Ramen
Descended from Chinese wheat noodle soups, it became a Japanese national dish in the 20th century.
Guide · Noodle soups
Difference between ramen and pho: two soups, two cultures
Broth, noodles, toppings, how to eat it: Japanese ramen and Vietnamese phở only share the bowl.
10 min read
In short
The answer in a nutshell
Ramen is a Japanese noodle soup of Chinese inspiration; phở was born in northern Vietnam in the early 20th century. Ramen noodles use wheat and alkaline water (kansui); phở uses flat rice noodles. Ramen broth is built from base, tare and aroma oil; phở broth is clear and scented with charred spices. Ramen arrives composed; phở is finished at the table with herbs and lime. Iwao is a ramen-ya and does not serve phở.
Starting point
“An Asian soup with noodles”
Both arrive in a steaming bowl, yet they come from two countries and two ways of thinking about soup: ramen is about intensity, phở about freshness and balance.
New to ramen? Start with what is ramen?
Comparison
Ramen and pho at a glance
General trends; every region has its variations.
| Criterion | Ramen (Japan) | Phở (Vietnam) |
|---|---|---|
| Noodles | Wheat + alkaline water: yellowish, springy | Flat rice noodles: soft, translucent |
| Broth | Base + tare + aroma oil | Clear, charred spices |
| Eating | Composed in the kitchen, eaten fast | Seasoned at the table with herbs |
Yellow springy noodles = ramen; flat white rice noodles = phở.
Roots
Two origins, one ancestor?
Both belong to the wide Asian family of noodle soups.
Phở
Born in northern Vietnam in the early 20th century, around beef broth and rice noodles.
Chinese noodle soup
The direct ancestor of ramen; for phở, influences are debated.
Ramen kept the alkaline wheat noodle but Japan built its own bowl architecture.
Read our history of ramen.
Noodles
Noodles: alkaline wheat vs rice
Ramen noodles
Wheat flour and kansui give a yellow tint and a springy bite.
Bánh phở
Flat rice noodles, soft and translucent.
In the mouth
Ramen noodles are a lead actor; phở noodles let spices and herbs shine.
The heart
The broth: the real dividing line
Both take hours, but they don’t aim for the same thing.
Ramen: broth + tare + aroma oil
A seasoning tare sits at the bottom of the bowl, broth is poured over, oil scents the surface.
Details in homemade ramen broth: the 3 layers.
Phở: clear broth with charred spices
Beef or chicken broth scented with star anise, cinnamon, ginger and charred onion.
Ramen varies by seasoning
Shoyu, miso or spicy: the tare defines the bowl.
See shoyu vs miso and what is tantanmen?
Ritual
Toppings and eating ritual
Ramen arrives composed
Eat it hot and fast while the noodles are firm.
Phở is finished at the table
Herbs, lime, bean sprouts and sauces added by each guest.
Chopsticks, spoon, slurping
Slurping is welcome in Japan; phở customs are freer.
Meat-free
Vegetarian ramen or vegetarian pho?
Both exist: phở chay uses vegetable broth; vegetarian ramen relies on miso, soy milk and sesame.
Read what is vegetarian ramen? — at Iwao, try the Yasai Miso.
Guide
Ramen or pho: which one?
Start from your craving.
- Rich and intense
Ramen, especially miso.
- Light and herbal
Phở, or a clear shoyu ramen.
Then read how to choose your ramen.
In Marseille
Where to eat real ramen in Marseille?
At Iwao, rue Sainte (13001): homemade broths, five signature ramens (Shoyu, Miso, Yasai Miso, Asari, Tantanmen) plus a kids’ ramen, in a Tokyo-alley setting. Rated 4.6/5 from 755 Google reviews. Iwao is a ramen-ya and does not serve phở.
More on our authentic ramen in Marseille and the menu.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is pho a kind of ramen?
No: phở uses rice noodles and a spiced clear broth; ramen uses alkaline wheat noodles and a tare-seasoned broth.Read also: what is ramen?
Which is lighter?
Usually phở; a clear shoyu ramen is the lightest ramen.
Can you drink the broth?
Yes, in both cases; with ramen you don’t have to finish it.Read also: how to eat ramen
Are they gluten-free?
Ramen is not (wheat noodles); phở noodles are rice, but check the sauces.
What about udon and soba?
Thick wheat noodles and buckwheat noodles, served in a light dashi broth.Read also: ramen, udon and soba
Does Iwao serve pho?
No, Iwao is a ramen-ya.
Explore
Read also
More guides from the Journal.
Continue?
Want to taste the difference yourself?
Come and try a homemade broth at Iwao, rue Sainte.