The budget traveler and expatriate can get an inexpensive and plentiful meal in Ramen noodle shops. They offer the visitor a delicious meal. Ramen noodles are cheap eats in Japan.

The Ramen noodle shops are easy to negotiate. Outside the noodle shop are vending machines. Look and find the picture representing the dish of choice. Pay for the meal and take the ticket. Enter and sit in a booth.

A member of the wait staff will take your ticket and return with your Japanese food selection. Some Ramen noodle shops will ask how do you prefer the noodles, al dente or mushy. How spicy do you want the broth? Hot, medium or mild. What toppings do you want? Vegetables, meats (beef, veal, pork, etc.) and seafood are the ususal toppings. As you can guess, the former Ramen noodle shop is the cheapest type. You pay more for the interaction.

Note that some Ramen noodle shops have individual booths. They are like the study booths in college. The people on both sides are blocked from view by partitions giving a sense privacy. This is bothersome when there are two or more in a party. Maybe this is a by-product of living on a small island with so many people.

Adventure out and try a Ramen noodle shop. It is a good experience even for the traveler or expatriate not on a budget. Remember you are there to experience Japan!

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