659836 Thu Oct 15 22:17:22 -0700 2009 6 45 Japan 0 5107148 What do I say to order my ramen noodles hard or extra hard if they don't understand English? And they almost surely don't. Thanks in advance! Thu Oct 15 22:17:22 -0700 2009 10156 Steve 1 5107218 The term you want is "Katame" or "Firm" Thu Oct 15 23:45:37 -0700 2009 5107148 226450 Notorious P.I.G. 1 5107375 Pronounced "kah-tah-may". Also, occasionally you will find a place that will not cook the noodles katame, because they feel the noodles are not appropriate for it, or it throws off their timing, or some other reason, valid or not, but those places are definitely the minority. Extra hard would be "barikata", and that might be a problem at some places too. So although it's not likely, if you get some long string of Japanese back instead of "hai", when you ask for katame, don't take it personally. Fri Oct 16 05:18:20 -0700 2009 5107148 110812 kamiosaki 2 5107804 Thanks to both responses. I feel much better prepared. Fri Oct 16 08:34:04 -0700 2009 5107375 10156 Steve 1 5109814 'katame de onegai-shimasu' is the best / most polite way to request it.. literally " please prepare [my noodles] on the firm side..." Sat Oct 17 01:50:29 -0700 2009 5107148 47922 foreignmuck 2 5111257 Awesome. I want to surprise them with my politeness and erudition. Of course, if my accent is too good I risk getting back a string of talk I don't understand..... Sat Oct 17 18:29:47 -0700 2009 5109814 10156 Steve 3 5111458 "Hanase Masen" should take care of that real quick. Sat Oct 17 20:42:03 -0700 2009 5111257 226450 Notorious P.I.G.