Ramen is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining things to eat, though we may be biased. In fact, when you master the not-so-subtle technique of slurping, it becomes more enjoyable the more bowls of ramen you consume.
Ramen has dangers of its own. When should you handle the toppings? The scalding hot soup might burn your lips, the slick noodles can slip off your chopsticks and produce major splashback.
In order to ensure that you always have the greatest, most genuine experience when you eat, we have amassed thousands of hours of practice as authorities on the subject of ramen eating (it’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it).
How to eat ramen with chopsticks?
The term “ramen” has swiftly evolved from being connected to low-quality instant noodles to some of the top restaurants in the world. Traditional ramen has roots in Japanese fast cuisine and is supposed to be consumed quickly while being very fresh and scorching hot. To commemorate the long-standing customs that go into the precise preparation of the ramen, an authentic bowl of ramen should be consumed with chopsticks.
Step 1 – Hold the Chopsticks With Your Dominant Hand
Using your dominant hand when eating with chopsticks is crucial if you want to eat ramen like Naruto. It will be easier to handle and learn how to use them if that’s on your right or left.
Try gripping the sticks with your non-dominant hand once you’ve mastered it; you’ll realize how difficult it is to coordinate and obtain the ideal grip. If using the hand you use the most feels that way, training with that hand will make it flawless.
Don’t Worry if You Can’t Do It – You’ll Practice
Don’t give up just yet, even if it may seem impossible right now. The next bowl of Japanese noodles is yours to keep, even if you don’t have to eat it with chopsticks. Every meal is an opportunity to learn how to use these eating tools, in fact.
Try picking anything up with your chopsticks, even if it’s a piece of fruit, to gain extra practice. That way, the next time you want to impress the employees at a Japanese restaurant, you’ll feel like a rock star.
Related – How to cut bok choy for ramen?
Step 2 – Rest One Chopstick on the Knuckle of Your Ring Finger and the Crease Between Your Thumb and Index Finger
The position of the bottom utensil is the first skill to learn. This one doesn’t move while you’re eating; it shouldn’t. Place it first in the space between your thumb and index finger when you take one.
Put your ring finger on top of your upper knuckle by placing it underneath the stick. On the upper side of the finger, this knuckle is situated closer to the nail. Now place the stick on your ring finger and sandwich it between your thumb and index finger.
The second stick should be placed on the top knuckle of your middle finger using your non-dominant hand. Your index finger should inevitably go toward the stick in an effort to secure it. It would be the next move if it didn’t.
As you begin eating, the second utensil will move and seize the noodles.
Related – How to cook top ramen in the microwave?
Step 3 – Hold the Second Chopstick With Your Index Finger and Thumb
Lower the index finger to keep the second stick securely in place after placing it on your middle finger. It’s essential to perform this several times to become familiar with your dominant hand’s natural grip.
To more securely hold the upper utensil, use the tip of your thumb. Try to link the points of both sticks multiple times before collecting food after you’ve seen that it is now mobile.
Step 4 – Keep the Bottom Utensil Stationary When You Eat Ramen
During eating, the bottom utensil must remain stationary. If you drop it, it’s okay, but holding it still will allow you to grasp your meal perfectly. Consider it to be the foundation, whilst the higher utensil is comparable to a food gatherer.
Although metaphors may seem foolish, if they may help you in this situation, that’s excellent. The upper utensil will move farther away when you grab the noodles before coming back together with the bottom utensil to tighten the hold.
It’s similar to using your hand to grip something; to hold the object in question, your fingers must first open and then shut.
Try Holding Your Chopsticks With Helpers
To gain a firm grasp on their utensils, those with Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, or unsteady hands can utilize plastic aids. These assistants are also the ideal resources for those who haven’t quite grasped the idea of grasping the sticks yet; you’re also right.
Chopstick aids, which are like training wheels for a bicycle, are available on Amazon for a very affordable price. Use them to enjoy some delectable noodle dishes.
Step 5 – Slurp the Noodles and Hold the Ends With the Chopsticks While Slurping
Prepare to slurp them when you create this at home (Ichiran’s instant noodle kit is recommended). Of course, you don’t have to slurp if it upsets the folks in your home, but if you eat this at a Japanese restaurant, it’s strongly advised. You’ll notice that it will be simpler to put the bundle of noodles in your mouth; just remember to use a napkin.
Slurping Ramen Noodles Is Common in Japan
Noodles in ramen soup are wet, slick, and difficult to hold with any utensil. Because of this, Japanese people eat noisily, slurp every piece of noodle, and even elevate the bowl to finish the soup.
