This is a practise that might seem very rude and offputting to those used to western table manners, but it holds a different meaning within Japanese culture.
If you’ve heard of this practise but aren’t sure what it means, you’ll probably have some questions.
Why do people slurp so much in Japan? Is it seen as rude or polite? If you’re wondering these, then you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve also included a short Frequently Asked Questions section to answer any additional questions you might have.
Slurping In Japan
Japanese culture is well known for its politeness and reserved nature. People are much more conscious of noise and disturbing others within public spaces, and the streets are unusually clean when compared to western cities (despite the lack of trash cans).
So when it comes to table etiquette, you might be surprised to see that many Japanese slurp quite loudly when eating.
There are two main reasons why Japanese slurp when eating, particularly when eating noodle-based dishes. The first thing to note is that a lot of Japanese food, including noodles, exist in their peak state when they are just boiled.
This means that people like to eat their food as fresh as they can, and slurping is a by-product of eating quickly.
Secondly, slurping is widely known as a way you can enhance the flavor of food, as you are not only taking in the noodles but also the steam and hot air at the same time.
You can think of this as sharing a practise with wine tasting.
A common practise when trying to savour the taste of a new bottle of wine is to swirl it within a glass so that you can let it interact with the air more and ultimately enjoying it a little more.
In some ways, you can see the practise of slurping noodles in Japan as good table manners.
This is because you are showing that you want to eat the food quickly, and also that you are looking to properly enjoy the flavour of the dish.
How To Slurp Noodles
If you’re not used to doing this, then it’s going to seem very strange. Let’s say you’re eating a bowl of ramen that has just been served to you. Chances are, the broth is going to be very hot.
When you pick up the noodles to eat, you want to suck in as much air as you can alongside the food. This will help to not only enhance the flavour, but also show that you want to eat quickly and appreciate the food.
It can be done with any kind of noodle, including Udon, Soba and traditional Ramen Noodles.
Slurping In Western Culture
If you’re a westerner, you most likely already know that slurping is considered bad manners. In western cultures, perfect table manners tend to involve eating quietly and discreetly, and to avoid doing anything that might bother those you are dinning with.
In more traditional or formal settings, you might also find that you need to keep good postures and your elbows off of the table.
Slurping in this environment will instead show those around you that you don’t care about them, and are happy enough to eat and make noise at their expense.
The west doesn’t have some of those same cultural beliefs about food (noodles in particular) that you will find within Japan.
In short, it’s all about setting. If you’re being served food by somebody Japanese, you might want to slurp to show that you enjoy the food, but if you’re in a western setting, doing so will likely be considered rude.
Will I Be Rude If I Don’t Slurp In Japan?
In short, if you are a tourist, people will probably understand if you don’t. Japan is a very homogenous society, and people who live there typically understand that foreigners don’t quite understand all of the cultural differences.
Whilst you will likely want to conform with the general public standards of respect and care for others, little things like slurping food are not likely to be expected of you.
The most important thing to understand here is that if others slurp noodles around you, this isn’t rare and they are not trying to be rude.
You’ll want to make sure you don’t give others grief for this practise. Remember – it might be rude where you come from, but in Japan it’s totally normal!
Final Thoughts
In short, it’s considered polite to slurp noodles in Japanese Culture, but that’s not to say you’re obliged to do it as a foreigner.
We hope that this article has told you everything you wanted to know about this topic, and that you now have a lot more clarity about this issue.
If you still have some questions, check below for our short FAQ section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sluring Polite In Other Asian Countries?
You’re also likely to find that slurping is something that happens in other Asian cultures.
Japan has a lot of cross-over with other countries around them, so you’re going to find slurping not only in Japan but also China, Vietnam and Korea
Is Pointing Rude In Japan?
Pointing can be seen as rude in Japan, so it’s usually better to wave at the thing you’re trying to draw attention to. The act of pointing is usually reserved for calling out or chastising an individual for their wrong behaviour.
It’s more of an extreme gesture, and not one that you’d want to accidentally show to someone, when you’re just trying to point out something in the distance.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
