5 Things You Didn't Know You Should Avoid When Eating Ramen

I’ve made videos talking about the taboos of using chopsticks, eating sushi, and drinking saké. Then one day I received a DM on Instagram from one of my viewers, asking me if there are any rules for eating ramen.
Ramen is a popular food which Japanese people love, so there aren’t any strict rules or anything. However there are some things that you could keep in mind in order to eat neater, when you visit a ramen restaurant.
So today, I will introduce the 5 taboos of eating ramen. The 5 taboos will get more and more important towards the end, so I hope you can watch this whole video.
Today’s lesson is especially recommended for those who are willing to come to Japan to enjoy Japanese food.
If there is anything else you’d like to know about ramen or Japanese food in general after watching this video, please let me know in the comments!
[Time codes]
0:00 Let's START!
1:30 1. Long Hair Touching the Soup and Noodles
2:12 2. Making Very Loud Slurping Noise
2:55 3. Splashing the Soup When Slurping
3:46 4. Getting the Noodles Soggy
4:40 5. Chewing and Breaking the Noodles as You Eat
5:55 Today's Conclusion
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#ramennoodles #howtoeatramen #slurpingramen

[@havingicecream]

You are continually working hard to save us from embarrassing ourselves, thank you! :D

[@Guy_OFFICIAL]

100th like yay!

[@williamwoo1437]

You shouldn’t be embarrassed

[@PandaPelley]

or just being overly self conscious ahaha

[@always_serpico]

Sad how you could even feel embarrassed by eating.

[@havingicecream]

@@always_serpico I like preparing for travel to other cultures by at least learning some social rules, especially to a place like Japan that puts great emphasis on stuff like that :) I want to be a polite tourist that doesn't cause discomfort to the people living there

[@snake698]

Shogo-senpai previously: "This video makes it look like we have strict rules for everything!" Shogo-senpai now: "You should pick up five strands of noodle. If you're bold and experienced, you can pick up six."

[@gall_crafter_works]

I've always wondered how best to enjoy eating the onsen tamago / soft boiled egg. It's one of the best parts so I tend to save it for last. Ramen is truly a rewarding indulgence.

[@d34dR0d3n7]

I don't know how traditional of a method it is, but I prefer to rip it up with my chopsticks into smaller bits so can grab an occasional piece of the whites between noodles and stir the yolk in to fortify the broth some more. Does take a bit of practice, but I enjoy it.

[@laptopdragon]

western style oddly taught me to spiral the noodles on the chop sticks in the bowl to get more noodle in one pull. Similar to spaghetti where Italians fork noodles into a large spoon and spin the fork on the spoon, harvesting a ball of noodle. the spiral also harbors more broth and when the soup cools too much will make each bite as hot as possible which borders perfection by increasing noodle amount in the spiral to make it hotter when needed.

[@1j6hw74nc8]

Mr shogo I just want to say thank you because of you ive learned many things I wish you continue on teaching us things that I don't know about japanese tradition manners and beliefs. I LOVE THIS CHANNEL

[@erginbozun1755]

#3 is a problem for me, and I always suspected #5 was a taboo. Thank you for the tips to mitigate these. Also, now I'm hungry 🤭🙇🏻‍♂️

[@Miss_Wonderful1]

Not splashing the soup when slurping would be my worst nightmare. If I slurp 1 single spaghetti in tomato sauce, the sauce flies everywhere 😆 Imagine broth!

[@Lewisiaisoutofcontext]

I've gotten soup both in my eyes AND up my nose before, despite trying my best not to slurp. If I deliberately tried slurping, who knows where that soup would end up. 😰

[@peter42liter93]

dude it is so difficult, ESPECIALLY when you’re starving havent eaten all day and that ramen bowl is packed full of nutritious meat and veggies.

[@eev14]

Most of the time I can avoid it but sometimes you just splash your soup on accident.. :')

[@HockeyGoalieCoach]

Japanese “slurp” differently. Mouth is more open so lips don’t touch. It’s more like inhaling the noodles. Westerners slurp with lips closer like kissing. Try opening the mouth more and inhaling rather than sucking so the sauce or soup doesn’t go everywhere.

