Today I experienced something that still has me a little stunned. After returning from the Sony Building, Nick, Radin and I went to eat and a vending machine restaurant. This was my first time eating there during a heavy traffic time. Normally I am there late in the evening when many of the Japanese locals are not. While sitting there enjoying my meal of pork and rice I was startled by the sounds around me. As I looked up I noticed that I was surrounded my natives, slurping away at their Ramen. There we were sitting quietly eating our meals, and ten or so Japanese businessmen were slurping down their food noisily. I then remembered that while eating Ramen it is not seen as being rude, but rather as a compliment to the chef. I am still confused by this Japanese custom of eating, but alas, I myself am not Japanese. I was taught my whole life to eat a certain way and I am not sure I will ever really be comfortable any other way.
May 27, 2010
S1yce
Botorow1 in Japan Blog 
5 responses to “Slurping”
kiyabarden
June 1st, 2010 at 14:46
This is quite interesting being that the Japanese culture is so big on respectfulness and quiet. That picture is awesome as well. It sounds a bit odd to know that you could actually “slurp” on noodles. Of anything, noodles are one of the quietest food that I can eat. I guess it all depends on your way of eating but that noisiness seems to a bit contradictory of the Japanese culture and how they prefer everything to be quiet.
iamnicholashenry
June 4th, 2010 at 13:46
This was one of the most surprising parts of our trip for me as well. As much as I had tried to be sensitive to cultural differences while in Japan, I could not logically explain to myself why anyone would ever want to hear others slurping their food, even as a chef wanting to hear a patron enjoying their food. If you have ever actually watched someone eating, it is not a pretty process, even if it is necessary for life.
jodarbs
June 6th, 2010 at 18:44
Many ways of the Japanese culture seem very different to me compared to that of America’s culture. I too was taught as a child that slurping was rude and impolite yet I had to get use to the way things were done in Japan in many different settings. Another example of something that is acceptable at dinner in Japan but not at all in America, would be taking your shoes off at the dining table. I don’t know about many people but I would rather not smell feet while I eat my dinner. This aspect would cause me to lose my appetite.
mavichakp1
June 7th, 2010 at 15:27
For those of you who were amazed by this, I think reason why slurping is consider as a compliment to the chef fall into “This noodle are so delicious that it make the one who ate it forgot all about keeping their manner” kind of logic. I’m not sure if this is true though but it kind of make sense to me when I think that way.
jaredinjapan
June 8th, 2010 at 21:05
The only thing that makes me sad about slurping in Japan is that I’m not a very loud when I slurp. I was hoping to take full advantage of the fact that I could eat noisily in Japan and be seen as a very appreciative customer. I’m pretty certain the locals have laughed at me a couple of time as I clumsily tried to slurp a mouthful of noodles and got the soup all over the table.