In Japanese culture slurping your noodles shows how MUCH you are enjoying your meal. The slurping process also cools down the noodles and enhances flavors, so don’t feel uncomfortable and just slurp it!
Western societies instill the idea that when consuming noodles, broth, or anything else for that matter, one must always eat in silence and refrain from ever making slurping noises.
Slurping noodles is highly encouraged in cultures like Chinese and Japanese as a sign of enjoyment and appreciation for the meal.
As the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” proper noodle-eating manners depend on which country and culture you are physically eating that bowl of noodle soup in. ”.
If everyone in the establishment is slurping away, it is probably acceptable and okay to do the same.
Slurping is acceptable and explained in these cultures as a way to improve the flavor and eating experience while praising the chef.
First of all, slurping causes the hot broth to cool off the noodles. The noodles won’t be enjoyable if you wait for the bowl to cool down because they’ll be too soggy.
Second, slurping sucks in oxygen as you inhale the food. By aerating the noodles and broth, more flavors are enhanced and revealed. Additionally, inhaling through your nose simultaneously makes use of your sense of smell to enhance the tasting experience.
Third, slurping is regarded as a sign to the kitchen staff in some cultures that you are fully enjoying and appreciating the meal. You are giving your compliments to the chef.
Although slurping is encouraged, even when it’s loud, take care not to slurp carelessly and accidentally hit your neighbors with broth.
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About the “Noodle Harassment” Controversy in Japan
In the fall of 2016, there was some controversy surrounding “noodle harrassment,” or “nu-hara,” which was started by a Twitter user who asserted that Japanese citizens’ loudly slurping noodles is a form of harassment because it makes foreign visitors uncomfortable. Soon, social media platforms and television media were host to a heated argument between those who thought slurping noodles was acceptable and those who thought Japanese should be more careful not to embarrass foreigners while eating. Of course, even in Japan, speaking loudly while eating is considered impolite. Noodles are the only exception to this rule, and many people enjoy slurping and making noise while they consume them. Here are a few explanations for why Japanese people enjoy slurping their noodles.
So, why do Japanese slurp?
Slurping is thought to have originated only 400 years ago when soba (buckwheat) noodles first took on their current shape and taste, becoming one of the most popular fast foods in Edo (the former name of Tokyo), in contrast to many other aspects of Japanese culture that have a long history. People used to slurp only when they were eating soba noodles, which is where the tradition started. But as time went on, the range of foods to which the custom applied expanded to include ramen, udon (wheat flour) noodles, and any other kind of noodle you can imagine. But why do Japanese slurp? There are basically two reasons. The first reason, which is also the reason why this behavior began, is to experience the retronasal smell of buckwheat because soba lacks a strong aroma that is typically detectable through the nose. Retronasal smell is more commonly known as mouth smell, which is the ability to perceive flavor dimensions of foods. The other purpose is to avoid tongue burn when consuming hot noodle dishes. Allowing air into the mouth while slurping causes the temperature of the noodles to decrease. The noodles soak up the water, resulting in thicker noodles and a less satisfying taste, so you can enjoy your deliciousness without having to wait for them to cool down. Additionally, after the Japanese started slurping soba, they realized that ramen, which is served hot, tastes even better when slurped. To support this theory, some experts discovered that the food appeared much more appetizing when slurped because doing so required keeping the lips slightly open, which means they do not wipe off the soup on the noodles as much as when the lips are closed, allowing more flavor to reach the taste buds. The first thing that needs to be said in order to respond to the question “then, why dont they use a spoon to taste the soup/avoid burning?” is that the slurping culture first developed before the Japanese became accustomed to western utensils. Given that chopsticks were the primary eating utensil in Japan for a very long time and that the Japanese wooden spoon (called Saji) and any other types of cutlery hadn’t yet become widely used by civilians, one theory contends that the Japanese were already a slurp-friendly nation more than 1000 years ago. It indicates that they were forced to place their lips on a soup bowl and take a sip. People were therefore adept at creating a variety of sounds when they were eating. Because of this, Japanese people still slurp today rather than strictly using a spoon to prevent noise.
FAQ
Is it rude to slurp noodles in Japan?
Loud slurping may be rude in the U. S. however, refusing to slurp is considered impolite in Japan. Oh, and remember to put the noodles in your mouth with your chopsticks. Instead of lowering your head to eat from your plate, you are also permitted to bring your small bowl of food close to your face.
Why is it rude to slurp noodles?
Western societies instill the idea that when consuming noodles, broth, or anything else for that matter, one must always eat in silence and refrain from ever making slurping noises. Slurping noodles is highly encouraged in cultures like Chinese and Japanese as a sign of enjoyment and appreciation for the meal.
Is it polite to make a sound while eating noodles in Japan?
Making noise while eating is considered impolite in the U S. There are a few notable exceptions, though, including when you eat Japanese noodles (soba, udon, ramen, somen, whatever), when you eat miso soup, and when you drink sake.
Why do Asians slurp their noodles?
In Japan and China, slurping your noodles loudly is a sign of gratitude to the chef for your one-bowl meal and is regarded as a compliment to the cook.
