A Japan tour wouldn't be complete without sampling the cuisine. Noodles, in particular, are national staples, coming in a wide range of forms in every geographic region. Here are some of the most popular types of Japanese noodles you'll likely encounter on your trip.

A Guide to Japanese Noodles for Your Japan Tour

1. Ramen

Ramen is the type you’re most likely to hear about in the U.S. The long, thin, and chewy noodles are made from wheat. They’re usually served in a hot broth, and each part of Japan has its own variety of ramen. Some common ingredients include sliced pork, bamboo shoots, seaweed, soft-boiled eggs, mushrooms, and onions. Ask about the area's signature ramen while on your Japan tour for an authentic food experience.

2. Udon

Udon are the thickest Japanese noodles. Made of wheat flour, they can be served either warm or cold. Kitsune udon, or “fox udon,” is topped with sweetened aburaage (deep-fried tofu pouches). Udon can also be served in miso soup with lots of vegetables, in curry, or just with green onions.

3. Soba

Soba is made from a combination of buckwheat and wheat flour and can be served hot or cold. After eating the noodles, many people enjoy drinking the water the noodles were cooked in. Soba is traditionally eaten on New Year’s Eve in Japan to promote longevity.

4. Sōmen

If you’re going on a Japan tour in the summer, sōmen noodles make for a refreshing treat. These tiny wheat noodles are usually chilled on ice after cooking, then dipped in sauce. Some restaurants also offer nagashi (flowing) somen, so named because the noodles are passed out in bamboo water slides, where you must be swift with your chopsticks to pick them up. 

5. Shirataki

These thin, translucent noodles are made of konjac yam. They’re usually sold in packets with a liquid that needs to be drained before the noodles are used. Since they generally lack flavor on their own, they’re used in soups and hot pots. With few calories, they're convenient for dieters.

Planning to take a Japan tour to try all of these noodles? Contact N & K Travel Service in Honolulu, HI. These professionals have organized tours in Japan for over 30 years and specialize in Okinawa trips. Visit their website or call (808) 739-9010 to receive a free estimate for your trip today.