If you’re a ramen fan, you know it requires the right size and shape bowl. Bowls designed for cereal, side dishes, or appetizer portions of soup or salad are far too small to hold all the noodles, toppings, and broth for a serving of ramen while mixing bowls or salad bowls are too large.
If you serve noodle soup in a bowl that’s too shallow, it will get cold quickly, while a bowl with sharply angled walls or a wide, flat base makes it difficult to fish out all the last tasty bits with your chopsticks. A good ramen bowl must also be large enough to have some space on top, even when filled, so you avoid splashing and spilling broth everywhere as you eat.
Of course, large serving bowls are not just for ramen. They’re also perfect for serving other Asian noodle soups like udon and pho, Thai-style boat noodles, rice-bowl dishes like donburi, hearty meal-sized salads, smoothie bowls, popcorn, noodle salads, or any other noodle dish. Traditionally, noodle bowls have been made of ceramic, but these days they’re available in many different shapes and materials.
To help you find the best ramen bowls for all of your favorite noodle soup recipes, we researched the top-rated brands available. We paid special attention to important features like material, durability, size, and shape to give you the best ramen-eating experience.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best Budget:
Best Melamine:
Best Handmade:
What We Like
Coordinating pieces available
Large capacity
Durable
Built-in chopstick/spoon rests
What We Don't Like
A bit heavy
Only available in white
This noodle bowl is made of creamy white vitrified porcelain, fired at a very high temperature to make it stronger and more resistant to chipping and breakage. Sourced from a venerable German ceramics manufacturer, the bowl holds a little over 43 fluid ounces (or nearly 6 cups), so it’s perfect for restaurant-sized portions of noodle soup. Its top edge features two indentations, which can be used for either resting a pair of chopsticks horizontally across the bowl or for propping up chopsticks and a soup spoon to prevent them from slipping down into the broth.
The Soup Passion Asia Bowl is part of a range that includes optional, coordinating accessories like matching porcelain chopsticks or soup spoons, a serving tray that can hold both the bowl and some toppings, a lid that keeps steaming soups hot but also has indentations for holding garnishes and dipping sauces, and a stone base designed to keep soups warm.
Material: Porcelain | Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 4 inches | Capacity: 43.75 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
What We Like
Lightweight
Practical handles that double as spoon/chopstick rests
Matching soup spoons and chopsticks
Made of plant-based materials
What We Don't Like
Only sold as a set of 2
Not microwave-safe
For a more environmentally friendly option that won't break the bank, this ramen bowl set is made only from plant-based materials and is BPA-free. It's lightweight, durable, heat-resistant, and even dishwasher-safe, but it's not recommended for use in a microwave. The set is available in either a red-and-black or beige-and-black color scheme, and each set includes two noodle bowls with matching soup spoons and chopsticks.
The bowls have cleverly designed handles, which make them easy to carry even when they're full of steaming hot liquid and also double as holders/rests for the spoon and chopsticks, so you can set your utensils down while eating without getting soup all over the tabletop. The bowls hold 33.5 fluid ounces or a small serving of ramen noodles.
Material: Bioplastic | Dimensions: 8.94 x 6.56 x 4.38 inches | Capacity: 33.5 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
What We Like
Comes with chopsticks, spoons, dipping bowls, and chopstick stands
Available in different colors
Versatile size
What We Don't Like
Can't microwave
Melamine is a type of plastic that’s harder and more durable than other plastics, and it’s often used to make Asian restaurant tableware. Its advantages are that it’s lightweight, affordable, and sturdy. Its biggest drawback, though, is that it’s not microwave-safe and should not be used with highly acidic foods (for example, dishes containing tomatoes, vinegar, or lots of chili peppers).
Nevertheless, this complete set is well worth considering for its undeniable value. It's available in four colorways and comes with chopsticks, a spoon, a dipping bowl, and a chopstick stand to match the 32-ounce bowl—not too big and not too small—all of which are dishwasher-safe. Plus, you can buy a single bowl, 2-bowl, or 4-bowl set.
