Review of a Good Manga “Ramen Saiyuuki (らーめん才遊記)”

“They’re not just eating ramen. They’re consuming information!”(「奴らはラーメンじゃなく、情報を食ってるんだ！」)

This meme has made “Ramen Saiyuuki” well-known, a gourmet manga serialized in “Big Comic Sperior” from 2009 to 2014. It has been re-serialized as “Ramen Saiyuuki” since 2020 and is still ongoing.

Like me, many might know the meme but haven’t actually read the manga.

Impressions

Entertaining as a Manga

Known for its meme, this work is genuinely entertaining as a manga! The protagonist, who loves ramen, joins a consulting company specializing in ramen shops. The story progresses through various cases within the company, involving ramen and its management.

Characters like the business-minded bald Serizawa and the natural protagonist Yutori are well-defined. Everyone in the cast has distinct and understandable characteristics.

Moreover, each story concludes in a few chapters, making it easy and satisfying to read. The panel layout is reader-friendly, ensuring a smooth and frustration-free reading experience.

Interesting for Ramen Knowledge

The manga is assisted by ramen critic Hideyuki Ishigami, who won consecutive championships in the 1990s “TV Champion Ramen King Championship.” His involvement lends credibility to the world of ramen explored in the manga.

Each episode introduces a theme about ramen, covering its history, varieties, and preparation methods. It’s a fun way to learn about ramen without the need for serious study. The information might be a bit dated, as the original series was serialized from 2009 to 2014, but the re-serialization as “Ramen Saiyuuki” since 2020 should provide insights into the modern history of ramen.

Interesting as a Business Manga

Unlike typical gourmet manga that focus on creating delicious dishes, this work, set in a consulting firm, often revolves around “how to increase sales.” Clients with delicious ramen but poor sales appear, highlighting the importance of ambiance, customer service, and marketing. Thus, it’s also recommended for fans of business-themed manga.

The Only Problem: It Makes You Crave Ramen

The biggest issue with reading this manga is the craving for ramen it induces. Scenes of visiting ramen shops or making ramen are depicted so appetizingly that they inspire a desire to explore ramen shops. If I had read this during my university days, I probably would have spent all my lunches at different ramen shops.

Now at 30, I’m not in the age group to go on ramen tours, yet this manga still makes me crave ramen. Not ideal when you’re supposed to be dieting…

Conclusion

“Ramen Saiyuuki” is a manga that I highly recommend not just for ramen enthusiasts but also for manga and business manga fans. It’s a shame to judge it solely by its meme images on Twitter, so I encourage you to give it a read.