Japanese Ramen Bowls: Sizes, Shapes and Materials
A good ramen bowl is wide, deep and heavy enough to keep the soup hot while you eat.
This guide sets out the sizes we sell, how a ramen bowl differs from a donburi, what the bowls are made of, and which to buy for home or for a restaurant. It sits inside our Culture Masterclass.
Our own bowl: Kōmi Gokubrush Ramen Bowl, White, 212mm.
What Size Is a Ramen Bowl?
The ramen bowls we sell run from 197mm to 212mm across. That width leaves room for noodles, a full measure of soup and toppings, with space to lift the noodles without spilling. Our Showa Seito white bowl, for example, is 20cm across, 9cm deep and holds 1100ml.
Ramen Bowl or Donburi: What Is the Difference?
A ramen bowl is wider and deeper because it is built to hold hot soup with noodles. A donburi is a rice bowl for a topping served over rice, with little liquid. You can serve rice dishes in a ramen bowl, but a full ramen soup will overflow most donburi.
What Are Japanese Ramen Bowls Made Of?
Ceramic and stoneware are the traditional choice because they hold heat. Our range includes Mino-ware porcelain from Showa Seito and Shigaraki stoneware with an Oribe glaze, each glazed by hand so no two bowls look exactly alike.
Can Ramen Bowls Go in the Microwave or Dishwasher?
Check the care note on each listing. The Showa Seito bowls are marked hand wash, and hand-glazed pieces last longest washed by hand.
Which Bowl for Udon or Soba?
The same bowl works. Hot udon and soba are served in broth, so a ramen bowl of about 20cm suits them well.
Popular Products
Our ramen bowls, from 197mm to 212mm across. Finish the set with a Kōmi Ramen Spoon and a Kōmi Ramen Soup Ladle.
Kōmi Gokubrush Ramen Bowl, White, 212mm
Our own bowl: white with a brushed glaze, and the widest in the range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a ramen bowl?
The ramen bowls we sell are 197mm to 212mm across; the Showa Seito white bowl holds 1100ml.
What is the difference between a ramen bowl and a donburi?
A ramen bowl is wider and deeper for noodles in soup; a donburi is a rice bowl for toppings over rice.
How many ramen bowls do I need for a restaurant?
Buy by the case: the Showa Seito, Shigaraki, Sunaji and Akiyo bowls come in cases of 4, 10 or 20.
Should I warm a ramen bowl first?
Yes. Fill it with hot water while the noodles cook and pour it away before serving, so the soup stays hot.
Where to Buy Ramen Bowls in the UK
We keep ramen bowls, spoons and ladles in stock with UK delivery.
For more, browse the Culture Masterclass, or read next: How to Make Ramen at Home.
