Have Noodle Slurping-Itis? This $140 Noise-Cancelling Fork's Got You Covered

It's also been labelled 2017's dumbest invention.

From the country that brought you toilets with sound to mask any unpleasant natural noises (it's a great invention) comes Japan's next unusual invention: the slurping-noise ramen fork a.k.a. the Otohiko.

In Japanese culture, slurping your ramen noodles up loudly is a way of showing appreciation to the chef, but apparently, some people outside of Japan find this custom odd. So, Nissin, the inventors of instant ramen for which the world is forever grateful, has decided to create a fork that covers the sound of slurping with a sound best described as "rushing water".

Nissin released a video to try and explain the phenomenon that Westerners feel when they hear the loud slurping of a hearty bowl of Tonkotsu. The solution? An overpriced noise-cancelling fork that's bound to quell any social fears about eating meals obnoxiously. 

The Otohiko retails for ¥14,800 (about $AUD169) and everyone's still a bit confused as to why it exists.

Twitter wasn't buying it (literally and metaphorically).

This one's for you, noodle harassers. https://t.co/BR01BVwmED

— Swapna Krishna (@skrishna) October 24, 2017

If your dining companion is zzz, just pull out this noise-canceling fork and eat in a cocoon of ambient bliss https://t.co/wn6JDaQOeq

— Greg Morabito (@GregMorabito) October 23, 2017

Instead, people suggested putting the technology to better use.

Next...they should make a coffee cup that plays noises to cover up sipping hot coffee sounds... https://t.co/71YZQHYMlA

— Carrie MacGillivray (@CMacIoT) October 24, 2017

Watch the convincing, definitely valid science experiment unfold below. If this is the invention you've been waiting your whole life for (no shame), check out the Nissin website.

Photo: Nissin