[@Miss_Wonderful1]

@@Lewisiaisoutofcontext That's happened to me too 🤣

[@danielergomez]

I want to take a quick moment to thank you for all your videos on Japanese culture and Bushido. I have been studying okinawan karatedo for over 45 years. Your videos have given me a deeper understanding of how karatedo evolved and why it evolved. And how to understand the art more as a Westerner. So thank you very much.

[@SoramiUchiha]

I am definitely guilty of breaking noodles....

[@kinoko6096]

I’m learning Japanese because I want to visit Japan one day, and I’m very excited to try all the food! Thanks for telling us the best ways to enjoy it.

[@uglyluffy7815]

How’s your learning so far?

[@matthewlaurence3121]

Pork with soy source base is also my favourite ramen bowl. I looked forward to my daily ramen as a skiing break, when on the slopes of Niseko. I also love the spicy variant; there is a ramen restaurant specialising in very spicy ramen at with a lot of dramatic Engrish, in Hirafu, which I recommend.

[@wakazuzu]

Have you tried Nakama Ramen in Kutchan? It's legit.

[@medsan11]

Another great one, Shogo! Thank you for sharing with us. I LOVE ramen, so many great places in NYC, hidden gems. Arigatou!

[@1Furina.de.Fontaine]

Hiii:D just wanted to thank you for your informative videos! I fell in love with japanese culture and thanks to your videos i have learned very much!

[@McLKeith]

Shogo, your videos are really well done. Thank you.

[@cyruszayonixx4234]

My favorite channel on KZbin. U cant believe how much I enjoy your content.👍👍👍👍

[@sssssssssss14]

This helped a LOT. As someone who loves ramen despite not living in Japan, I commonly make many of these mistakes. So thanks shogo, now I know how to eat ramen in a more decent way:)

[@frankrobinson1322]

Your videos are spectacular. My late mother was from Shikoku, and used to make my favorite dish for me, tonkatsu. You help me to remember my childhood. Thank you very much.

[@hunterandries2493]

Thank you for doing a ramen video for me. I love the dish and I hope to come get some in Kyoto one day. Keep up the great work!!!

[@chrisdroney8141]

Great video. I feel like I've been conscious of most of these ramen taboos for a while now, except for the chewing thing. I guess I've never even considered not-chewing my food

[@mbvmbvmbv]

i definitely didn’t know about the 5th one. neat video!

[@jscriber100]

#2 would be a huge struggle for me. I've got memories of having contests with my cousins to see who can slurp down their bowl of beef-flavored noodles the fastest, and also without choking. Suprise, suprise, I still slurp as an adult. Small details where we live, aren't so small in Japan. Thanks Shogo!!

[@pereirafer]

I wish I could watch to your videos before travelling to Japan in 2010. Although it was an extremely pleasant experience, but you, Shogo, take experiencing Japan to another Level. Thank you very much.

[@johnnyxxxv]

Very interesting and educational video, thank you for making this!

[@grufromdespicableme5561]

I've never eaten ramen before, but this video makes me want to try it so badly!

[@spooky-helix217]

How

[@fullmetalenvy13]

I love watching your videos, I actually enjoy so much the ones that has tons of history of Japan :D! I feel like I have been learning so much thanks to you! I wish to watch in the future more videos about temples, would be amazing 😍

[@BradKaboord]

I learn from your content. Thanks for the video.

[@l.michelle3497]

I really want Somen Noodles now 😊😅😅 Tomorrow I will go to my local Japanese Store and purchase some ! Thank You for Your great content 🙏

[@guilhermebraga9773]

The renge is very useful indeed, because breaking noodles is something most westerners would not know. Although the first itens were very easy, that last one was new for me

[@TheScratchingKiwi]

Swallowing long strands of noodles without chewing is uncomfortable. It feels like choking. The more firm the noodle, the worse it feels. It does not matter how many strands, it is unpleasant especially when the noodle is hot. I think I will chew noodles and have them half cooled. As much as I do not want to be rude, I don't want to die choking on noodles.

