How to read a ramen menu
Japanese words for broth, toppings, portions and ticket-machine signs.
Find the bowl first, then toppings and portion size. 味玉醤油ラーメン is shoyu ramen with a seasoned egg. 大盛 means large; 替玉 means another serving of noodles for soup you already have. These are different orders.
First, find the bowl
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ラーメン / らーめん | ramen | Ramen; spelling varies |
| 中華そば | chuka soba | A name for ramen, not buckwheat soba here |
| 醤油 / しょうゆ | shoyu | Soy-sauce seasoning |
| 塩 / しお | shio | Salt seasoning |
| 味噌 / みそ | miso | Miso seasoning |
| 豚骨 / とんこつ | tonkotsu | Pork-bone broth |
| 鶏 | tori | Chicken; read the rest of the dish name |
| 煮干し | niboshi | Dried fish for broth |
| つけ麺 / つけめん | tsukemen | Separate noodles and dipping broth |
| 汁なし | shiru nashi | No bowl of soup; usually mixed with sauce |
Shoyu, shio and miso describe seasoning, not all stock ingredients. They can contain pork, chicken or fish. JNTO ramen types.
Choose toppings and quantity
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 味玉 / 味付玉子 | ajitama / ajitsuke tamago | Seasoned egg |
| チャーシュー | chashu | Sliced meat, commonly pork; 鶏チャーシュー is chicken |
| 特製 | tokusei | Special version; check which extras |
| 海苔 / のり | nori | Seaweed sheets |
| ねぎ / ネギ | negi | Green onion |
| メンマ | menma | Seasoned bamboo shoots |
| 並 / 並盛 | nami / namimori | Regular portion |
| 大盛 / 大盛り | omori | Large portion |
| 小 / 小盛 | sho / komori | Small portion |
| 替玉 | kaedama | Extra noodles for existing soup |
| 半替玉 | han-kaedama | Half refill, where offered |
| トッピング | topping | Add-ons may not buy a complete bowl |
Real menu examples: Rokurinsha English menu / Japanese menu. ICHIRAN’s kaedama guide explains why you should save soup for a refill.
Read one example
味玉醤油ラーメン 大盛
Large shoyu ramen with a seasoned egg.
This does not establish broth ingredients, noodle weight or exact toppings. Example labels, not a real shop’s menu or current prices.
Useful signs
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 売切 / 売り切れ | urikire | Sold out |
| 限定 | gentei | Limited quantity, season or serving time |
| 現金 | genkin | Cash |
| 交通系IC | kotsukei IC | Transit IC payment |
| おつり / つり銭 | otsuri / tsurisen | Change |
| 返却 / 取消 | henkyaku / torikeshi | Return / cancel |
| 領収書 | ryoshusho | Receipt |
An unlit button does not always mean sold out: the machine may need payment or another selection first. Follow labels and ask if unclear.
Using a ticket machine
食券 Meal tickets
- Read queue instructions before approaching the machine. Ask 食券を先に買いますか？ — Do I buy the meal ticket first?
- Find the bowl and payment symbols. Carry ¥1,000 notes and coins: some compact machines accept only ¥1,000 notes; other models accept larger notes or cashless payment.
- On a button machine, insert money then press the dish button. On a touchscreen, follow its order/payment sequence. Look for an English option if present.
- Collect every ticket and your change. Use the change/return control if cash remains.
- Hand tickets to staff when directed and wait for seating instructions. A receipt is separate from the meal ticket.
- If you chose wrongly, stop and ask staff. Do not buy another ticket to fix an uncertain first order.
Official sources checked 11 October 2026 (JST), online; no visit. JNTO ordering sequence · GLORY example model specification
Four phrases worth saving
食券を先に買いますか？
Do I buy the meal ticket first?
おすすめはどれですか？
Which do you recommend?
これは辛いですか？
Is this spicy?
すみません、間違えて買いました。
Sorry, I bought the wrong one.
Editorial translations for travelers. A short phrase or dish name cannot establish allergy safety.