Ramen Type
Shoyu Ramen
What is Shoyu Ramen?
Shoyu ramen is the original Tokyo ramen — a clear to amber-brown broth seasoned with soy sauce (shoyu) tare and built on a chicken or chicken-pork base. The broth is light enough to be transparent yet packed with umami from tare, aromatic vegetables, and sometimes dried fish (dashi). It is arguably the most widely recognized ramen style in Japan, served everywhere from street stalls to Michelin-starred establishments.
Toppings lean classic: chashu, narutomaki (fish cake), menma, nori, and soft-boiled egg. The noodles are typically wavy, medium-thickness alkaline noodles that capture the broth beautifully.
Flavor Profile
How to Make Shoyu Ramen
- 1
Prepare the Stock
Simmer whole chicken and pork neck bones with aromatics (ginger, green onion, garlic) for 4–6 hours. Skim regularly to maintain clarity.
- 2
Make Shoyu Tare
Reduce soy sauce, mirin, sake, and kombu over low heat until slightly syrupy. This concentrated seasoning is the soul of shoyu ramen.
- 3
Assemble
Combine 2 tbsp tare with 12 oz of hot clear stock. Cook wavy ramen noodles, add to bowl, and top with chashu, narutomaki, menma, and nori.
Where to Buy in the US
- Asian Grocery Stores
- H Mart and Mitsuwa stock Kikkoman shoyu tare kits and fresh wavy noodles.
- Online
- Sun Noodle ships authentic Tokyo-style wavy noodles to select US zip codes.
- Whole Foods
- Carries Meiji or Yamasa soy sauce suitable for tare, plus fresh noodle options.
- Specialty
- Korin NYC and Japanese specialty importers stock high-quality artisan shoyu.
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Shoyu Ramen Essentials
Sun Noodle Tokyo Shoyu Ramen Kit
Wavy Tokyo-style noodles and shoyu tare — the definitive home kit.
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Yamasa Organic Shoyu Tare Concentrate
High-quality Japanese soy sauce tare for scratch shoyu ramen.
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Nissin Raoh Shoyu Instant Ramen
Premium instant shoyu from Nissin — air-dried noodles, no frying.
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