50+ Best Ramen Toppings for the Best Ramen Noodles

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An all encompassing list of the best ramen toppings, from your favorite jammy ramen soft-boiled eggs to simple vegetable garnishes! All the inspiration you need to create an amazing bowl of ramen.

In this ramen guide, we talk all about the types of ramen, basic cooking techniques and some popular things to add to ramen. This post will go in depth on all the good stuff to put in ramen, to include some fun ideas you never thought of!

This list of what to put in ramen noodles is not only good for homemade ramen, but can be used to make the best instant ramen noodles! It's a perfect way to spice them up 🙂

Jump to:

• Types of Ramen
• Japanese Traditional Ramen Toppings
• Vegetarian Toppings
• Meat/Non-Vegetarian Toppings
• Sauces and Garnishes
• How to Make Ramen at Home
• 💬 Comments

Types of Ramen

I'm not going to go into detail and we discuss most of these already in our ramen guide, but for quick reference, here are the most common types of ramen (scroll down to the bottom of the post for a list of ramen recipes right here on the site!):

• Shio Ramen - a lighter broth (typically chicken broth) seasoned with sea salt
• Shoyu Ramen - a clear brown broth usually made from chicken or vegetables and seasoned with Japanese soy sauce
• Tonkotsu Ramen - uses a rich, fatty broth with a creamy texture made from pork bones. This is the most common kind served in US ramen restaurants
• Miso Ramen - a tonkotsu broth (or chicken) seasoned with miso paste for a rich umami flavor
• Tantanmen - made with a creamy sesame broth and spicy ground pork (similar to dan dan noodles but with broth)
• Chicken Ramen - made with chicken stock instead of pork broth, this is typically a lighter ramen
• Instant Ramen - of course we can't forget the ubiquitous instant ramen you buy at the store

Not to go too much in depth, but ramen noodles are typically made with wheat flour and use an alkaline water (along with salt) to give the noodles their bouncy texture. They can be either thick noodles, or thinner curlier noodles, depending on the type of ramen.

Japanese Traditional Ramen Toppings

While ramen is amazing with a wide variety of fun toppings, I want to cover the Japanese traditional ramen toppings first (and some of the most common ramen toppings):

• Ramen Eggs: My all time favorite ramen topping. A ramen egg is a soft boiled egg marinated in a seasoning of soy sauce, mirin and sake. The middle is beautiful and jammy - they are perfection. You can also substitute theses poached eggs for extra gooey goodness.
• Chashu Pork: Another favorite of mine. It is a think slice of fatty pork typically slow cooked until tender then crisped before adding it to the ramen. It can also be made with chicken, beef or duck.
• Fish cake: Called Kamaboko, this is the red and white steamed fish cake made with a white fish paste. It is faintly reminiscent of imitation crab meat - I love it!
• Bamboo shoots (menma): I teach you how to make menma in this shoyu ramen recipe. Traditionally, menma is basically fermented bamboo shoots, however, in my version it is more of a quick pickle.
• Nori/Seaweed: Nori is basically just dried sheets of seaweed. It adds a wonderful umami flavor to the ramen.
• Green onions (scallions): I don't think green onions need an explanation. They are interchanged with scallions also.

Now, there is Japanese ramen that uses some other toppings, but these are the basic OG toppings. I'll talk more about the others below.

Vegetarian Toppings

If you are looking to make a vegetarian ramen, or even just trying to get more veggies in your diet, these are some great options:

• Corn: I love the sweetness corn adds to ramen - especially when using it in a lighter chicken ramen.
• Shiitake mushrooms: Add a meatiness of earthiness. If they're dried, you'll want to soak and slice them before adding to the soup.
• Wood ear mushrooms: Also add a nice earthiness to the ramen.
• Shredded carrots
• Shredded cabbage
• Kimchi (use vegan kimchi if trying to keep vegan): Spicy fermented goodness, it may seem odd to use but kimchi goes really well in some types of ramen!
• Bean sprouts
• Spinach/bok choy (any leafy greens)
• Pickled ginger: the thin sliced pickled ginger (pink or white both work great) are great to add a tanginess.
• Radish: Regular daikon, pickled daikon, or even red radishes work here.
• Garlic/shallots: Chopped fresh garlic or shallots can add a astringent flavor (in a good way). You can also sauté or make confit garlic to use.
• Peas
• Tofu (technically not a vegetable, but what the hell): use fried cubes or cubes of fresh firm tofu (soft will fall apart).
• Sliced chilies (chili peppers): From sliced red peppers to sliced habaneros, whatever chilies float your boat!
• Portabella mushrooms: You can use whole slices that have been cooked or chop it up and sauté it before adding it. It can take the place of meat.
• Edamame

