Forget sushi, Nairobi diners are now falling in love with ramen
Ramen is gaining significant popularity in Nairobi, with local restaurants emphasizing the cultural significance of slurping and the long preparation time required for authentic broths. Chefs explain that these traditions are essential for maximizing the sensory experience of the dish.
Why it matters
This reflects the globalization of food culture and the increasing appreciation for authentic international culinary practices in East Africa.
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.
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