Henderson Daniel & Kristie Khemraj, “The Complete Book of National Dishes”, 2019 listed “ramen bowl” as the national dish of Japan (“pizza” was Italy, and “apple pie” was United States).
Ramen-bowl , pizza, and apple-pie are the national dishes of Japan, Italy & America (most people agree). Stirring “pork spareribs” is amazing topping for both “rice” (shown above) and “noodles”. Although, the “pork shoulder” (shown above) is more common; I prefer the topping of noodles/rice with “stir-fried spareribs”. “Hiyachi Chuka” literally is cold Chinese (ramen) noodles; and, it’s an awesome dish of cold noodles (shown above). I personally like placing “a meal” in a “single-bowl” the Eastern way. In contrast, placing “a meal” in a “single-plate” is the Western way. The “ramen” is essentially “food presentation” of Japanese & Chinese cuisines in “bowl”. The “ramen” is not a “plating” on a flat-plate ; but, “ramen” is entire-meal served in one vessel (culinary Japanese).
The “entire dinner” in a single-bowl with: 1. main-recipe, 2. side-recipe, and 3. central-recipe (ramen or rice) is the quintessentially Asian.
Tadashi Ono & Harris Salat, “Japanese Soul Cooking”, 2013 is a cookbook that presents the national dish of recipe of “ramen” with other dishes. In today’s Japan only “sushi” is a rival for “ramen” as national dish.
