than vegetable ones do.
If you’re wondering about the name, Narutos are ninja characters who specialize in ninjutsu.
They are said to have originated during the Genpei War, an era between 1180 CE and 1221 CE.
So while Naruto ramen may seem foreign to Westerners, it’s extremely popular among Japanese people.
What Are Some Of The Best Naruto Ramen Shops In Japan?
If you have ever visited Japan, chances are you’ve had your fair share of delicious Japanese ramen.
If you haven’t yet experienced the joys of this traditional dish, here are a few places where you can get authentic Japanese versions of the famous noodle soup in Tokyo.
You may be surprised at how similar the recipes from these locations are compared with other restaurants offering Japanese cuisine abroad.
- Nakamura Soba (Tokyo)
- Tsukiji Kojin (Tokyo)
- Tonki (Shibuya)
- Yokohama Ramen (Kanagawa)
- Watashi no Narutomaki (Chiba)
- Izumi Sushi (Chiba)
- Zentō (Osaka)
- Sushiroku (Kyoto)
- Fujimi Shokudo (Fuji)
- Gekkeikan (Hyogo)
- Miyabi (Aichi)
- Hikari (Okinawa)
- Gobisou (Okayama)
- Shoyu Ramen (Mie)
- Oshidori (Niigata)
- Toro Tori (Toyama)
- Rosa Cafe (Osaka)
- Lucky Lion (Fukuoka)
- Kamakura Ramen (Gunma)
What Are Some Of The Best Naruto Ramen Shops In The World?
Some people think Naruto Ramen is just another name for instant ramen, but this isn’t true at all.
Instead, these types of noodles are made from wheat flour instead of cornstarch, making them much more nutritious than regular ramen noodles.
There are actually several versions of Naruto Ramen available, including ones that use pork bone stock (which you can find on Amazon), vegetable stock, and even miso soup base.
Each type of Naruto Ramen comes with its own set of toppings, too, meaning you have lots of options when deciding what to put on top of your noodles.
The first place I ever tried Naruto Ramen was at Tokyo Narutoban, an authentic restaurant located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
Since then, I’ve sampled various other Naruto Ramen restaurants across the country. Here are my favorites…
1. Koboi Nozokko
This shop specializes in vegetarian Naruto ramen recipes, and they also serve vegan options if you prefer.
You can get their standard beef broth option and add any number of vegetables to make your ramen however you want.
Personally, I love adding carrots, mushrooms, onions, spinach, and soy sauce to mine.
I’m always impressed by how flavorful their bowls taste!
2. Sushi Rokuya
I went here last year while visiting Osaka, Japan, and had really wonderful ramen noodles.
They served up two different Naruto ramen variants, both of which were delicious.
My personal favorite was the Miso Pork Bone Broth variant, although the Vegetable Stock one wasn’t bad either.
3. Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Udon Shop
Another fantastic location near Shinjuku, this udon shop serves up three different Naruto ramen variations.
All of them include homemade udon noodles, and all of them come with a choice of meat or vegetable toppings.
If you don’t know what kind of toppings you want yet, they will happily let you take home whatever you decide on.
4. Matsuya
Matsuya is probably my favorite Japanese grocery store chain, and they sell a wide range of foods, including ramen.
Their Naruto ramen menu includes five different types of broth, plus a selection of toppings to choose from.
Some of my favorite combinations included shoyu (a spicy teriyaki sauce) and green onion, and tonkotsu (chicken broth) with garlic and ginger.
5. Takashimaya
Takashimaya is a large department store that sells everything from clothing to electronics.
However, they do offer a small section of their shelves dedicated to ramen, where you can buy pre-packaged Naruto ramen.
It’s very convenient because you don’t need to go anywhere else to pick up extra toppings, but I still recommend going to a local Naruto Ramen shop whenever possible.
What Are Some Of The Most Popular Naruto Ramen Flavors?
There are several different types of Naruto ramen on the market today, but the two most common ones are made by Sapporo Noodle Co., Inc. (SN) and Miso Ramen Company Ltd. (MR).
Both brands have their own unique variations on this classic dish.
SN offers seven different flavors of Naruto ramen, while MR has eight different offerings.
Here are some examples of what you can find at these restaurants.
Keep in mind that both companies offer more than just Naruto ramen — they also sell other varieties of instant ramen, along with fresh and frozen options.
So if you want something that doesn’t fall into any of these categories, don’t worry!
You will still be able to find it here.
- Himeji (Sapporo): The Himeji brand specializes in traditional Japanese cuisine, including sushi, tempura, and udon. They also make an excellent Naruto ramen. Their base is slightly sweet and spicy, with a hint of soy sauce.
- Miso (Tokyo): This company produces miso ramen from Kyoto City, Japan. Its signature product is a lightened up variant of the original, with less salt and oil added. It comes with a side of pickled vegetables and fried tofu.
