This is the 109th most frequent Japanese word.
麺
Noodles.
麺 is used to directly refer to the noodles in the ramen dish.
私はラーメンの麺が好きです。
I like the noodles in ramen.
麺 is used to describe the noodles of udon, emphasizing the type of pasta-like food.
彼はうどんの麺を手作りしました。
He handmade the udon noodles.
麺 is used in a broader sense to refer to any dish involving noodles.