[@BKStarlet08]

What you can do is pick up the noodles and put them in the spoon, then use the spoon to eat the noodles. If the noodles are completely in your mouth it doesn’t matter if you chew them or not

[@MasterQuestMaster]

@@BKStarlet08 When watching the video, I was under the impression that you can't chew the noodles at all, even after they're inside your mouth completely, so the commenter here probably thought the same

[@BKStarlet08]

@@MasterQuestMaster yeah it definitely sounded like it! but watching it again I think he meant biting the noodle to break up what didn't make it in your mouth

[@anastasiya256]

Have you actually succeeded in swallowing unchewed noodles? I’m impressed. 😅 I’m pretty sure that’s 1. unhealthy for your gut, and 2. would trigger the barfing reflex… don’t want to barf up your noodles back into the ramen bowl, that’s for sure 😭😂

[@Lilitha11]

As others mentioned, I think the main problem is just biting off the noodle and letting part of it fall back into the bowl. So as long as they are in your mouth you can chew it.

[@Kat-fr3jn]

Thanks for the info!

[@lanmarknetworking3034]

Amazing as always

[@ANDROID-dr6yh]

This is very informative thank you

[@soldihopout]

Thank you! How kind of you.

[@DorianGay]

I always break my seasoned egg up with my spoon so it lasts longer. Glad this didn't make the taboo list, although that might just be because it's so wildly inappropriate that Shogo never dreamed someone would dare.

[@staytheknight]

The Japanese culture is COMPLETELY different than the culture that I’m used to. And tbh I had no interest in learning about your culture until my daughter started to really get into it. And the more that I’ve learned the more I’ve become fascinated with it! You’re channel is informative and entertaining. You’re doing a great job!

[@zebragiraffe1]

Having kids opens up a whole new world!

[@JasonSW]

Suddenly, I have a craving for Ramen. 😀 Great video.

[@user-nj4rl7cg4b]

I like that practical advices on eating etiquette. I will apply it even when eating a non-japanese dishes. And i don't know what my favorite japanese dish is i actually never tasted many of them

[@daisyrosario3438]

I slurp my ramen noodles when I'm home!!!😆 Happy weekend Shogo!🍜

[@bladeofbattousai]

I love these videos cause I'm very self conscious in my own country, and if I ever get lucky enough to visit Japan, I would want to do my best to not offend anyone.

[@mr.t5610]

Oh man, I'm happy that I came across your channel and all your videos after I went to Japan, if I would have seen them before, I would probably have a very hard time relaxing and try to enjoy my visit. But wait, I'm planning to go back 😲 !

[@max_ishunter]

It’s been a while since i’ve seen this video, but i am extremely surprised of how much i remembered! Whenever i go to restaurants (or make my own ramen), i always keep these in mind: - 5-6 noodles - not splashing the soup - not chewing the noodles

[@michellebrubaker8099]

I am working on trying to eat ramen "properly" so I really appreciate all the extra tips. I look forward to practicing more. YUM. 😊🍜

[@josephguillory6316]

Thank you for telling me about how to eat 🍜 ramen noodles if and when I go to Japan.

[@sandybarner1301]

Hello Shogo . The opening scene where you slice the bamboo with the sword! I like your sense of humor! I enjoy all your videos. Thank you for the gentle and well explained lessons.

[@melanieniemann4160]

Thank you for explaining how to use the renge spoon! I inherited two of them from my grandmother but didn't know what they were for so they're currently in storage.

[@robertmcneill7144]

AWESOME VIDEO it makes me hungry!

[@maksymnesterenko1646]

It's more like basic etiquette rules, it can be related to other dishes too. Thanks for video 👍

[@dimplesd8931]

Love ramen and these tips.

[@gnollman]

I learned how to eat ramen from a Japanese truck driving friend at highway rest-stops. He always said the best way to eat ramen was to pick up the bowl and not set it down until you're done. He'd say if you weren't sweating, eyes tearing, and nose running by the time you finished eating a hot bowl of ramen, it wasn't hot enough. Yet he still managed to not break a single one of these taboos. I never could duplicate the way he'd eat without splashing any broth.

[@michaelschonhofen622]

I am very lucky to have a japanese restaurant in my home city. It was opened by people who studied japanese culture. At the beginning, they just had donburi and no ramen, because thats the way it is done in Japan, specialized in one kind of dish. But they got asked so much about ramen, so now they offer them too.

