Is Ramen Vegetarian? (Tonkotsu, Egg & Chashu)
Is Ramen Vegetarian? (Tonkotsu, Egg & Chashu)
Ramen looks like it could go either way: noodles, broth, maybe an egg. The problem is the broth, which is almost never vegetarian. Here is what makes ramen non-vegetarian, and how to find the plant-based version.
Key Takeaways
- Almost all restaurant ramen is not vegetarian: the broth is pork, chicken or fish.
- The toppings add more animal products: chashu pork and a soft-boiled egg.
- Even “vegetable” ramen is often simmered with chicken or fish stock.
- Ask specifically: “Is the broth vegetarian? No meat, fish or chicken stock?”
TL;DR: Almost all restaurant ramen is not vegetarian. The broth is usually made from pork (tonkotsu), chicken or fish, and it’s typically topped with pork (chashu) and a soft-boiled egg. Vegetarian and vegan ramen exist, but you must ask for it specifically.
The broth is the problem
Ramen is defined by its broth, and the most common broths are all animal-based:
| Broth | Base | Vegetarian? |
|---|---|---|
| Tonkotsu | Pork bones (creamy white) | No |
| Shoyu | Soy sauce: but usually with chicken or fish stock | Usually no |
| Miso | Miso paste: but often mixed with fish dashi | Usually no |
| Shio | Salt: often chicken or pork stock | Usually no |
Even a “vegetable” ramen can be simmered with chicken or fish stock, so the name on the menu isn’t enough.
Toppings to watch
- Chashu: braised pork (the sliced meat on top)
- Ajitama: marinated soft-boiled egg
- Naruto / kamaboko: white fish cake
- Menma: fermented bamboo (vegetarian)
- Nori: seaweed (vegetarian)
The noodles themselves are usually vegan (wheat + kansui), so the broth and toppings are what make or break it.
How to order vegetarian ramen
Ask directly: “Is the broth vegetarian? No meat, fish or chicken stock?” Then request no chashu and no egg. Vegan ramen shops and “veggie ramen” menu items are increasingly common.
The bottom line
- Vegetarian? Only at shops that make a genuinely plant-based broth.
- Vegan? Same, minus the egg and any fish cake.
See our Ramen dish guide for the full breakdown, and our Japanese food guide for other hidden ingredients.
Check before you eat. The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more). Download on the App Store - Android is coming soon.
Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.
Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.