In Japan, diners often slurp loudly when eating traditional soba, udon, and ramen noodles, which have longer strands than Italian pasta.

Many wonder why a nation that values quietness, like Japan, maintains this custom. In reality, the slurping sound indicates enjoyment and is an indirect way of complimenting the chef.

Many foreign visitors are surprised by the Japanese custom of slurping noodles loudly. *Pakutaso/SoraNews24*

The main reasons for slurping noodles are convenience and flavor. Japanese people use chopsticks and cannot twirl noodles as one would with a fork. Slurping helps quickly bring food to the mouth, avoiding awkward actions like licking chopstick tips.

Additionally, noodle dishes like soba, ramen, or udon often come with hot broth. Slurping allows air to enter, cooling the noodles and preventing mouth burns. Japanese culinary experts state that this eating method brings aromas directly to the olfactory receptors, enabling diners to fully appreciate the dish's flavor.

In Japanese noodle shops, the slurping sound becomes part of the ambiance, similar to the bubbling of a hotpot or the sizzling of a grill.

Soba noodles - one of Japan's three traditional noodle dishes. *SoraNews24*

Horii Yoshinori, owner of the 220-year-old Sarashina Horii soba noodle shop in Tokyo, explains this custom from a historical perspective.

According to him, buckwheat (the ingredient for soba noodles) appeared in Japan centuries ago. Soba noodles gained popularity during the Edo period (1603-1868), becoming a primary choice for the working class due to their nutritional value, affordability, and quicker harvest compared to rice. By 1800, Edo city (present-day Tokyo) had around 700 soba shops, ranking second only to izakaya pubs in number.

At mobile stalls, diners often ate quickly while standing to continue their work, disregarding the strict dining etiquette of the aristocracy. Slurping gradually became natural, spreading to the consumption of ramen and other noodles, a practice that continues today.

While slurping is the best way to enjoy soba, Horii does not force customers to do so. He believes customer satisfaction is paramount. Those unfamiliar with slurping can chew slowly to savor the flavor in their own way.

Many international visitors also consider slurping noodles loudly in restaurants impolite.

A TV Asahi program in 2024 revealed that not all tourists are comfortable with this culture in Japan. A male French tourist recounted feeling annoyed by the slurping sounds of those around him in a soba shop.

A SoraNews24 survey conducted on Facebook in 2024 showed that 89% of the 965 participants were not bothered by the slurping sounds. While the survey group noted that the results do not represent the entire international community, this figure reassures locals about their cultural characteristic.

In long-standing noodle shops like Sarashina Horii, locals often guide tourists on how to slurp properly. Understanding local culture is more important than rigidly adhering to etiquette rules. Thus, slurping becomes a soulful part of the culinary landscape in the land of cherry blossoms.

Minh Phuong (SoraNews24, Nippon)