[@larryking8074]

I love Ramen, thank you for the etiquette lesson.

[@killua_thecatboy]

Ramen is truly delicious and I love it so much especially the miso ramen. The onsen tamago (soft boiled egg) tastes so nice. The thing about eating ramen noodles is to eat it very gently and slowly as always.

[@LaNoir.]

japanese businessmen would disagree

[@yauyuso]

I grew to love ramen myself. Nice video!!!

[@l.michelle3497]

Thanks!

[@johankawagnerova3663]

Arigatou. This video was very useful. I didnt know about the last one. Moichidou arigatou

[@stephenmeaney9531]

thank you. most of what you stated i find followed in my youth in Hawaii.

[@fiores1995]

This video was so in time! i mean, yesterday i watched epispde 168 of classic Naruto (yes, filler) and choji tells about how to eat the ramen properly. Interesting to know more about this, ty Shogo :))

[@rossanacarboni9518]

it's nice to know new things 😊

[@dotty7789]

There's a ramen bar where I live. They only have dinner hours and their food is delicious. I'll definitely keep these in mind for next time!

[@BKStarlet08]

I just had ramen yesterday actually 😄 one big issue I definitely have is splashing while slurping. The spoon definitely helps make things cleaner. I had no idea that breaking the noodles was taboo, but also I rarely ever do it because slurping the noodles is so much fun!

[@chucklarock8010]

Awesome video :D

[@pookyac42]

I still don't understand why I should adjust the playback speed - 'normal' sounds perfectly fine to me. 🤷‍♂️🙂 Edit: Still my hardest struggle will be to use chopsticks properly 🙈😄.

[@JesseNightingale]

Agreed

[@bintobox]

Yeah I was sorta confused why it asked people to

[@youngjellyfish8694]

It is probably just to make the video quicker to watch. Making it quicker to watch probably makes the experience better for some people

[@passingextraterrestrial]

Probably because he has a more slow and deliberate way of speaking, and some people prefer to have people talk a bit faster. I prefer having it on normal too though, it makes it easier to understand 🤣

[@zaquinviola6204]

This was very useful

[@MissOtaku18]

Thank you so much Shogo for these informational videos! I have a lot of social anxiety and the last thing I want to do when visiting a new country is unintentionally offend someone

[@randymarsh5176]

i like how most of the video explains HOW to do it and not what not to do

[@comkver]

I love renge spoons.

[@Tigerblade2002]

Very educational. Arigato gozaimashita!

[@julien2231]

Why do you want us to increase play speed? Also, i discovered your channel randomly this week and i LOVE it!!

[@TheRealMonkeyrogue]

Hey Shogo, I'll look it up independently in a second. The name of the spoon has a word and I couldn't hear it because of the background music (I have a loud AC), but it helps when it's printed on the screen. My brain puts the two together easier. Thank you for all your hard work! Your videos are absolutely masterpieces.

[@TheRealMonkeyrogue]

Renge! There it was! Going for ramen.... I'm hungry now. 😆

[@dhruvchandra6049]

General Shogo, I see you have added some fine additions to your collection

[@cantsay]

I always wondered how to slurp and not splash. I think it's a learned technique because I just can't figure out how to slurp and not splash. I was always confused because I assumed plashing must be normal, but japan is so clean so I couldn't understand why they would have such a dirty custom, but if there is a way to slip and not splash, that is news to me!! Thank you Shogo!!!

[@Badger285]

First, I wish to say Thank You. Always enjoy your shows🙂 Next I may ask, is it taboo to use a fork? My hands do not work well and using chop sticks, after a time hurts.

[@nagatotoro]

5 has always been a pet peeve of mine growing up. Always bothered me when others would do it. Surpised to see it actually is a taboo.

[@mokko759]

Firm noodles are always the way to go. I'm a slow eater and am never be able to finish my ramen before the noodles go soggy if I get anything less than firm noodles. Firm noodles, miso garlic broth, buttered corn, baby spinach if I don't have nori, soft boiled egg and... the most blasphemous ingredient of all, cubed paneer. I don't like tofu, I think it's awful. Paneer has a similar texture to tofu and a very mild flavour that is a great at soaking up the flavour of the broth. It serves the same function as tofu but I think it much nicer than tofu.

