I would say you should at least give it a try!
Eating noodles without making noise would be like a dog eating properly—it just doesn’t look right.
Not sure how to slurp? No worries—I’ve got you covered. It might feel awkward at first, but here’s the trick: lift up a small amount of noodles and slurp them in all at once. By inhaling air along with the noodles, you’ll be able to slurp smoothly.
There are even articles and YouTube videos teaching people how to slurp noodles beautifully, with titles like “How to Slurp Noodles Gracefully.”
In Japan, it’s normal to slurp noodles.
You might think, “What?? That’s disgusting!”
I get it—making noise while eating is considered impolite in most Western countries.
But when it comes to eating noodles in Japan (pasta isn’t included!), slurping is totally normal—and you don’t need to feel self-conscious about it! In fact, you can’t slurp noodles without making noise. Just remember: this rule only applies to noodles, so no slurping rice!
Why Do We Slurp Noodles?
Slurping actually makes noodles taste better.
Believe it or not, slurping enhances the flavor of the noodles. When you slurp, you’re also bringing in some of that delicious broth. It’s like a double treat for your taste buds—who doesn’t love a bonus?
It helps you eat hot noodles faster.
Noodles, like ramen, are served piping hot. And if you’re hungry, you don’t want to wait for them to cool down. That’s where slurping comes in! Try slurping and eating… wow, you can actually eat them even when they’re extremely hot! It’s like magic.
Well, not really magic. When you slurp, you’re also inhaling cool air along with the noodles, which helps bring the temperature down a bit. That’s why you can eat hot noodles more easily when you slurp.
There are other things you should be careful about.
- Don’t let your long hair touch the soup or noodles
When slurping noodles, you inevitably have to lean forward! But don’t let your hair touch the bowl!
- Don’t splash the soup when you slurp
Even after you put the noodles in your mouth, if you support noodles with your chopsticks all the way lightly, the soup won’t splash out.
- Don’t bite the noodles off
It’s good manners to eat noodles without biting them off. Unless they’re longer than you expected or too hot, try not to bite them.
- Put your glasses aside to keep them from getting foggy!
A Great Way to Give a Compliment?
In Japan, slurping isn’t just about eating—it’s also seen as a way to express how delicious the food is. Especially at ramen shops, when the staff hear customers slurping, they often think, “They must be really enjoying their meal!”
Noodle Harassment?
Recently, a new term has emerged in Japan: “nu-hara” (short for “noodle harassment”). This term was coined because some foreigners find the slurping sound annoying. However, most Japanese people don’t mind it at all—it’s completely normal in ramen restaurants. So don’t be shy—give it a try!