It is not only socially acceptable to slurp when eating noodles or soup, it is considered polite and a sign that the meal is being enjoyed.
Slurping your noodles loudly is considered a compliment to the chef throughout Japan and China – a sign of deep appreciation for your one-bowl meal. In South Korea and Singapore, however, not so much. There, you might get unappreciative glances – the kind you get when you talk too loudly in a quiet train carriage.
When eating the noodles, slurp away! Loud slurping may be rude in the U.S., but in Japan it is considered rude not to slurp. Oh, and don't forget to use your chopsticks to get the noodles into your mouth.
#2 Japan. In many countries, slurping is seen as rude and irritating especially while eating or drinking. I am sure you remember hearing your parents say so when you were little.
Cultures such as Chinese and Japanese, highly encourage slurping noodles as an expression of enjoyment and appreciation of the food being eaten.
Some good news, while slurping can be a sign of bad manners in other countries, in Japan it's completely acceptable and encouraged. In Japanese culture slurping your noodles shows how MUCH you are enjoying your meal.
For example, it is usually considered polite to slurp or make noises while eating in Vietnam. This is especially true when it comes to eating noodles: slurping is the norm and there are many (good) reasons for this, all of which are related to taste, flavour, and general enjoyment of the food you're eating.”
Japan is a country which has many unique cultures within it, and slurping is one of the most unusual characteristics! This can be a huge surprise when you come across it for the first time as it often is considered as a bad behavior at meal in many other countries.
Blowing your nose at the table, burping and audible munching are considered bad manners in Japan. On the other hand, it is considered good style to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice.
Contrary to the West, where burping after a meal is considered rude, in Egypt burping loudly after a meal is considered good dining etiquette and signifies your appreciation of the food you've just eaten. In fact burping is often considered the highest compliment a guest can pay the host on the food prepared by them!
Myth: Slurping while eating ramen is a sign of appreciation—and encouraged. Andoh says: It's unremarked upon, meaning that making noise is not only okay, it's the norm. It's not just ramen but any noodles. Personally for myself, I still can't slurp without getting hiccups.
It's perfectly good manners in Japan to pick up the bowl you're eating from in one hand while you eat, and totally acceptable to drink soup straight from the bowl.
Most western table manners also apply in China. For example, watching TV and playing with your phone during a meal is considered bad manners. Similarly, chewing loudly or speaking with your mouth full would be deemed impolite. Lastly, one should cover their mouth when coughing, sneezing, or picking teeth.
You should pick up your bowl with your thumb on the mouth of the bowl, first finger, middle finger the third finger supporting the bottom of the bowl and palm empty. If you don't pick up your bowl, bend over the table, and eat facing your bowl, it will be regarded as bad table manners.
Making noise is not considered impolite, rather it is considered a compliment and an expression of enjoying the food. In some situations, a particularly loud slurp means you've finished eating.
Chewing open-mouthed (including chewing gum), slurping loudly, burping and talking with a full mouth are considered very rude. If you do any of these things accidentally, say "pardon me" or "excuse me."
Always finish your meal!
The Japanese consider it rude to leave food on your plate, and even more so to order more food when you haven't finished everything you've already got. This is related to one of the fundamental concepts in Japanese culture, mottainai, which is a feeling of regret at having wasted something.
It's considered both rude and crude — something you simply shouldn't do around other people. The act goes by many names — cutting the cheese, blowing a raspberry, letting it rip, passing gas, breaking wind and tooting.
Most Koreans do not eat with a knife or fork. Slurping and belching are acceptable while dining, and is sometimes considered a sign of appreciation of the cooking. Tipping is not a part of the culture in Korea.
6 China: Leave Food On Your Plate
This is the case in China. It's considered rude to eat everything on your plate because doing so implies that you're still hungry, even if you're not. That means that the host hasn't done a satisfactory job of providing enough food and can make them feel bad.
#5 Slurping is a good thing
In fact, slurping is customary when eating ramen as it aerates the liquid, allowing you to taste more flavours.
People need to refrain from leaving chopsticks in the food bowl if they are not eating as it is considered rude table behavior. The quality of its broth determines the quality of Pho. So, before eating Pho, you need to make sure that the broth has the right balance of flavor according to your taste.
Common taboos in Vietnam
Avoid Public Touching: Public displays of affection are not seen as appropriate. Avoid hugging, holding hands, and especially kissing in public. Even touching a member of the opposite sex is looked down upon. Modesty: It is important to keep your body covered.
Koreans often make loud slurping noises when eating noodles. Making noise is not considered impolite, rather, it is considered a compliment and an expression of enjoying the food. In some situations, a particularly loud slurp means you've finished eating.