Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup dish that has become popular around the world. A steaming bowl of ramen contains wheat noodles served in a flavorful broth, usually made from meat or fish stock and seasoned with soy sauce or miso. Toppings might include sliced pork, a soft-boiled egg, green onions, seaweed, and bamboo shoots.

Traditional ramen comes from specialized restaurants where chefs spend years perfecting their recipes, particularly the broth, which might simmer for many hours to develop deep, complex flavors. Different regions of Japan have their own ramen styles: thick, rich tonkotsu from Kyushu, or lighter shoyu ramen from Tokyo.

The word also refers to instant ramen: inexpensive dried noodles that cook in just a few minutes after adding hot water. College students and busy families often keep instant ramen in their pantries because it's quick, filling, and costs very little. While convenient, instant ramen tastes quite different from restaurant ramen and lacks the fresh ingredients and carefully crafted broth that make traditional ramen memorable.