If your only exposure to ramen is of the “top” variety, you don’t know what you’re missing. Do yourself a favor and google “ramen+” and you should find something. If that search comes up empty you can call a few of your local Japanese restaurants to see who might have it on the menu.

Ramen comes with all different types of ingredients with my favorite being katsu curry ramen – ramen noodles with a thick curry broth and fried chicken. This may be difficult to find and you’ll more commonly find ramen with a clear broth served with slices of pork. Of course all bowls of ramen come with noodles (it wouldn’t be ramen without it) in addition to one or more of the following: nori, mushrooms, hard boiled egg, etc.

Once you have a real bowl of ramen you won’t go back to the top. Well, never say never. I have to admit, a good bowl of top ramen really hits the spot now and again.