Encyclopedia / Science
Science · Theme 35 / 50
Firmness is not size
麺の硬さ
Katasa describes noodle firmness; ryō describes quantity. Recognizing the difference makes a short counter question much easier to answer.
What to notice
Not every shop offers a choice. The default is a useful starting point, especially for a first visit.
Try it with your next bowl
Practice “futsū de onegai shimasu” before experimenting with firmer options.
Original illustration · RAMEN READY · source & details
A noodle strainer and timer illustrate cooking time; the drawing does not prescribe a universal cooking duration.
Read further
Independent editorial explanation and tasting suggestions. These sources provide terminology or background; they do not certify the ingredients of a shop’s dish.
Edited 18 October 2026 · Subject-specific images; photographs and AI illustrations are labelled separately.