Meat/Non-Vegetarian Toppings

• Kakuni (Japanese braised pork belly): This braised pork belly is packed with flavor and adds an amazing richness to the ramen. Another topping that I LOVE!
• Roasted or shredded chicken: If you have leftover chicken, shred or chop it up and add it to any bowl of ramen
• Shredded/ground pork
• Shredded/ground beef
• Chicken katsu: Top it with a fried chicken cutlet (you can use pork too). A local place we go does this and we love it!
• Duck: Pieces of cooked duck breast, or shredded duck from duck confit or roasted duck will all work great.
• Shrimp, Clams, Oysters, Crab: Any seafood works great to make this a seafood based ramen. Try a can of smoked oysters or mussels!
• Spam: Now we're talking. If you thought spam was only for spam and eggs, boy are you wrong. Dice it, brown it, and throw it in some ramen for a special treat!
• Turkey: Many of us aren't eating turkey all year round, but when the season comes, this is a great leftover turkey idea!
• Braised short ribs: you can use leftover braised short ribs for ramen too.
• Oxtails: Now this is ramen decadence - rich, meaty oxtails make a great addition to ramen.
• Fish balls: You can buy them in most Asian markets. Choose whatever kind you want and throw them in!
• Firm fish (lean): Make sure the fish is lean so it hold together in the ramen.

Sauces and Garnishes

I love to use some of these sauces and garnishes as ramen bar toppings if I do a "make your own" ramen bar at home. Let people add what they like!

• Sriracha or chili sauce: I'm a sucker for sriracha, but use any hot sauce you'd like! You can use this as a dipping sauce for your meat too 🙂
• Chili oil: I really like to use this La Yu chili oil, but you can use any chili oil you like for an added kick.
• Fried garlic: Just a sprinkle of fried garlic (or even shallots) adds a slight crunch and amazing flavor.
• Sesame oil: Sesame oil adds a delicious nutty flavor - but use it sparingly! It is string.
• Shichimi Togarashi: A Japanese chili powder, I LOVE sprinkling a little of this on my ramen.
• Sesame seeds: A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a nuttiness and nice texture.
• Furikake: Furikake is a Japanese condiment of ground nori, sesame seeds, suage, salt, bonito flakes and seasonings that is often used to sprinkle on rice and other dishes. It's delicious.
• Gochujang/gochugaru: Gochujang is a Korean fermented chili paste that is so so so delicious. Mix in 1-2 teaspoons when making your ramen broth for an amazing flavor packed spicy kick. Gochugaru is a Korean chili powder.
• Miso paste: Miso is a fermented soybean paste that adds an amazing burst of umami. Stir some into your ramen broth while making it.
• Grated ginger: Add a nice freshness and bite.
• Black Garlic: Black garlic (basically burned garlic but don't worry, it tastes delicious) is drizzled into ramen bowls to add an earthiness to the bowl. You can also use black garlic oil if you can find it.
• Coconut milk: You can pour in a little touch of coconut milk to make an extra creamy ramen!
• American cheese: Hear me out. A melted piece of American cheese on top of your ramen will change your life. And once you know I'm right, you will NEED to try this rabokki recipe.

How to Make Ramen at Home

We have a plethora of ramen recipes on the site where you can go make your own ramen:

• Duck ramen
• Instant Pot pork ramen
• Korean ramen
• Shio ramen
• Shoyu ramen
• Birria ramen
• Tantanmen
• Spicy chicken ramen
• Miso ramen
• Turkey ramen
• Curry ramen

In short, you can use any ramen toppings you'd like on your amen. Get creative! Leave a comment below and let me know what your favorite topping is!