Japanese Bowls Guide: Ramen, Udon, Donburi and Rice Bowls
The bowl you choose changes how a Japanese meal looks, stays warm and feels to eat. A ramen bowl, an udon bowl, a donburi and a rice bowl are four different shapes made for four different jobs. This guide explains each type, what size to buy, which materials suit which dishes, and how to use and care for your bowls.
The short answer
- Ramen: a wide, deep bowl of about 750 to 1,100 ml.
- Udon and soba: a medium bowl of about 500 to 900 ml, such as an 850 ml noodle bowl.
- Donburi: a deep, large bowl, around 600 to 900 ml, for rice with a topping.
- Everyday rice: a small bowl of 150 to 300 ml.
- Not sure: start with an 850 ml noodle bowl. It handles noodles, rice dishes and soups, and a few small rice bowls cover the rest.
Japanese bowl types and what each is for
Japanese tableware uses a different bowl for almost every dish. The five you will meet most often are the ramen bowl, the udon or soba bowl, the donburi, the rice bowl (chawan) and the small soup bowl. Our full range is in the Japanese bowls collection.
| Bowl | Best for | Typical capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Ramen bowl | Ramen with broth and toppings | About 750–1,100 ml |
| Udon / soba bowl | Noodles in broth or served cold | About 500–900 ml |
| Donburi bowl | Rice with a topping, such as gyudon or katsudon | About 600–900 ml |
| Rice bowl (chawan) | Steamed rice at the table | About 150–300 ml |
| Soup or miso bowl | Miso soup and small soups | About 200–350 ml |
These are typical ranges. Exact capacity varies by product, so check the specifications on each product page.
Ramen bowls
A ramen bowl is wide and deep, so it holds noodles, a generous amount of broth and the toppings, and leaves room to eat without spilling. Look for a stable base, a wide rim for the toppings and a size that suits your appetite. Browse all our ramen bowls.
- The Reinbō comes in two models: M, 6.5 in (16.5 cm) wide, and L, 7.9 in (20 cm) wide.
- The Tomohisa is a large bowl in two sizes, 750 ml and 1,050 ml, for a generous portion.
- The Taisha is a set of 2 melamine bowls with matching spoons, a practical choice for everyday use.
Udon, soba and noodle bowls
Udon and soba bowls are often a little simpler and a little smaller than ramen bowls. A single noodle bowl is enough for hot noodles in broth, cold soba or a light soup. Our udon and noodle bowls range from single-serving sizes to large bowls.
- The Wataru II is a 450 ml porcelain noodle bowl, 6.1 in (15.5 cm) wide, for a single serving of ramen, udon, soba or soup.
- The Nerima and the Hamamatsu both hold 850 ml, a generous size for noodles and soup.
Donburi and rice bowls
Donburi is a meal served in one deep bowl: steamed rice with a topping such as beef (gyudon), pork cutlet (katsudon) or chicken and egg (oyakodon). It needs a larger, deeper bowl than a table rice bowl. A bowl of about 850 ml, like the Hamamatsu, which is described for noodles, rice dishes and salads, works well for this.
The small rice bowl, or chawan, is for plain steamed rice at the table. It is held in one hand, so it is light and comfortable to hold. The Iriya is 3.9 in (10 cm) wide and 2 in (5 cm) high, sized for one serving of rice, and it also suits miso soup, pickles and sides. See all rice bowls.
Bowl sizes at a glance
- Large (1,000 ml and up): big ramen portions, hearty soups. The Tomohisa L holds 1,050 ml.
- Medium (700–900 ml): the most versatile size for noodles, donburi and salads. The Nerima and Hamamatsu hold 850 ml.
- Single serving (400–600 ml): lighter portions of noodle soup. The Wataru II holds 450 ml.
- Small (under 300 ml): rice, miso soup and sides.
If you only buy one size, choose a medium bowl. If you eat ramen often, add a large bowl.
Materials: ceramic, porcelain, melamine and wood
- Ceramic: the classic choice, with a hand-made look, and it keeps soup hot well.
- Porcelain: smooth, fine and non-porous, so it does not hold on to flavors.
- Melamine: light and hard to break, a practical choice for everyday meals and for families.
- Wood: warm to hold and a natural fit for rice and small bowls, but it needs gentler care.
Our recommended Japanese bowls
A selection from our range, from a small rice bowl to a large ramen bowl. See them all in the Japanese bowls collection.
Reinbō Ramen BowlM 6.5 in or L 7.9 in, 4 options
Tomohisa Large Ramen Bowl750 ml or 1,050 ml
Taisha Bowl Set of 2Melamine bowls with 2 spoons
Wataru II Noodle Bowl450 ml porcelain, single serving
Hamamatsu 850 ml BowlNoodles, rice dishes and salads
Iriya Rice Bowl3.9 in, classic single serving
How to serve and eat from a Japanese bowl
- Warm the bowl with hot water before serving hot ramen or udon, so the broth stays hot longer.
- Add the noodles first and then the broth, then place the toppings on top.
- Use chopsticks and a spoon. Lift the noodles with chopsticks and drink the broth with a spoon. Eating noodles with a little slurping is normal in Japan.
- Hold rice bowls in one hand, close to your mouth, and eat with chopsticks.
- Pick up small soup bowls and drink from the rim.
How to care for Japanese bowls
- Wash gently with warm water and soap, and dry well.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes, such as pouring boiling liquid into a cold ceramic bowl.
- Check each product page for dishwasher and microwave suitability, which varies by bowl.
- Wash wood bowls by hand, and do not soak them.
Frequently asked questions
What size bowl do I need for ramen?
Most ramen bowls hold about 750 ml to 1,100 ml, which fits noodles, broth and toppings. For a smaller portion or a side, a bowl of 450 to 550 ml works.
What is the difference between a ramen bowl and an udon bowl?
They overlap. Ramen bowls are usually wider and deeper to fit broth and toppings, and udon or soba bowls are often a little smaller and simpler. Many bowls, such as an 850 ml noodle bowl, work for both.
What is a donburi bowl?
A donburi is a deep bowl for a bowl-style meal of rice with a topping on top, such as gyudon, katsudon or oyakodon. A large rice bowl or an 850 ml noodle bowl can serve as one.
How big is a Japanese rice bowl?
A traditional single-serving rice bowl is small, around 4 in (10 cm) wide, and holds roughly 150 to 300 ml. It is made for steamed rice at the table.
Are Japanese bowls microwave and dishwasher safe?
It depends on the material and the product. Check each product page, and avoid the microwave for bowls with metallic paint or for wood bowls.
Ready to choose? Browse our ramen bowls, udon bowls, rice bowls and soup bowls, or see the full Japanese bowls collection.