替(か)え玉(だま)

かえだま
noun
extra serving of noodles; substitute person
foodperson
1. extra serving of noodles
an additional serving of noodles added to ramen broth, typically offered at ramen shops after the customer finishes the first portion
替(か)え玉(だま)をお願(ねが)いします。
Extra noodles, please.
この店(みせ)は替(か)え玉(だま)無料(むりょう)だ。
This shop offers free extra noodles.
博多(はかた)ラーメンは替(か)え玉(だま)で有名(ゆうめい)だ。
Hakata ramen is famous for its extra noodle system.
2. substitute; stand-in; body double
a person who takes another's place, often for deceptive purposes such as taking an exam for someone else
試験(しけん)で替(か)え玉(だま)を使(つか)うのは犯罪(はんざい)だ。
Using a substitute to take an exam is a crime.
替(か)え玉(だま)受験(じゅけん)で逮捕(たいほ)された。
He was arrested for having someone else take the exam in his place.
彼(かれ)は替(か)え玉(だま)を立(た)てて出席(しゅっせき)したふりをした。
He used a stand-in to pretend he was in attendance.

Forms

替(か)え (replacement) + 玉(だま) (ball, portion) → replacement portion

Cultural note

The system comes from Hakata (Fukuoka) tonkotsu ramen: when you finish your noodles, you order a 替(か)え玉(だま) and it goes into the broth left in your bowl. Hakata's thin noodles soften quickly, so they are served in small portions and topped up this way. An extra portion usually costs 100 to 200 yen, and some shops give it free.

Usage

In the ramen sense the word is ordinary and positive. In sense 2 it implies deception:

Related Words

Compare: 身代(みが)わり (substitute)
general
Added 2026.1.26 8:11 · Revised 2026.9.25 0:27
08000/08309_kaedama