Making Ramen or Pho is an art. Like much of Asian cuisine, it takes a careful selection of many ingredients, and a bit more precision while cooking them. And of course, presentation isn’t by any means less important than the food.
That’s why it’s important to pick the right bowls to serve this wholesome meal. Here’s a roundup of some seriously cool ramen bowls that’ll add glam and style to your table.
Top 5 Eye-Catching Ramen Bowls Reviewed
Doing everything in style is an amazing form of self-expression, not to mention being such fun. Why would you go for anything generic when you can use meaningful things? Even a ramen bowl can be a fashion statement, an artistic accent, a memory from a place you visited, or just a really cool bowl.
Here are some ideas for inspiration!
1. Vallenwood Ramen Bowls Set
This melamine set is fashioned in the traditional style of ancient times, but with an ultra-modern twist. And it’s this artistic combination that makes it a unique set.
It’s made from restaurant-grade melamine, and according to the manufacturer, it’s dishwasher and microwave friendly. This definitely makes life easier, but still, we’d rather keep melamine away from the microwave.
The set includes matching spoons, chopsticks, and even a chopstick stand. It comes in a neat box, that you can easily wrap as a gift. Friends and family would love you for it!
Pros
- It wouldn’t break if it falls
- It’s easy to wash and maintain
- Melamine is a lightweight material
- The set looks posh and bold
Cons
- Melamine isn’t recommended for use in the microwave
- Its price is a tad above the mid-range
2. Hinomaru Ramen Bowl Set
If you’re into Feng Shui or find traditional Japanese designs appealing, you’d definitely love this one. The interesting painting on these ramen bowls symbolizes prosperity, good fortune, and wellbeing.
The ceramic set consists of a pair of bowls plus bamboo chopsticks of a matching color. These bowls are perfect for ramen, Udon, and pho. They have well-positioned holed and grooves to place the chopsticks.
Pros
- Perfect as a wedding or housewarming gift
- Microwave and dishwasher friendly
- Retain the heat well
- Can be used as decorative items
- Moderately priced
Cons
- The capacity is rather low
- Ceramic is a fragile material
3. Kanwone Japanese Ramen Bowl Set
This set is the closest you can get to the classy Japanese restaurants. The porcelain is of the highest quality, free from lead and toxins. It also resists chipping, so it’s more durable than its peers.
The minimalist design is brilliant. Even the etchings on the outer surface are there for a reason, which is to keep it from slipping. To complement the look, its monochrome base color and hand-glazed finish add so much glam. Touches like these, transform an ordinary ramen dinner into a fancy meal.
Pros
- Simple yet elegant minimalist design
- Stackable, so they don’t take too much storage
- Microwave, oven, and freezer safe
- Can be washed in a dishwasher
- Unglazed non-slip bottom
Cons
- The opening of the bowl is too wide, the food would cool off quickly
- Ceramics break easily
- It’s rather expensive
4. Happy Sales Multi-Purpose Japanese Ramen Bowl
Ramen is a hearty food that can be enjoyed with a few delicious sides. And instead of using too many bowls or plates for that, the lid of this ramen bowl is ready to carry three different condiments or sides. There are also strategic holes to carry the chopsticks, to keep everything neatly placed.
This solitary bowl can be paired with a sibling that comes with darker coloring. The newly created set would look stunning on your table or as a decorative piece. It would be a costly purchase though.
Pros
- Beautiful paintings on the bowl and condiment lid
- Clever multi-usage design
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Microwave-friendly
- Perfect as a gift
Cons
- The capacity of the bowl is rather small
- The holes tend to spill the soup
5. Museoda Ramen Bowl Set
This matte black melamine set provides the best possible presentation. It follows the traditions of Japanese design, in all its minimalistic elegance, attention to detail, and absolute utility.
You wouldn’t just serve the ramen into two large bowls, but you’ll also get matching ladles, 2 sauce bowls, and a pair of chopsticks.
Pros
- Multiple practical items in the set
- 100% BPA-free
- Unique notches to hold the chopsticks
- Large bowls to fit a hearty meal
- Durable and easy to maintain
- Full refund if not satisfied
Cons
- Wouldn’t keep the heat too much
Things to Consider Before Buying a Ramen Bowl
The following are a few points to keep in mind as you browse through the different ramen bowls.
Type of Ramen Bowl
There are about 6 different types of ramen bowls. Each one has a different shape and general usage. It’s best to know when, how, and why to use each ramen bowl type.
You can choose one of these interesting varieties.
- Tayoudon
- Ohgigatadon
- Koudaidon
- Hira Tayoudon
- Tamadon
- Menbachi
Style Preference
Ramen bowl styles vary from reserved monochrome colors to hip vibrant prints. The textures also go from the very rough and raw to the highly polished.
You might already know which style you like best. But if not, you can check out the latest trends, match the set with your decor, or simply let your current mood decide!
Size
There’s a Goldilocks kind of thing here: a bowl that’s too big would take up a large serving of the delicious meal. Plus, it would show off the nice designs on the inside. But, it’ll let the ramen cool off pretty quickly.
On the other hand, one that’s too small would barely contain a filling portion, and the small amounts you put inside it would cover up any beautiful designs. However, it would keep the ramen nice and hot!
The moral of the three little bear’s story is that there’s a perfect point to be found. Just like Goldilocks did! So try to find the bowl size that fits your requirements to the nines. It’s worth a bit more searching.
Material
Traditionally, ramen bowls were made from ceramics. Which is the material used for most historic artifacts.
In recent times, melamine, and plastic found their way to many homes. They’re far cheaper, they don’t break easily, and they’re easier to maintain. So that’s several plus points. But they aren’t as visually appealing or as valuable as their ceramic peers. And they don’t retain the heat too well. Ceramic has a bit of an edge here.
Accessories and Add-Ons
Ramen bowls can be sold as stand-alone items, or they could come in sets. Some include chopsticks and soup spoons, while others go the extra mile and add a few sauce bowls.
The matched sets are often a great idea. Especially, if you like to invite friends and family over. Spreading a visually appealing table, with matched items, certainly adds to the enjoyment of the meal.
Washing Instructions
The easiest thing in the world is to pop all your dinnerware into the dishwasher. But some items need special attention, and going through the rough washing cycles of the machine could damage them completely.
Wood, thin glass, and hand-painted porcelain often require hand washing and careful drying. But that’s not a reason to shy away from such products. A beautiful object that needs a bit more care is still worth owning.
Friendliness with the Microwave
`While it’s best to always eat our food fresh from the stove, we often need the services of a microwave. Heating up a bowl of ramen is something we all do, but we have to make sure that we don’t put ourselves at any risks.
Some materials shouldn’t be used in the microwave at all. Like melamine, for example, or some types of porcelain that aren’t designed for that purpose.
Conclusion
If you want to eat ramen in style, you can pick any one of the ramen bowls in this list. They’re all guaranteed to boost the cool vibes around your table.
My absolute favorite is the Kanwone Japanese Ramen Bowl Set. it’s well designed, elegant, and it’s a premium quality set.