Slurping is another indication of good cuisine, and if you do it in front of the cook who prepared your meal, they will likely consider it a compliment. You may eat as noisily as you like as long as you don’t make a mess since in Japan, slurping is a sign of satisfaction.
Related – How to cook tofu for ramen?
Step 6 – Use a Spoon for the Soup
Take a break from using chopsticks to eat this Japanese delicacy and dunk a spoon into the soup instead. While eating ramen and other varieties of noodles with broth, this is another another utensil that is frequently utilized.
By doing so, you’ll be able to complete your dinner and even raise your noodle bunch by the ends.
You Can Also Slurp the Soup From the Bowl
If you season your noodles overly spicy, the soup will be very hot and difficult to consume. If this occurs, you can suck the soup to cool it off and control how much spice you eat.
What Equipment Do I Need to Eat Ramen?
To consume ramen the Japanese manner, you require three key items.
1. Ramen Bowl
Depending on how they want their customers to experience their ramen, many ramen restaurants in Japan will offer the dish in bowls of varying sizes and forms. One Japanese ceramics designer provides a list of at least seven different bowl forms that may be further molded into various versions, all of which are intended to highlight the greatest qualities of the contents of the bowl.
Your ramen bowl should, in general, be large enough to accommodate the typical 17-ounce portion of toppings, noodles, and broth.
Of course, you can fit more food in a larger dish. Though it varies from shop to shop, many ramen cooks strive for three-quarters ramen to one bowl. You want it to be easy to enjoy the ramen’s appearance when you’re sitting back from the bowl, but without running the danger of spilling anything.
Although you may buy ramen bowls made of plastic, melamine, steel, and even wood, ceramic is the most common type. Ramen will stay hottest in ceramic bowls for the longest time, but because they are hotter to the touch, use caution while handling!
2. Chopsticks
No matter how adept you are with chopsticks, we advise using them when eating ramen. Ramen noodles may be lifted out of the bowl and gripped tightly with chopsticks for appropriate aeration (and admiration).
To feed the entire length of the noodles into your mouth, use them almost like a two-pronged lever. The noodles won’t fly around and splatter you in the face when you slurp as a result of doing this.
You truly are a ramen hero if you can slurp with a fork because you can’t pick up noodles with a spoon alone, and if you can accomplish either of those things, you can’t.
3. Ramen Soup Spoon
A chirirenge, or more usually just renge, is the name given to the traditional ramen spoon in Japanese. It means “falling lotus petal.” It has a deep, flat surface, and the handle has a groove that leads to the base.
While the groove on the handle is really a spot for you to insert your finger so you may squeeze the spoon at the end between your index and your thumb, the bend in the handle is for resting it on the edge of the bowl. You may have also seen the otama jakushi, a different kind of spoon that resembles a shallow wooden ladle and has a longer handle.
Chopsticks go in the right hand while the spoon goes in the left when eating ramen. By maintaining the spoon below your trail of noodles as you remove them out of the bowl, you may utilize it almost like a safety net. If you drop them, the spoon will get them rather than the soup and the person on the other side.
Some individuals prefer to assemble a miniature mouthful of ramen in the spoon by piling the broth, noodles, and a small amount of topping onto it before taking a bite.
Related – How to cook ramen noodles in the microwave?
Related questions
Q: How do I know when my noodles are done?
A: The best way is to taste test a noodle to make sure it is cooked through. If you’re using instant ramen, the noodles should be done within 3-4 minutes of boiling.
Q: How do I keep my chopsticks from slipping?
A: The most important thing is to practice and become comfortable with holding and using chopsticks. Additionally, you can wrap a rubber band around the middle part of your chopsticks to provide some extra grip if needed.
Q: How can I avoid making a mess while eating ramen with chopsticks?
A: Practice makes perfect! Use smaller amounts of noodles at once and take your time separating them in the bowl before transferring them to your plate or bowl. This will help reduce the amount of noodles that end up all over the place. Additionally, you may also want to use a spoon for larger items such as seaweed or green onions.
Q: How should I clean my chopsticks after eating?
A: Cleaning your chopsticks is just as important as using them correctly. After each use, wash your chopsticks with soap and warm water and dry them thoroughly. Store them in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight to ensure their longevity.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to eat ramen with chopsticks, there’s no excuse not to enjoy this delicious meal! Be sure to slurp away and don’t be afraid to get messy – it’s all part of the experience. And if you’re ever in Japan, be sure to try some authentic ramen at one of the many roadside stalls. Thanks for reading and bon appetit!
Learning how to eat ramen with chopsticks is not difficult, and it can be a lot of fun. With the tips we have provided, you should be able to enjoy your ramen in no time. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at Angelo’s Burgers. We would love to hear from you!