What is the true origin of ramen?

While ramen is famously a Japanese dish, its roots can be traced back to Chinese wheat noodles. The word 'ramen' itself is a Japanese borrowing of the Chinese term 'lāmiàn,' which means 'pulled noodles.' Chinese immigrants introduced noodle soups to Japan in the late 19th century, particularly in port cities like Yokohama. These early versions were called 'Shina soba' (Chinese noodles) and were primarily consumed by Chinese communities. The first dedicated ramen shop, Rairaiken, opened in Tokyo in 1910, marking a significant turning point in ramen's history. After World War II, with a surplus of wheat from the U.S., street vendors began selling ramen as an affordable and filling meal, leading to its widespread popularity and adaptation into the Japanese culinary landscape.