- Kappa (Osaka): Kappa makes their Naruto ramen without pork bone stock and uses only vegetable broth instead. They add extra garlic, ginger, chives, green onion, and scallions to give the broth a nice kick.
- Shiroku (Kyoto): Shiroku takes its name from the city where it was founded, Kyoto City, Japan. Like Kappa, they use vegetarian beef stock for their base.
- Nori Ramen (Tokyo): Nori Ramen specializes in nori ramen, which adds a special seasoning to your food when eaten raw. In this case, they serve up a very tasty Naruto ramen.
- Takumi (Osaka): Takumi sells a wide array of products, including ramen, udon, and even instant breakfast items. Their Naruto ramen is a lighter variation on the original, featuring a tonkotsu (chicken meat) broth.
- Yama Yama (Kyoto): Yama Yama specializes in yakitori and udon. Their Naruto ramen features a thick layer of fat and a generous amount of bonito flakes. For a little heat, they also include sriracha sauce.
As you can see, there are really no wrong choices when ordering Naruto ramen online.
Each restaurant has its own unique spin on the dish, and all of them taste great.
If you decide to try one out, remember that you should always check the nutritional information before taking part.
What Are Some Of The Most Popular Naruto Ramen Toppings?
If you want a taste of Japan right now, Narutos are an excellent place to start.
There are numerous different variations on this theme, but here are just a few of them:
- Crispy Pork Belly (aka chashu pork)
- Spicy Tuna Roll (aka kai yaki)
- Sliced Scallions (aka takana)
- Green Onion (aka ichimi)
- Garnishes of Sesame Seeds, Shredded Nori, and/or Fried Egg Yolk (aka oshinko)
You can usually find these items at any grocery store near the Asian aisle, but if you don’t have access to fresh produce or meat, frozen versions are also available online.
Most shops will sell both types.
What is the origin of Naruto Ramen?
Some people think this dish was created by a certain Naruto Uzumaki from the manga/anime series “Naruto” (or “The Last”).
In fact, though, the name comes from the restaurant chain Tsuburaya Honten, which first started serving up this type of ramen back in 1996.
It was named after its founder Shigeo Tsuburaya who also brought us other famous anime titles including Gamera, Ultraman, and Robotech.
While it definitely sounds delicious, I haven’t had any yet.
However, my wife has made them several times before, and she says they taste great!
So if you want to try making your own Narutos, here’s what you need to know about how to make it.
Ingredients:
- 1 package of instant noodles ($0.69)
- 3 cups of water ($0.50)
- 4 pieces of dried seaweed ($0.99)
- A few slices of scallions ($0.10)
- Freshly ground black pepper ($0.20)
- Sriracha sauce ($0.79)
- Soft boiled eggs ($0.45 per dozen)
- Vegetables (such as carrots or peppers) ($0.35–$0.60 per pound)
- Chicken stock ($0.29 per quart)
- Lemon juice ($0.25)
- Garlic ($0.15 per clove)
- Salt ($0.05 per teaspoon)
- Shoyu soy sauce ($0.19 per cup)
- Mirin ($0.17 per 1 tablespoon)
- Wine vinegar ($0.12 per ounce)
- Oyster sauce ($0.13 per spoonful)
- Togarashi chili powder ($0.30 per tablespoon)
It doesn’t take much time at all to make these tasty little bowls of goodness!
Here’s an example of how we make our own.
Equipment
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 6 portions ramen noodles fresh or instant
- 2 eggs
- Marinated bamboo shoots
- Chopped green onion
For the soy sauce broth
- 3 l water
- 900 g chicken bones
- 450 g boneless pork shoulder
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 piece ginger
- 3 green onions
- 250 ml soy sauce
- 60 ml sake
- 2 tbsp mirin
For the chashu sauce
- 160 ml water
- 80 ml sake
- 80 ml soy sauce
- 3 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Place the chicken bones in a large pot with the water, pork, garlic, ginger, and green onions after giving them a cold water rinse.
- Bring to a boil while skimming off any surface-level dirt. Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for about two hours.
- As soon as you've added the soy sauce, sake, and mirin, cover the pot and let it boil until you're ready to serve.
- In a big pan, combine the ingredients for the chashu sauce. Over medium heat, add the meat and then bring the mixture to a boil. Once the meat is covered with a lid, lower the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, flipping the meat occasionally, until there is very little liquid remaining.
- Keep an eye on the liquid simmering until bubbles begin to develop while removing the lid.Once the sauce has completely covered the pork, take it from the pan and slice it thinly.
- When you're ready to serve, prepare the ramen as directed on the package. Add the noodles, pork, bamboo shoots, soy-marinated eggs, green onions, and broth to six bowls.
- Enjoy!
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.