What is Authentic Ramen?
Most people don’t understand what the big deal is about ramen.
If you ever had Oodles of Noodles in college or from the grocery store the concept of purchasing it at a restaurant might seem ridiculous.
In this blog post we are going to explain what the big deal is about Japanese ramen.
What is Ramen?
What is in Ramen?
What is authentic Ramen?
Where is the best Ramen in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
What is Ramen?
Simply put, it's a dish originally from China of thin noodles and broth. When we talk about Japanese Ramen we have to talk about how it is known today in modern times.
Japanese Ramen has come a long way from 1800s China. It appeared in Japan in the early 20th century after the Meiji Restoration period.
Starting in Yokohama, Ramen made its way throughout Japan landing in Japanese restaurants all over Japan by 1910.
It is known throughout Japan as a comfort food and a street food. Today a bowl of Ramen has thousands of variations. You may have heard of:
Tonkotsu Ramen
Shoyu Ramen
Shio Ramen
Miso Ramen
Then there are custom blends of the dish prepared locally like Ichi Kaku Ramen prepared by Chef Yohei in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
What is in Ramen?
Ramen contains a broth, thin wheat noodles(not like soba) and toppings. Those Ramen toppings can include:
Bean sprouts
Boiled Egg
Bamboo Shoots
Pickled Ginger
Narutomaki (pink and white fish cake)
Now for the shocker…
RAMEN IS NOT SOUP!
I know. But it’s not. The broth is not to be consumed totally the same way we would drink tomato or chicken noodle soup.
Think of it like a bath for the noodles and the veggies. Of course you can drink it…some of it, but it is not expected that you drink all of the broth that comes with your Ramen.
What is authentic Ramen?
To find authentic Ramen you must first look for someone trained to make it, like Chef Yohei at Ichi Kaku Japanese Street Food. Broths flavored differently are available as well as the signature Ichi Kaku Ramen.
In just 6 months he is coming to be known as the best Ramen Chef in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His custom Ichi Kaku Ramen and other flavors he offers would be considered authentic Ramen.
Ramen Shops usually have the same suppliers worldwide. Choosing a high quality noodle and making the broth from scratch are enough to qualify.
Some Ramen restaurants serve Japanese Ramen with homemade noodles. This is another conversation altogether.
This is considered authentic Ramen but the taste is much like the difference between boxed mac and cheese vs mom’s baked in the oven mac and cheese.
Basically Homemade and authentic are two different categories but both are delicious depending on what you are in the mood for.
Where is the best Ramen in Fayetteville, North Carolina?
There are at least a dozen Japanese food restaurants in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Before opening Ichi Kaku Chef Yohei worked at another local restaurant.
According to Google Reviews Ichi Kaku is fast becoming the best Japanese Food in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Good friends with other owners who offer sushi (which Chef Yohei does not offer as of yet) they agree. Ichi Kaku brings a new vibe to the local dining experience.
Just a few months shy of 2 years, Ichi Kaku Japanese Street Food was able to make an impression on Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Thank you Fayetteville!
Chef Yohei operates Ichi Kaku Japanese Street Food and is open 7 days.
Please check Google for periodic closure to restock.
In the Roses and Food Lion shopping center.
Down the street from Cape Fear Botanical Garden and PWC!
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