Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- sweet
- wistful
- gentle
- comfort viewing
- food movie night
What critics said
Critics found the film sweet and atmospheric in its food-centered cross-cultural redemption story, though some viewed its analysis and execution as vacuous and uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Abby moves from romantic dependence and aimlessness toward disciplined ramen apprenticeship.
Abby's limited Japanese complicates her Tokyo work, apprenticeship, and social integration.
Maezumi refuses to indulge Abby, assigns her cleaning, and tests her persistence before teaching her cooking.
Maezumi's ramen first comforts Abby and later gives her a shared language with the shop's community.
Films like The Ramen Girl, and why
Tampopo
food-centered character growth, cross-cultural fish-out-of-water comedy, and warm romantic drama
Babette's Feast
culinary apprenticeship, redemptive comfort food, and gentle multicultural drama
The Karate Kid
outsider finds purpose through demanding mentorship and persistent self-improvement
Lost in Translation
romantic displacement, cultural immersion, and bittersweet personal transformation
Movie Details
- Director
- Robert Allan Ackerman
- Release Date
- 2008-02-08
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (380)
Cast
- Brittany Murphy
- Tammy Blanchard
- Gabriel Mann
- Toshiyuki Nishida
- Soji Arai
- Kimiko Yo
- Renji Ishibashi
- Akiko Monou
- Tsutomu Yamazaki
- Takaki Uda
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Ramen Girl about?
- After being abandoned in Tokyo, an aimless American woman finds purpose, discipline, and belonging through a difficult ramen apprenticeship.
- What is The Ramen Girl like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Ramen Girl as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Ramen Girl violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Ramen Girl.
- What did critics think of The Ramen Girl?
- Critics found the film sweet and atmospheric in its food-centered cross-cultural redemption story, though some viewed its analysis and execution as vacuous and uneven.
- Which films are like The Ramen Girl?
- Films with a similar feel include Tampopo, Babette's Feast, The Karate Kid, and Lost in Translation.
- How long is The Ramen Girl?
- The Ramen Girl runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Ramen Girl?
- In United States, The Ramen Girl streams on Philo.
