Ramen Ink
Ramen Ink Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Contents
50 double-sided score cards, 16 order cards, 40 topping cards and 5 pencils.
Aim of the Game
In each of the 6 rounds, the players choose 2 topping cards and draw the corresponding ingredients into the 8 bowls of their score card. The first of the two topping cards are chosen by the players and the last remaining topping card must be drawn by all the players. Draw the ingredients of the topping cards in the correct bowls in order to earn points. Bonuses are awarded for full bowls! The smartest player who earns the most points wins the game.
Before Starting
Give each player a score card and a pencil. Place the lid with the picture of chef Sango facing upwards in the middle of the table. Shuffle the 16 order cards and place the first 8 cards around the lid on the table. Ensure that there is 1 card at each of Sango's arms and that the 8 different orders are visible to everyone. The remaining order cards are placed back in the box.
Then shuffle the 40 topping cards and place the stack - with the ingredients facing downwards - next to the game on the table.
How to Play Ramen Ink
Ramen Ink is played in 6 rounds. There are 8 empty bowls on each player's score card. Each bowl on the score card corresponds to an order on the table and can be recognised by the number next to the bowl on the score card and Sango's arm in the lid. Each order has its own toppings and while some are earned by drawing the ingredients of the order in the correct bowl.
The player to have eaten Japanese food most recently is the active player and starts the game. The player starts the first round by turning over 1 more topping card than there are players. In other words, 3 cards if there are 2 players, 4 cards if there are 3 players, etc. Ensure that the ingredients on the cards facing upwards are visible to everyone. Each of the players then crosses off the first round on their score cards.
The Order Cards
Different orders are shown on the 8 order cards surrounding Sango. Each order consists of one of these 4 ingredients or a combination thereof.
- Aji Tama: Egg
- Nori: Seaweed
- Narutomaki: Fish cake
- Chashu: Pork
The guests have different wishes. These are clarified using 4 types of order cards:
1) Outspoken taste
Orders with only 1 type of topping (ingredient) are for guests with an outspoken taste. They're not keen on complex, cluster-like flavour explosions. This order will only earn points once at least 2 of the same toppings have been drawn in the bowl. In this example, the guest enjoys eating Aji Tama. You score +2 points for 2 eggs, +4 points for 3 eggs, +6 points for 4 eggs, etc. 1 egg does not earn any points.
Other ingredients may be drawn in the bowl, but they will not earn any points.
2) Flavour combination
There are also orders with 2 different toppings. These are for guests searching for their favourite flavour combination. This order earns +7 points if you succeed in drawing 2 of each indicated ingredient in the bowl.
Here too, other ingredients may be drawn in the bowl, but they will not earn any points.
3) Don't like
An order with 3 different toppings is for a guest who does not like the other ingredient. This order earns +4 points for each combination of 3 different ingredients included in the order. In this example, each combination of Aji Tama, Narutomaki and Chashu earns +4 points. A maximum of 8 points can be earned for this order. Here, while Nori earns no points, it may be drawn in the bowl.
Please note! When counting the combinations, the ingredients may not be re-used.
4) Food stylist
These guests are genuine 'food stylists' and want a perfectly filled bowl. Some like pairs and want a double serving of 1 ingredient. Others have a preference for a combination of 3 of the same ingredients.
- 2x (double topping): +3 points for each combination of 2 of the same toppings.
- 3x (triple topping): +5 points for each combination of 3 of the same toppings.
Please note! When counting the combinations, the toppings may not be re-used.
The active player chooses 1 topping card and places it on the table in front of him/herself.
The Topping Cards
There are two types of topping cards:
1) Cards with 2 toppings
The 2 ingredients on this card must be drawn in 2 different bowls. The bowls do not need to be adjacent to one another. Adjacent bowls are understood to mean those bowls that are next to one another on the score card, for example 3, 4 and 5, as well as 7, 8 and 1. The bowl numbers are shown next to the bowls on the score card. The exception to this rule is when a bowl has been served (see "Scoring points").
2) Cards with 3 toppings
The 3 ingredients on this card must be drawn in 3 adjacent bowls. The order of the ingredients on the topping card does not matter.
