Ramen’s surge in popularity has fuelled a new wave of cookbooks dedicated to making ramen at home. Without a doubt, you’ll find the best recipes in dedicated and well-researched books written by ramen-loving chefs.
Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to develop their skills further, making Japan’s favourite soul food just got easier.
Here are my recommended 15 best ramen cookbooks.
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How I chose these ramen cookbooks
I ranked these books mainly by Amazon ratings, using Goodreads as a tie-breaker. I also weighed relevance—dedicated ramen cookbooks come first, followed by top Japanese cookbooks that include strong ramen sections.
I grouped the list into four sections: the top-rated ramen-only books, standout Japanese cookbooks with ramen, the next-best ramen-only books, and books that are no longer available in print (but can still be found as Kindle or secondhand).
Before adding any book, I checked that it was by a real author or a reputable publisher, and cross-referenced it against publisher listings and other reliable sources. After living in Japan for a decade, I also checked each book’s contents to ensure the recipes and techniques presented ramen authentically.
I have not included a few newer releases yet, as I want to see more reviews before ranking them.
Ramen stories from Japan
Before we get into the books, here’s why ramen matters to me after a decade living in Japan.
My first ramen love in Osaka
When I first moved to Japan in 2014, I fell in love with a local Osaka ramen restaurant’s aka miso tonkotsu ramen. For the uninitiated, that translates to spicy red miso tonkotsu (pork bone) broth ramen.
My wife told me that the Japanese never eat the soup; in fact, they often have only a few spoonfuls. I hadn’t eaten ramen much before, and in the early years, I ate the whole lot!
The collage photo of me above is from an old Instagram post of me experiencing my favourite ramen at the time. The photo in the article header is also of the same miso tonkotsu ramen set with chahan (Japanese-style fried rice) and gyoza.
Ramen experiences in Japan, I recommend
If you’re a ramen fanatic, the kind of die-hard who’ll do anything for a bowl, go to Sapporo. I’ve eaten some of the best ramen of my life there, and for me it’s the best ramen city in Japan—though I’ll admit I’m biased, because miso is my favourite.
Still, not everyone’s going to make the trip up to Hokkaido, so here are a few more hands-on ramen adventures in easier-to-reach cities.
- Two types of ramen, gyoza, and more treats at the Osaka ramen class in the photo
- Take your pick and choose your favourite flavour from these classes in Tokyo
- Try four mini bowls of ramen from different regions and flavours on this ramen tour
And if you love cooking, you’ll also find ramen and noodle classes (and a lot more) in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
Now, if you’d like to start making ramen at home, here are the cookbooks I recommend—ranked and grouped below.
Let’s Make Ramen! A Comic Book Cookbook
By: Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan
Colourful, playful and instructive are just some of the words to describe Let’s Make Ramen! A Comic Book Cookbook. Ideal for beginners and seasoned chefs, it’s a must-have book for ramen-lovers.
Hugh Amano and Sarah Becan have created a beautiful work of art, which makes cooking ramen at home fun and reveals the story and history of one of Japan’s most iconic dishes.
- Engaging and educational, it includes more than 40 ramen recipes and covers stocks and broths, meats and accompaniments
- Learn how to make quick and more complex recipes with easy-to-digest hand-drawn pictures
- Ramen meets graphic novel in this beautifully illustrated and entertaining cookbook
Ramen: Japanese Noodles and Small Dishes
By: Tove Nilsson
Ramen: Japanese Noodles and Small Dishes brings traditional Japanese and contemporary recipes from throughout the world. Discover how to make broths, sauces, noodles and toppings before putting it all together to make ramen dishes.
Tove Nilsson’s research for the book spanned ramen restaurants from Tokyo’s backstreets, LA’s hottest spots and London’s chic, laid-back establishments.
- 50 mouth-watering recipes, including homemade broths and noodles, to complementary side dishes
- Clear and easy-to-follow recipes with stylish, mouth-watering photos
- Includes ingredients with recommended substitutes, with measurements in metric and imperial
Ramen Obsession: The Ultimate Bible for Mastering Japanese Ramen
By: Naomi Imatome-Yun and Robin Donovan
Ramen Obsession: The Ultimate Bible for Mastering Japanese Ramen is an easy-to-read and well-organised cookbook. From traditional Japanese regional to modern interpretations around the world, it contains delicious recipes for all tastes.
Over 130 ramen recipes covering classic broths – tonkotsu (pork bone), shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt), miso – and more, plus side dishes.
