Ramen and Pasta are loved by many. Though their nature is very similar, you’ll be shocked to know the immense amount of differences between them.
While one makes an excellent fine dining meal, the other has quickly become top-tier comfort food for many.
So, how different are ramen and Pasta from each other?
The answer is very different! While pasta reigns as a delicacy, ramen has made a place in the hearts of many as instant and easy food. However, that’s not always the case.
Both noodles have their origin and history with them, and today we’ll be sharing all that in detail with you. So, all noodle lovers buckle up; this a ride you’ll enjoy!
Origin of Ramen and Pasta
First stop, their origin; While many cultures and countries have tried to proclaim that their areas were the true origin of Pasta, it can be said that each community brought its own take on the noodle dishes.
Ramen originated from Asian communities and subcultures, each with its own variant. Chinese, Japanese and Korean cultures heavily endorse ramen as their cultural dish of choice. These quick to cook noodles were originally from China but since then have become an emblem for Japanese culture through the glorification of ramen in their animes.
Ramen was invented to a comfortable meal that was accessible by people of all classes. This street food was the binding force between the rich and the poor, so it can be said that ramen bears extensive cultural significance.
Pasta, on the other hand, was an Italian delicacy, meant to be enjoyed in a fine dining experience. Since then, spaghetti has become the unofficial symbol for Italian culture, with various countries including this Italian delicacy in their lifestyle.
Also read: this is the differences between Ramen and Ramyun or Ramyeon
What Types Of Cuisines Are Both Used In?
As mentioned previously, these noodles are distinctly used in Italian and Oriental cuisines. The ramen noodle trend being seen mostly in Chinese, Japanese and Korean cultures is a staple for Asian cooking. The experience can range from a good and warm bowl of ramen off the side of a street to a masterpiece of ramen delicacy served with eggs and seaweed in certain high-end restaurants.
In the case of Pasta, Italy has multiple versions of its beloved dish. From the revolutionary Alfredo white sauce pasta to the classic spaghetti Bolognese, all kinds of pasta are cherished and featured wholeheartedly in various Italian cuisines.
Key Differences between Ramen and Pasta Noodles
Now, it’s time for the dual of Ramen vs. Pasta noodles. While the battle doesn’t have an ultimate winner, some differences make or break the deal in this noodle debate.
So, here are some of the significant differences between ramen and pasta noodles, which you may or may not have known before.
Soups and sauce
The first and foremost difference between the two is the differences between soups and sauce. Both are served with a different base to compliment the cuisine’s style as well as the flavor.
Typically ramen is a soup-based dish that consists of two key components: the broth and the sauce. The broth is either meat-based (chicken, beef, fish) or vegetable-based. The sauce is called tare, and it’s primarily made from miso, shio, and shoyu. The soup varies all across East Asia based on preferences and diet choices.
Pasta, on the other hand, is given its character and flavor through a variety of sauces. In fact, the sauce is what seals the deal with portions of pasta. The commonly renowned white and red sauces are the top two sauce variants for portions of pasta worldwide. There are lesser-known sauces as well that are generally flavored through oils and other bases.
Ingredients
Ramen and Pasta both have the key ingredient as flour. However, what sets Pasta apart is that it’s made from Durum wheat. This Mediterranean wheat makes coarser and stiffer noodles, which sets Pasta apart from the smooth and slippery ramen noodles.
Ramen, on the flip side, is made with the unique addition of Kansui. This is alkali water that makes the noodles chewy, a little salty, and adds that well known yellow tinge. The salted alkali water has become the foundation for the slightly salty taste in plain ramen noodles.
Shapes and sizes
Ramen noodles come in two primary shapes, and that is the straight spaghetti-like shape and the well-known curly noodle pack. However, Pasta comes in various sizes and shapes that each vary in their porosity and texture.
In fact, Pasta comes in over 350 styles, from ravioli to penne to fettuccine; the list goes on! The type of Pasta you need is determined solely through the sauce being used to make the Pasta.
The theory of “Al Dente.”
When it comes to ramen, there’s no concept of cooking till the noodle is “al dente.” However, there are certain exemptions, such as the ramen found in Hakata and Nagahama.
Although in the case of Pasta, cooking till the noodle is “al dente” is essential for the pasta dish’s success. The purpose of cooking till “al dente” is to cook until 80% in the boiling process and then finish off the cooking with the sauce itself. This way, the Pasta doesn’t get mushy or overcooked when mixed in with the sauce.
Nutritional Value
Ramen and Pasta are both high complex carbohydrates. This means your body takes its time processing and breaking down the nutritional contents instead of giving you a sudden surge in your energy levels.
Packed with iron, these noodles can provide you more sustainable energy rather than getting an instant sugar high and then crashing straight after. This is why noodles and pasta meals are fed heavily to marathon runners right be for their races. The continuous energy break down keeps you going for a long time.
Conclusion
With that, we conclude our noodle analysis journey. We hope you gained a more insightful look at these two noodle variants and now can differentiate between the two merely based on their appearance. Knowing more about the noodles you eat definitely makes your meal more delicious.
Also read: these are the different types of ramen you could order