Ramen bowl guide: size, material and tips
A good ramen bowl is big enough for noodles, broth and toppings, keeps the soup warm and leaves room to stir with chopsticks. Here are the key points at a glance.
What size should a ramen bowl be?
For a full portion of ramen, choose a bowl with a diameter of 19–21 cm. The capacity should be about 1–1.3 litres – enough for noodles, broth and toppings like egg, nori and spring onion without filling the bowl to the rim. The ramen bowls in the shop are 19.5–21.8 cm wide and hold 0.9–1.85 litres; for large portions or soba, choose one with 1.4 litres or more. Smaller bowls of 14–18 cm work for half portions, rice or side dishes.
| Diameter | Typical use |
|---|---|
| under 10 cm | Sauces, dips, condiments |
| 10–13 cm | Dessert, small sides |
| 14–18 cm | Rice, miso soup, cereal |
| 19–21 cm | Ramen, udon, pho, noodle soups |
| 22 cm and up | Serving, salad, fruit |
Porcelain or ceramic?
Porcelain is dense, smooth and easy to clean; classic patterns like blue and white look especially crisp on it. Ceramic/stoneware is usually a little thicker, keeps heat well and has a more handmade look thanks to matte or reactive glazes. Both are usually dishwasher and microwave safe – the exact information is on every product page. Melamine is light and shatterproof, but not microwave safe.
What else to look for
- Shape: Tall bowls that open towards the top keep the broth warm and leave room for chopsticks and spoon.
- Matching accessories: A ramen spoon (renge) and chopsticks with a chopstick rest complete the set.
- As a gift: Two bowls with matching spoons and chopsticks make a nice gift for ramen fans.
Ramen bowls by Tokyo Design Studio
The shop carries ramen and noodle bowls in many design series – from classic blue and white to matte glazes. Tokyo Design Studio products are mostly made in Japan.
All ramen bowls · Noodle bowls (Ø 19–21 cm) · Spoons · Chopsticks