The turn then goes to the player on the left. This player chooses 1 of the remaining topping cards. Once all the players have chosen 1 topping card, they have to draw the ingredients in the bowls.
Drawing Ingredients
The numbers next to the bowls on the score card correspond with the orders surrounding Sango. It is therefore important that the players try to draw the available ingredients from the topping cards in the correct bowls. Draw the ingredients of your topping card in 1 of the 6 fields of the bowls on your score card. The following symbols can be used when drawing the ingredients:
- Aji Tama: Egg
- Nori: Seaweed
- Narutomaki: Fish cake
- Chashu: Pork
The Bin
Although it is a waste to throw away food, it is sometimes impossible to use one or more ingredients on the topping card (for example, if you have a full bowl). You may also choose to not draw ingredients. You can then throw these ingredients into the bin.
Please note! If throwing away an ingredient in a 3 ingredient card, you have to leave an empty space, for example if you throw away the middle ingredient, place the other ingredients in 4 and 6 or 8 and 2.
Cross off one box in the Bin area at the bottom right of your score card for each ingredient you throw away. The numbers above the fields show how many penalty points you will get at the end of the game for doing so:
- 3 ingredients: -1 point
- 5 ingredients: -2 points
- 6 ingredients: -3 points
- 7 ingredients: -4 points
- 8 ingredients: -5 points
Try not to waste too much! You can only throw away a maximum of 8 ingredients. The bin is then full and you must draw all the following ingredients on your score card.
A Full Bowl
If, after drawing an ingredient, the player has a full bowl containing 6 ingredients, he or she may cross off 1 of the 6 bonus fields on the top right-hand corner of his or her score card during the same turn. There are 2 types of bonuses:
- Extra toppings: When crossing off 1 of the four extra toppings shown, the player draws the chosen topping in 1 of the unserved bowls (see "Scoring points").
- Extra points: When crossing off 1 of the two points fields, the player is awarded +3 bonus points at the end of the game.
Please note! If, when filling in an extra topping, the player fills the next bowl, he or she is entitled to a second bonus, etc.
End of the Round
Once all of the players have drawn the ingredients of the chosen topping card on their score card, all of the players must also draw the ingredients of the remaining topping card on their score card. Follow the same rules that apply to the chosen topping card. The round now comes to an end. All of the used topping cards are removed from play. The player to the left of the active player becomes the new active player and starts the next round by placing the new topping cards (number of players +1) facing upwards on the table.
Please note! All of the order cards remain in play until the end of the game. Order cards that may have been turned over (see "Scoring points") remain turned over.
Scoring Points
Some guests are more impatient than others and the orders are not all served at once. After round 3 bowl 1 leaves the kitchen, followed by bowl 2 after round 4, bowl 3 after round 5 and bowls 4 to 8 after round 6.
Immediately after the abovementioned rounds, all of the players record the number of points scored for the respective bowls served on their score card. The score is determined by the type of dish and the ingredients drawn in the bowl. For a detailed look at how to score points, see "The order cards".
Following this, the order card of the bowl served is turned over and all the players cross off the served bowl on their score cards. No more ingredients may be added to this bowl during the rest of the game.
Please note! The order of the adjacent bowls changes as a result of this. Once, after round 3, bowl 1 is served, bowls 7 and 2 become the adjacent bowls of bowl 8. Once, after round 4, bowl 2 is served, bowls 3 and 7 become the adjacent bowls of bowl 8, etc.
Who Wins the Game?
The game ends after 6 rounds, once the ingredients of the last topping card have been drawn by all the players and the points of bowls 4 to 8 have left the kitchen and been recorded. The final score is calculated as follows:
- All of the players add up the points of their own 8 bowls.
- All of the players then add their bonus points - where applicable - to this score.
- All of the players then deduct the number of penalty points for the ingredients they threw away into the bin.
- All of the players record their total score on the score card.
The player with the most points is the best sous chef at Ramen Ink and wins the game! In the case of a tie, the player with the least ingredients in their bin wins.