- An easy-to-follow six-step process for making ramen: Broth/soup, tare (sauce), oils and fat, noodles, toppings and the bowl
- Discover Japan’s diverse regional ramen flavours and learn how to make them
- A comprehensive ramen cookbook with well-explained techniques, tools and ingredients
Japanese Soul Cooking: Ramen, Tonkatsu, Tempura, and More from the Streets and Kitchens of Tokyo and Beyond
By: Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat
Japanese Soul Cooking: Ramen, Tonkatsu, Tempura, and More from the Streets and Kitchens of Tokyo and Beyond offers much more than just ramen recipes. For starters, it covers classic dishes you’ll find at ramen restaurants in Japan, like gyoza (Japanese-style dumplings), karaage (fried chicken), donburi (rice bowls) and chahan (Japanese fried rice).
Japanese chef Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat’s masterpiece shows you how to cook 100 irresistible Japanese soul food dishes at home.
- 22 pages of ramen recipes, 16 pages of gyoza recipes and more
- Attractive and useful photography of dishes, people and the culture of restaurants in Japan
- The must-have Japanese soul food cookbook
Wagamama Feed Your Soul: Fresh and Simple Recipes from the Wagamama Kitchen
Wagamama Feed Your Soul: Fresh and Simple Recipes from the Wagamama KitchenBy: Steven Mangleshot
Wagamama Feed Your Soul contains delicious ramen noodle recipes and a whole lot more, including gyoza and other dishes you’d find in a ramen restaurant. Based on the methods you’ll find at their famous restaurants, it’s packed with delicious Japanese and Asian courses.
Wagamama Feed Your Soul is the latest in a series of highly-rated cookbooks by Wagamama.
- Easy-to-follow instructions with stunning photography
- Includes eight ramen recipes: basic, chicken, kimchi shrimp, miso cod, mushroom, shirodashi (white dashi stock), short rib tantanmen (Chinese dan dan noodles), beef brisket, and four gyoza dumpling recipes
- A perfect book for showing you how to make ramen, and classic Japanese and Asian food
Ramen at Home: The Easy Japanese Cookbook for Classic Ramen and Bold New Flavors
By: Brian MacDuckston
Ramen at Home: The Easy Japanese Cookbook for Classic Ramen and Bold New Flavors is on a mission to bring ramen to everyone. With a comprehensive set of classic Japanese recipes, you’ll learn everything you need to know about making authentic ramen at home.
Brian MacDuckston’s ramen credentials speak for themselves as the author of this book, a ramen food tour guide in Tokyo and a well-known ramen personality in Japan.
- Over 100 traditional Japanese recipes, including bowls of ramen, broths, soups, noodles, toppings and side dishes
- Authentic cooking techniques from a ramen insider who lives in Tokyo
- Become a ramen master at home with this highly researched and detailed cookbook
Simply Ramen: A Complete Course in Preparing Ramen Meals at Home
By: Amy Kimoto-Kahn
Simply Ramen: A Complete Course in Preparing Ramen Meals at Home details the essential building blocks to create delicious ramen. Over 70 delicious recipes show you how to transform your home into a ramen-ya (ramen restaurant).
Amy Kimoto-Kahn’s personal stories from her Japanese heritage, coupled with her passion and knowledge, give the book distinct credibility.
- Tasty recipes to suit all tastes: pork, chicken, beef, seafood, spicy and vegetarian
- Japanese ramen noodle recipes and creative twists on new fusion-style dishes
- Simple and well-explained instructions with attractive photography
Ivan Ramen: Love, Obsession, and Recipes from Tokyo’s Most Unlikely Noodle Joint
Ivan Ramen: Love, Obsession, and Recipes from Tokyo’s Most Unlikely Noodle JointBy: Ivan Orkin and Chris Ying
Ivan Ramen: Love, Obsession, and Recipes from Tokyo’s Most Unlikely Noodle Joint is a memoir-meets-cookbook about a New Yorker living in Japan. Follow Ivan’s story from his love of Japan as a teen to becoming a ramen shop owner in Tokyo.
An entertaining two books in one, which details Ivan’s story and relentless pursuit of the perfect bowl, followed by his mouth-watering ramen restaurant recipes.
- Over 30 recipes, including Ivan’s signature ship (salt) ramen, side dishes and sweets, and noodle dishes including mazemen (no broth ramen)
- Discover Ivan’s fascinating story of being the first gaijin (foreigner) have a ramen shop in Tokyo
- An interesting and amusing insight into the cult of ramen and Japanese culture
Takashi’s Noodles
By: Takashi Yagihashi with Harris Salat
Takashi’s Noodles contains 28 pages of delightful ramen recipes, classic side dishes and a whole lot more. Noodle-lovers will be in their element as the book explores the nuances of Japanese noodles and each style’s distinct regional identity.
Takashi Yagihashi has brought together 75 mouth-watering Japanese noodle recipes from traditional to French-influenced to Japanese-style Italian pasta dishes.
