You'll find ramen shops everywhere in Japan, but there's an alternative to satisfy your noodle cravings that isn't so readily apparent. A ramen cooking class will help you connect hands-on with Japanese culture, expand your cooking skills, and provide a way to enjoy ramen for those with dietary restrictions (most ramen restaurants don't have allergen-free options, after all).
Whether you are looking for a specific type of ramen (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or halal) or are simply in for the fun of it, by learning to make ramen in Japan, you'll get try-and-tested tips from masters of the craft and gain a new appreciation for everyone's favorite bowl of noodles. Ramen's characteristic umami flavors and beautifully arranged toppings require a skillful hand. With help from knowledgeable local instructors, you'll be able to smoothly make an authentic, delicious bowl of slurpy noodles you can proudly call your own!
Which Japanese cities are the best for ramen? Check out the top 5 ramen destinations in Japan.
7 Unique Ramen Cooking Classes in Japan
From home cooking to pro-chef kitchens, here are some unique and fun ramen-making classes across Japan that will make you fall in love with ramen all over again.
1. Make gluten-free and vegan ramen from scratch in Tokyo
Who could've imagined that a lovely home in the Tokyo suburbs of Kunitachi would hold the secrets to making perfect ramen noodles from scratch? After making the noodles, you'll work your way to the broth: you can opt between chicken miso (original or gluten-free) or vegetarian and vegan ramen options. The best part? You don't have to stick with one type of ramen for your entire group, so each person can choose the type of ramen best suited to their taste and dietary needs.
Book this gluten-free and vegan ramen cooking class on byFood.
2. Work at a real ramen shop in Tokyo
Make a delicious bowl of ramen and discover the inner workings of an authentic ramen restaurant a short walk from Ueno Park in central Tokyo. The chefs will take you on a kitchen tour, show you the ramen-making techniques they use every day, and guide you into making a store-worthy bowl of ramen with crispy gyoza on the side. Slurp yummy noodles and learn invaluable insights about the world of ramen from some of its protagonists.
Try working at a real ramen shop in Tokyo.
3. Make creamy vegan ramen and crispy gyoza in Osaka
While ramen and gyoza dumplings are readily available in Japan, vegan variations remain difficult to come by. In this class in Osaka, a professional chef and food stylist will teach you how to prepare a bowl of creamy ramen with premade noodles and vegan toppings. Then, you'll fry crispy and chewy gyoza in the pan and sit down to enjoy a delicious meal with your host. You can take home an English recipe booklet as a souvenir to continue making these classic dishes at home.
Book this vegan ramen and gyoza cooking class in Osaka.
4. Join a ramen and gyoza cooking class in Yokohama
Home to Japan's largest Chinatown and the ever-popular Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, Kanagawa Prefecture is no stranger to ramen. South of Yokohama is the small seaside city of Ninomiya, a convenient stop on the way to Mt. Fuji or the hot spring towns of Izu or Hakone. Here, you can learn to make a balanced bowl of ramen and fold flavorful gyoza. If you're a ramen aficionado, make sure to choose the "making noodles from scratch" option and spare some extra time to learn how to make both noodles and gyoza wrappers.
Book this ramen and gyoza cooking class in Yokohama.
5. Learn an original ramen recipe from Nariko in Kyoto
Steal an original Kyoto recipe to replicate at home in this ramen and gyoza cooking class that includes an additional side dish. On the menu is an original ramen with homemade chicken stock and soy sauce broth. You'll be cooking premade noodles and finishing up your dish with flavorful toppings, golden and juicy gyoza dumplings, and a Japanese side dish before sitting down to enjoy the fruits of your hard work with your local host, who will give you insider insights into the fascinating world of Japanese cuisine.
Join this ramen and gyoza cooking class in Kyoto.
6. Make halal ramen and gyoza in Tokyo
Ramen and gyoza both typically have pork, which makes them anything but halal-friendly; however, this class proves that when there's a will, there's a way. Using only halal-certified ingredients and equipment, this ramen and gyoza class goes above and beyond to ensure Muslim guests have a comfortable and smooth cooking experience — Salat and Wudu support and worship mats are available too. Prepare these Japanese food staples in a safe environment and enjoy them comfortably at this unique halal-friendly class.
Make halal ramen and gyoza in Tokyo.
7. Learn how to make ramen from a pro chef in Osaka
Learn the tricks of the trade from a ramen chef in this dynamic class in Osaka, a city often referred to as Japan's kitchen due to its outstanding gastronomy. Choose your soup base (seafood chicken, chicken, salty fish broth, or soy sauce), and Shu, your host, will show you how to prepare ramen like a pro, balancing flavors and textures with cooking techniques that chefs in Japan use daily. Enjoy a steamy bowl of restaurant-quality ramen made by yourself!
Become a master ramen chef at this Osaka cooking class.
If you'd prefer to leave the hard work to the pros, be sure to check our ultimate ramen guide, where we have listed where you can find some of the best ramen in Tokyo. Or perhaps you'd like to take ramen home as a souvenir, in which case you might be interested in a miniature kawaii sample food workshop in Tokyo. There's no shortage of ramen-related experiences and activities in Japan, and you don't have to pick only one. Experiment with broths, flavors, and toppings, and you might end up finding (or making) the perfect bowl!
Looking for more options? Check out byFood's full catalog of ramen cooking classes.
