Skip to main content

Of course the world needs this noise-canceling fork that masks noodle slurping

【音彦PV】麺すすり音カモフラージュ機能搭載フォーク「音彦」

We’ve all been annoyed by a someone slurping their soup or ramen before, but chances are you’ve never thought someone would create a product that serves as a solution for this vile sound. Well, we’re happy to announce that a Japanese instant-noodle titan Nissin has stepped up and created a noise-canceling fork designed to drown out the sounds from slurping ramen and other noodles.

Recommended Videos

 The Otohiko, as it’s called, is a ramen utensil that’s designed to create a bridge between the “cultural friction” that exists among cultures that allow slurping and cultures that don’t.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

To illustrate this friction, Nissin rolled out a video that features three Japanese people sitting across from a group of Westerners at a table. One of the Japanese men — a businessman wearing a suit — offers a cup of ramen to the Westerners.

The Westerners start eating the ramen quietly, enjoying their treat. The Japanese then start eating their own ramen, making slurping noises while consuming them. The Westerners find the sound off-putting — which kicks off a series of events that ultimately lead to the creation of the Otohiko fork.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nissin says it collected vast amounts of data by recording slurping noises while people ate ramen noodles. The company then mined the data from the recordings to identify the key elements of the slurping sound.

Then came Otohiko: a fork that looks vaguely like an electric toothbrush, and is equipped with a highly directional microphone that recognizes the slurping noise. A signal is sent to the device, which immediately emits a loud, electronic noise that sounds like waves washing ashore combined with futuristic space sounds.

Nissin has started a crowdfunding campaign for the Otohiko fork in which the company will start manufacturing the product if more than 5,000 people pre-order the noise-cancelling ramen fork. It will retail for 14,800 JPY (US$130) per fork.

Although many of us in the Western world do not understand the slurping of ramen noodles, the Japanese argue that slurping is the right way to consume them as you can draw out more of the flavors in the noodles. In fact, slurping is encouraged in Japanese restaurants as it is considered the polite way of consuming noodles. Burping, however, is discouraged.

Karl Utermohlen
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Karl Utermohlen is a finance and tech journalist with an MFA in creative writing from the University of Idaho. his do Zelda…
Last day to get this Arlo security camera bundle for $200!
The contents of the Arlo Pro 5S 2K 3-Camera Bundle.

To ensure the safety of your family and your home, you're going to want to take advantage of security camera deals. Here's a package that you should consider -- the Arlo Pro 5S security camera bundle for only $200 from Best Buy, following a huge $300 discount on its original price of $500. This offer started yesterday and will only last through the day today though, so if you want to get it for less than half-price, you'll need to complete your transaction for it immediately. Don't wait until the last minute as there's a chance that the stocks that are up for sale run out quickly!

Why you should buy the Arlo Pro 5S security camera bundle
It's the Arlo Pro 4 that's sitting on top of our list of the best home security cameras, but the Arlo Pro 5S is an amazing option. Our Arlo Pro 5S versus Arlo Pro 4 comparison reveals that the newer model is worth the extra cost for features such as dual-band Wi-Fi with support for 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks, a low power mode that saves up to 30% more battery, and enhanced protection during Wi-Fi outages. The Arlo Pro 5S is capable of capturing videos at up to 2K resolution with a 160-degree viewing angle and color night vision. You can also opt to sign up for an Arlo Secure membership for extra benefits such as cloud recordings, smart notifications, and more.

Read more
This new air purifier from SwitchBot features a HEPA filter and can charge your smartphone
The SwitchBot Air Purifier Table near a bed.

SwitchBot has officially launched two new air purifiers -- the SwitchBot Air Purifier and the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table. Both are equipped with a HEPA filter to tackle all sorts of air particulates and allergens, though the Air Purifier Table offers several additional features that make it a more versatile member of your smart home.

Regardless of which air purifier you choose, you’ll get a capable device that can clean a 215-square-foot space in just over seven minutes. For a larger 1,800-square-foot space, that gets bumped up to an hour. Carrying a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of 236 cubic feet per minute and capable of operating at a quiet 20dB, it should be a solid choice for both standard bedrooms and larger living spaces. Along with a HEPA filter to remove bacteria, the SwitchBot Air Purifiers feature a carbon filter to extract pet odors from the air along with a pre-filtration layer to trap pet fur.

Read more
Serta’s Presidents Day Sale: Save Nearly $1,000 on Adjustable Mattress Sets
A couple in a Serta bed.

You don’t have to wait for a major holiday to snag deals on mattresses. Serta is offering up to $925 off select styles that’ll save you nearly $1,000 during their Presidents Day sale — and serve you with some hotel-worthy comfort. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing bed or are buying your first-ever mattress for a new home, refresh your bedroom without having to pay full price.

The best part? That’s not the only sale Serta is hosting. In addition to Presidents Day discounts, the mattress brand is celebrating their 25th anniversary and is giving you $25 Extra Birthday Bucks that’ll drop the price on certain mattresses and more sleep essentials. Keep reading to learn how you can get close to $1,000 off on a new mattress.

Read more