[@bitfreakazoid]

Noticed the new logo you guys designed. I think it looks nice. :)

[@pogz1]

this video is informative

[@jacobfield4420]

Nissin is the original ramen...it says so on the package:) Great channel bro!

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

THANKS :)

[@josecruz8803]

Oh I love ramen noodles! I make my own for the family and its such a great night. In fact, I have to make it again soon 😉

[@realnotes]

Thank you

[@akaroth7542]

This will be useful knowledge on my quest for Zima.

[@jperala658]

The thing I have always wondered about when eating ramen is whether, after I have eaten all of the noodles, it is ok to drink the remaining broth directly from the bowl.

[@Hibashira007]

Speaking of ramen (and eating)… Can you explain the etiquette of using the ticket machine outside a restaurant? So we pre-select and pre-paid. What happens when we see additional things we want to order once we sat down or in the middle of the meal?

[@10RexTheWolf01]

I most definitely do #5 sometimes

[@Lilitha11]

I feel like all of these except eating quickly, also apply to eating spaghetti in the west. So they seem like very natural things to avoid.

[@Gothead420]

I never knew I needed to know this...but now I'm glad I do...😶

[@Andulsi]

One of my favourite foods. I miss Japan...

[@mgrzx3367]

I was going to say something very profound here about the Ramen I make in the USA. But it got too babbly and didn't want to subject you to it. So, I did watch " Tampopo " so I know how to slurp my noodles. Arigato gozaimasu Sensei. This student is overwhelmed by your knowledge.

[@AliasAerius]

Yes, anyone who wants to know more about Ramen should definitely watch Tampopo.

[@undeadbandit835]

Ate ramem today for the first time, it was delicious

[@gypsysnowwolf2313]

This made me hungry for ramen now. 😋🍜🍥

[@TheRazo2007]

The 5th one I've been asking myself for while lolz

[@Leonardo-cs9ij]

Sumimasen, I don’t believe you linked your favorite restaurant in the description!! I’m possibly planning a trip in October and would like to visit it!! Arigato!!

[@ronsorage78]

I've never been a fan of just the noodle. I always felt I'd didn't have much of a flavor. I like them better after taking in some of the broth flavor. I, like yourself, don't like very hot food.

[@kamaeq]

Thanks again. Interestingly enough, the Italians I learned to eat spaghetti dishes from taught biting the noodles to not overfill your mouth.

[@galion1991]

Hi Shogo! Awesome video! I'm learning Japanese and I'm always wondering what you're saying before diving in in each video. I'm able to catch それでは 。。。 まりましょう What is the middle part? You usually say something that sounds like: 「ほんじつも」 But I'm not sure that's right or what that means? And today you added 「おいしいおいしいラーメン食べてまりましょう」 Is any of that right? 😅

[@eileennono5039]

I always wondered if it was bad to lift the noodles and blow on them to cool them down. There is a Japanese run ramen place in Toronto where you can order an extra portion of noodles after your order has been served. That way if you can have more noodles but don't have to worry about it getting soggy at the end.

[@surlyogre1476]

Thanks, Shogo; now I know what the Japanese soup spoon is called. ;-)

[@karmagreif]

Interesting Video! I never thought there was so much to know about Ramen and how to eat it but one question I've had in my mind for a long time is: When you finish the noodles and the other ingredients, how do you consume the broth? You obviously can't eat it with chopsticks and drinking it from the bowl or just leaving it would seem kind of rude to me.

[@geofjones9]

I've watched Vietnamese people drink the broth from Pho.

[@ItsOnLikeJon13]

Hi Shogo, I was just wondering, in relation to this topic, is it okay to pick up the bowl to drink the broth? I just love the broth so much and wanna make sure I don't miss a single drop 😅

[@scottb828]

Based on my observation in Japan, it's almost required that you pick up the bowl to drink the soup. Nearly everybody does it.

[@death12100]

I’d love to see it episode of your favourite Ramen place