The outlook for restaurant ramen trends and the perspectives of leading manufacturers were presented. While the market is becoming increasingly polarized between rich and light styles, demand for takeaway is expanding and manufacturers are pursuing higher noodle quality and a wider range of flavors.
In recent years, ramen has become increasingly polarized between rich varieties, such as seafood-and-pork-bone and dried-sardine styles, and lighter varieties centered on chicken stock and shellfish broth, with each attracting a loyal following. As trends shift between the two extremes, spice-based styles and varieties emphasizing the heat of miso have also become established choices. Demand for the sense of freedom associated with eating out has driven growth in the popularity of brothless noodle dishes. From next year onward, rising takeaway demand is expected to spill over into restaurant ramen.
Using their own products as a basis, the companies presented the future direction of ramen as follows. オリエンタル酵母工業 pointed to growth in spicy miso ramen and the importance of noodles suited to takeaway. Shimadaya noted the possibility of a shift toward flavors with moderate intensity as the popularity of indulgent and rich styles settles. 創味食品 forecast the emergence of balanced flavors and new combinations such as vegetable stock with chicken paitan as the market becomes increasingly polarized between rich and light styles. 平和食品工業 highlighted the expansion of abura soba and mazesoba, and explained the growing freedom to customize the strong flavors associated with eating out.
More specifically, Hiryu Nobiguard was cited as a recommended product from a leading company, with emphasis placed on its ability to prevent noodles from becoming soft during boiling while maintaining both firmness and chewiness. Shimadaya promotes the compatibility of springy thick noodles with strong flavors through its 1 kg Frozen Extra-Thick Yakisoba. 創味食品 demonstrates the combination of rich flavor and ease of use with its Thick Chicken Paitan and Everyone's Soy Sauce Ramen Soup products, while 平和食品工業 proposes highly flexible flavor variations with its Nagara Abura Soba.