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Food & konbini

Japan Ramen Ordering: 3 Words Locals Use

Three words help at ramen shops in Japan. Katame means firm noodles, kaedama is an extra portion of noodles for your leftover soup, and at tsukemen shops you can ask for soup-wari to thin the dipping soup so you can drink it.

By Ready in JapanUpdated 4 official sources

The 23-second video, with Hako. Open on YouTube

The 3 things to know

  1. Katame: firm noodles

    Katame means firm noodles. Many pork-broth ramen shops offer it; at Hakata-style tonkotsu shops you may be asked how firm you want them (katame is firm, futsu is regular, yawarakame is soft).

  2. Kaedama: extra noodles

    Kaedama is a second portion of noodles added to the soup you have left, usually for a small extra fee. Order it while there is still soup in the bowl.

  3. Soup-wari: thin the tsukemen dip

    Tsukemen is dipping ramen. After finishing the noodles, ask for soup-wari and staff add hot broth to your concentrated dipping soup so you can drink it. Some shops have a self-service pot.

Quick answers

Does kaedama cost extra?

Usually a small extra fee, but the amount is set by each shop.

Is soup-wari free?

Usually but not always. Soup-wari is offered by many tsukemen shops but not all, and terms vary by shop.

Can I choose how firm my noodles are at any ramen shop?

No. The choice is common at Hakata-style tonkotsu shops and many copies, but many other ramen styles don't offer it. Firmness vocabulary also isn't standardised.

Read the video transcript

Ordering ramen in Japan? Three words locals use.

One. Katame means firm noodles. Many pork-broth ramen shops offer it.

Two. Kaedama means extra noodles for your leftover soup, usually for a small fee.

Three. Tsukemen is dipping ramen. Ask for soup-wari to thin the dip so you can drink it.

Now slurp away.

Sources & how we checked

The tips on this page were checked against these official pages:

  1. en.ichiran.comIchiran: order form and kae-dama ordering system
  2. haveagood-holiday.comHave a Good Holiday: Ramen in Japan
  3. ana.co.jpANA Japan Travel Planner: Fukuoka
  4. japan-food.guideJapan Food Guide: Tsukemen
Updated
Video
23 seconds, made by Ready in Japan
Good to know
Rules can vary by place. Follow local signs and staff.

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