Forget sushi, Nairobi diners are now falling in love with ramen

Slurping your food while you eat might be considered mannerless and unrefined in many cultures. But in Japanese culture, it is perfectly acceptable, encouraged even, when eating ramen.

“When you slurp, you draw in air alongside the noodles and broth. This allows the aromas to travel to your nasal cavity so that you get a more intense flavour profile of the dish,” says Wangari Wachira, one of the founders of Shokudo Japanese Restaurant in Nairobi.

The process is often compared to swirling a glass of wine before tasting it to create a fuller sensory experience. But that’s not its only purpose. Ramen is typically served scalding hot, and drawing in air as you eat can help cool the noodles and broth as they enter your mouth.

According to Koki Nakaya, the CEO of Sushi Ramen Bar by ChiQ Japanese Restaurant, slurping also signals enjoyment in Japan.