Material: Melamine | Dimensions: 9.4 x 3 inches | Capacity: 32 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
What We Like
Includes wooden trivet
Handcrafted with multiple designs available
Notch to hold chopsticks and spoon built into lid
Hand-painted, matching porcelain spoon
What We Don't Like
Smaller capacity than other options
A ramen bowl with a lid can come in handy when you want to keep your soup nice and hot in between bites or while transporting it from the kitchen to the table. This one from Urban Tokyo is handmade of porcelain and hand-painted with a beautiful cherry blossom scene, though the brand also offers several other designs (including a popular wave design and koi fish design).
Each bowl comes with a matching bamboo lid, a pair of chopsticks, a trivet, and a porcelain spoon that's hand-painted to match the bowl. The bamboo trivet is especially useful both to protect your table surface from the hot liquid and to carry your soup using the carved handles on the side.
Apart from ramen, this bowl also works great for dumplings and rice because of its rounded shape. It is also safe to use in the microwave and dishwasher. Overall, this set is just a lovely, well-organized, and convenient addition to any ramen-lover's kitchen.
Material: Porcelain | Dimensions: 6 x 3.25 inches | Capacity: 24 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
What We Like
Keeps foods hot or cold
Unbreakable
Ridged outer wall for secure grip
Lightweight
What We Don't Like
Can't be microwaved
This unusual, modern-looking bowl is made of sturdy stainless steel and features double-wall construction that acts as insulation. It keeps your soup steaming hot while remaining cooler to the touch on the outside. The ridged outer wall also gives it a firm grip, so you can carry it to the table without it slipping out of your hands.
At about 8.7 inches in diameter, it has a generous capacity of 45 fluid ounces, enough for a restaurant-size serving of ramen noodles. Because it’s made of metal, though, it can’t be used in a microwave for reheating.
Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 10.2 x 4.1 x 3.5 inches | Capacity: 45 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
What We Like
Matching wooden chopsticks and spoons
Holes for chopsticks on bowl edges
Unique, hand-painted porcelain
Includes large sauce dishes
What We Don't Like
Spoons and chopsticks are hand-wash only
This ramen bowl set comes with two pairs of chopsticks, soup spoons, extra-large sauce dishes, and hand-painted porcelain bowls. The bowls are deep enough to hold 28 ounces of soup—plenty of room for ramen, udon, or other types of Asian noodles.
They also have a set of holes around the rim to hold your chopsticks in place. We love the long-handled wooden spoon that you'd find in an authentic ramen shop, as well as the matching sauce dish—which is great for shoyu and dipping sauces but also large enough to hold sides like kimchi or act as a spoon rest.
The porcelain bowls and sauce dishes use a reactive glaze technique with a non-porous layer to make them impermeable to stains and odors. Because they are hand-painted, each piece is unique.
Everything is dishwasher and microwave-safe apart from the wooden spoons and chopsticks, which should be hand-washed to avoid warping. Considering the quality, quantity, and look of the pieces, the price is hard to beat for this ramen bowl set.
Material: Porcelain | Dimensions: 8 x 3.2 inches | Capacity: 28 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
What We Like
Deep bowl
Generous capacity
Cut-outs to hold included chopsticks
Minimalist design
What We Don't Like
Not oven-safe
Handmade in Maine, this deep ceramic ramen bowl features a contemporary minimalist design. It has cut-outs on either side for the included chopsticks to rest. At 7.75 x 7.75 x 4.25 inches, its generous proportions make it ideal for all types of noodle soups.
The ramen bowl is available in three colors—Charcoal, Lunaria (oatmeal), and White Speckle—and is dishwasher- and microwave-safe, though not oven-safe.
Material: Ceramic | Dimensions: 7.75 x 7.75 x 4.25 inches | Capacity: Not listed | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
What We Like
Stylish yet functional
Comes with bamboo chopsticks
Has handles/chopstick rests
Microwave-safe
What We Don't Like
May be cumbersome to sip broth straight from the bowl
This design-forward noodle bowl has a sleek, contemporary look and minimalist angles, but the design is practical as well as stylish. The bowl has two round, cut-out holes that function as handles, so you can carry a bowl of boiling-hot soup without burning your fingers, but also as holders/rests for the bamboo chopsticks that come with the bowl. The bowl is both microwave- and dishwasher-safe and is generously sized at 11 inches in diameter and nearly 10 inches tall, big enough for super-sized helpings of noodles and broth.
