Some men in Japan are really devoted to ramen. They eat it multiple times a week – some of them daily. They write in depth about it. They can tell you the best places to go suited to your tastes and interests.
But is being super into ramen conducive to a love life? While it doesn’t rank as a top turn-off, there’s evidence that many Japanese heterosexual women will swipe left on anyone who’s too vocal about it.
“Ramen left me with nothing”
Exhibit A: This 2013 story from Mogu Mogu News that centers on a 40-something male ramen blogger named A. At one time a huge ramen devotee, A estimates he ate ramen 500 times a year (!).
One time, at a bar get-together with colleagues, some female co-workers seemingly complimented him on his extensive ramen knowledge. A proudly showed off his acumen by going into detail about the “1990s ramen ‘new wave'”. He even recommended a place to eat where he knew the owner. Mention my name and he’ll give you a free egg in your bowl, he boasted.
The next day at work, he went into the lunchroom cafeteria, where he overheard his female colleagues talking…about him.
“He’s so cooked being that deep into ramen, of all things.”
“He doesn’t have a girlfriend. It’s like he’s married to ramen.”
“His breath reeks of pork and garlic.”
A few of his male colleagues were at the table and were laughing along with the women. A went home early that day, his world shattered. The reporter who interviewed A said the man cried on the phone while describing the experience.
“Ramen left me with nothing,” he lamented.
Ramen lover == undateable?
A isn’t the only one, says MoguMogu News. Others have quit the world of ramen blogging for various reasons.
One blogger says he got fed up with competing with others. He says he can’t even look at ramen these days without getting sick. Another went into a depressive spiral, packing on 40 kilograms after the owner of his favorite ramen shop got tired of him butting into the store’s business and told him never to return.
Those are all “that’s rough, buddy” moments to be sure. But the critical question is: Does being super into ramen make a man in the world of heterosexual romance undateable?
On the one hand, ramen doesn’t figure into many popular lists of traits that Japanese women find undesirable in a man. Most Japanese lists of “off-putting hobbies” for men say these are the top turn-offs for women:
- Gambling (particularly pachinko)
- Idols
- Bodybuilding
- “Otaku” hobbies (manga, anime, plastic models)
- Motorcycles
- Investing
The common traits are hobbies that show (1) an excessive self-interest or self-importance, (2) signs that a man might be bad with money, or (3) signs that a man might be creepy or likely to cheat on his partner.
There are also the so-called “three Cs” that women should supposedly never date: cameraman, creator, and a guy who makes his own curry roux from scratch.
What makes ramen-loving a turn-off?
However, as A’s bitter experience shows, an overt love of ramen can also be seen by some Japanese women as disqualifying. One male blogger drives this home in a post warning men not to put “ramen” as an interest in their profiles because it’ll make them “unattractive” to women.
Men might argue that ramen is one of Japan’s beloved national foods. Indeed, polls show 67% of people – regardless of gender – love it. But the writer – a ramen lover himself – gives seven reasons why bragging about one’s love of the noodle soup is a turn-off to women:
- It’s a cheap food
- They’re worried a ramen shop might end up being their first date
- Excessive ramen consumption isn’t healthy
- Women who don’t like rich, oily foods will be turned off
- It’s boring to list as a hobby
- It’s a very “man’s man” interest that women will find off-putting
- Ramen feels like a childish taste
That doesn’t mean, of course, that there aren’t women who love ramen and would find this a plus on a dating profile. However, there’s adequate evidence that bragging about it will restrict the size of your dating pool. Tread wisely.
Discuss this article with other UJ fans on our Bluesky account or Discord server!
Help keep us going
We’re an independent site that keeps our content free of intrusive ads. If you love what we do, help us do more with a donation to the Unseen Japan Journalism Fund in any amount.
What to read next
Is This Ramen Chain Closing Stores Because It Sucks?
Why is this chain about to close a third of its stores in the Tokyo area? Some fans are blaming its lack of consistency.
Japanese Girls Charged Over “Food Terrorism” at a Sukiya
It’s not just foreign influencers causing trouble in Japan. Two girls in Osaka are facing charges after going viral for disgusting behavior.
Japan’s Teaboo UK Ambassador Gets Grilled Over Crumpet Topping
Hiroshi Suzuki, Japan’s ambassador to the UK, caused a stir when he brought together two British tastes that some insist don’t go together.
Sources
増えるうつ病ラーメンブロガー 「ラーメンと人間関係に疲れた」. MoguMogu News
女性に嫌がられる男性の趣味とは？新たに趣味を持つなら何がいいの？Sincerite
マッチングアプリでラーメン好きな人がモテない理由7選！なぜ女性から気持ち悪いと思われるか徹底解説. Weblog Saga
