Ramen has enjoyed growing popularity in Japan since the early 1900s, and the invention of instant ramen by Momofuku Ando in 1958 gave it even more momentum. There are over 35,000 ramen restaurants in Japan and in order to survive, they have to offer exceptional broth usually flavored with salt, pork bone, soy sauce, or miso. The toppings can include egg, fish or meat, and vegetables. Different regions in Japan have their own specialties.
You may like the 1985 movie Tampopo (with English subtitles) to see how a widow enlists the help of a milk truck driver and his friend to transform her noodle restaurant to the best in town.