Matching pieces are also available in the same range, including a smaller noodle bowl and a porcelain soup spoon.
Material: Porcelain | Dimensions: 11 x 9.75 x 5 inches | Capacity: Not listed | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
We Made Dozens of Cups of Rice To Find the Best Rice Cookers out There
Final Verdict
Our overall pick for the best ramen/noodle soup bowl is the Villeroy & Boch Soup Passion Asia Bowl, a durable porcelain bowl with notches in the rim for resting chopsticks or a soup spoon. It’s dishwasher- and microwave-safe and is part of a line of coordinating pieces. For a more affordable option, the Ozeri Earth 6-Piece Ramen Bowl Set includes two generously sized noodle bowls for a lower price.
What to Look for in a Ramen Bowl
Size/Capacity
Noodle bowls come in many different shapes and sizes, but in general, look for deeper bowls with rounded or gently sloping sides. Bowls that are too shallow might not hold enough broth to cover your noodles and will let the soup cool off quickly. Walls that are too steep or sharply angled might make it difficult to reach the bottom of the bowl with a pair of chopsticks.
A bowl sufficient for a small portion of noodle soup (such as a package of instant ramen) should be able to comfortably hold at least 35 fluid ounces (about 4.25 cups or 1 liter). Unfortunately, many sellers don’t specify capacity, especially in online listings, but generally, a bowl that’s about 7.5 inches wide and 3 inches high should be large enough.
For bigger servings or noodle soups that will have lots of broth and be loaded with plenty of toppings, look for a bowl with a capacity of at least 44 fluid ounces (5 1/2 cups or 1,250 milliliters). This is the average size of bowls used in ramen restaurants. It should be at least 8 inches in diameter and about 3 1/2 to 4 inches tall.
For extra-large servings, look for bowls that can hold at least 57 to 60 fluid ounces—these will usually start at about 9 inches in diameter.
Material
Traditionally, noodle bowls were usually made of some type of ceramic (porcelain, stoneware, or bone china), and most options still are. Ceramic bowls have the advantage of being elegant and stain-resistant and help to keep soups piping hot, but on the downside, some are prone to chipping, cracking, or breakage.
Ceramic bowls also can be quite expensive or heavy, and not all are dishwasher-safe. When buying ceramic bowls, make sure they have a lead-free glaze.
Plastic bowls are a more affordable and lighter option, but they’re less durable and tend to retain stains and odors. Melamine is a much harder, sturdier, and stain-resistant type of plastic, but it can’t be used to heat food in a microwave and so might be better suited for salads and other cold dishes than hot soups.
Extras
These days, many noodle bowls have clever features like a built-in chopstick rest or come with accessories like a lid, spoon, or matching chopsticks. Whether or not these add-ons are important depends mostly on your personal preferences, but since these included pieces are not always of the highest quality, sometimes it might be better to buy the other parts separately.
FAQs
What is a ramen bowl called?
The general Japanese term for a ramen bowl is ramen bachi. Among the many types of Japanese soup bowls that vary in size and shape, menbachi is a deep and wide bowl especially suitable for ramen.
What is in a typical ramen bowl?
In addition to the seasoned broth, such as miso, the dish includes lots of toppings: chopped green onions, soft- or hard-boiled egg, bean sprouts, wood ear mushrooms, pickled bamboo shoots, seaweed, boiled spinach, garlic, and more.
What bowl is ramen served in?
Ramen is served ina traditional ramen bowl with chopsticks and a spoon. A ramen bowl should hold at least 34 ounces or more to fit the broth, which makes up about half, plus the noodles and toppings.
What is the red stuff in ramen?
Benishoga are strips of red pickled ginger. The ginger is cut into matchsticks and pickled in salt and vinegar or brine, usually a byproduct from pickled plums. The vibrant red color comes from the red shiso leaves (perilla) that are added to the pickling liquid.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
This article was written by Danette St. Onge, a food writer and former features editor at Cook’s Illustrated magazine (part of America’s Test Kitchen). Raised on noodle soups from a young age, she’s eaten countless servings of ramen, pho, and Thai noodles and is always on the lookout for a better bowl to hold them. Even though several international moves have reduced her dishware to a bare minimum, two noodle bowls follow her wherever she goes.
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