- Discover how to make ramen and more from a native-born Japanese person
- Includes recipes for ramen, tanmen (like ramen with more vegetables), tsukemen (dipping ramen), chicken ramen stock, and shio (salt) and shoyu (soy) sauce base
- A Japanese noodle cookbook with an eclectic mix of authentic and fusion recipes
Ramen Noodle Recipes: Appetisers, Salads, Noodle Bowls, Entrees and Desserts
Ramen Noodle Recipes brings fun and creativity to making instant ramen noodle dishes. Colour photos and simple recipes make it quick and easy to cook meals at home.
Go beyond noodle soup and stir-fries with an amusing and tasty take on instant noodles.
- Includes over 80 instant ramen recipes, including appetisers, side dishes, desserts and traditional bowls
- Easy-to-read and convenient spiral-bound instant ramen recipe book
- A fun approach to making instant ramen noodles, which makes a perfect present
Ramen Otaku: Mastering Ramen at Home
By: Sarah Gavigan with Ann Volkwein
Ramen Otaku – Mastering Ramen at Home traces the author’s journey as she discovers the wonderful world of ramen with over 40 recipes. The book’s step-by-step approach with simple descriptions and photography makes it a perfect guide for cooking ramen at home.
Sarah Gavigan is a self-confessed ramen otaku (geek) who’s mastered the art of making ramen and owns a restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee devoted to the craft.
- A well-organised book which covers umami (the savoury taste of broths and cooked meats), the history and basics of ramen, noodles, stock, fats and oils, tare (sauce), toppings, ramen styles and recipes
- Easy-to-understand instructions so you can create authentic ramen dishes
- Excellent book for beginners and enthusiasts with recipes using accessible ingredients
The Noodle Soup Oracle: Hundreds of Possibilities for the World’s Favorite Comfort Food
By: Michele Humes
The Noodle Soup Oracle isn’t your traditional cookbook for making flavourful ramen and noodle soups. Start to finish, full recipe instructions are available; however, the book focuses on combining noodles, broths and toppings the way you like it.
Michele Hulme’s refreshing approach to creating delicious bowls of noodle soup is well-suited to innovative, freestyle chefs.
- Build your own bowls by mixing and matching different ingredients
- Includes noodles, broths, toppings and complete bowl recipes for noodle soups
- Design your own ramen and noodle soup dishes
101 Things to Do with Ramen Noodles
By: Toni Patrick
101 Things to Do with Ramen Noodles is packed with ideas for making instant ramen dishes. It’s the original instant ramen recipe book, featuring recipes like Summer Garden Soup, Ramen Burgers, Chinese Veggie Noodles, Pork Chop Ramen, and Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup.
Inspired by her student days, Toni Patrick’s collection of recipes is still popular today.
- 101 instant ramen soup, salad, beef, chicken, pork, seafood, vegetarian and family favourite recipes
- Ideal for people on a budget and instant ramen noodle lovers
- Spruce up your instant noodles with these quick and easy meals
Ramen Fusion Cookbook: 40 Traditional Recipes and Modern Makeovers of the Classic Japanese Broth Soup
By: Nell Benton
Ramen Fusion Cookbook mixes classic Japanese ramen recipes with contemporary styles from around the world. From basic broths to chicken, dashi, pork and vegetarian, you’ll find plenty of bowls to suit all tastes.
Nell Benton’s ramen book has brought together an exquisite collection of traditional Japanese dishes and ones from around the world.
- Discover how to make ramen and accompanying dishes from scratch
- Includes 40 yummy ramen recipes from Japan and influences from Korea, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Mexico, and the United States
- Easy-to-understand instructions with full-colour photography
Vegan Ramen Cookbook: Noodles, Small Plates, Drinks
By: Wil Yeung
Vegan Ramen Cookbook: Noodles, Small Plates, Drinks is the cookbook that ramen-loving vegan and vegetarian fans have been looking for. With over 80 recipes, it’s full of irresistible plant-based recipes you’re going to love.
Wil Yeung has bridged the gap between traditional recipes and modern-day vegan food culture.
- Includes vegan ramen and noodle recipes, stocks and pastes, side dishes and healthy drinks
- Simple and clear instructions so you can make everything from scratch
- The world’s first and only vegan ramen cookbook
If you’re keen on learning how to make ramen, check out some Japanese cooking courses you can take at home. If you want a hand with the dough, take a look at my recommended bread makers from Japan.
And for another cookbook for the collection, see my recommendations for sushi-making books.
Discovering washoku through travel in Japan. Sharing the best Japanese food and drink experiences. Living in Osaka. Join me on my journey!
