Slurping ramen in Japan is not rude. It is functional — slurping aerates the noodles, enhancing the flavour and cooling them enough to eat. But it is also cultural: the sound of slurping is the sound of enjoyment, of engagement, of being fully present with the food. In a culture that values restraint, the ramen shop is one of the few places where loudness is a sign of appreciation.

Going Deeper

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