A Sound of Noodles in Japan

We Japanese are usually careful not to make noises when we eat udon, but it is acceptable to make noises when slurping soba. The sound of eating soba is expressed “ずるずる zuruzuru”.

Photos are taken by つるや, a reasonable soba and udon noodle restaurant in front of Ueno station.

ずるずる zuruzuru

“ずるずる zuruzuru” is an onomatopoeic word that represents the sound or action of dragging heavy objects or clothes in a sloppy manner or slurping up liquid with noise. It is believed that ずるずる is a variation of the word “するする surusuru.” “するする surusuru” expresses the smooth sliding of something, so when something is not smooth and has a high frictional resistance, it becomes zuruzuru.

Examples of ずるずる zuruzuru

スープをずるずると飲むのは失礼です。

/suːpu wo zuɾuzuɾu to nomu nowa ʃitsuɾei desu/

It is rude to slurp soup.

そばはずるずる音を立ててすするに限る。

/soba wa zuɾuzuɾu oto wo tatete susuɾu nikagiɾu/

When it comes to soba, slurping with a “zuruzuru” sound is the way to go.

ずるずる服をひきづって歩いてみっともない。

/zuɾuzuɾu huku wo hikizutte aɾuite mittomonai/

It is embarrassing to drag your clothes while walking.

つるつる turuturu

Soba noodles are not as smooth as udon noodles, so can we say するする while slurping udon noddles? Unfortunately, we say “つるつる turuturu” for udon noodles.

The term “つるつる turuturu” is commonly used to describe the texture of udon and soba noodles, highlighting their smoothness and slipperiness. While “ずるずる zuruzuru” specifically refers to the sound of slurping soba noodles, “つるつる turuturu” encompasses both the smoothness and sound of both udon and soba noodles.

“つるつる turuturu” is a term that can be used for people who are bald, but it is impolite to say it directly in front of the person.

Examples of つるつる turuturu

うどんがとてもつるつるで、喉ごしが良い。

/udon ga totemo tuɾutuɾu de nodogoʃiga iː/

The udon noodles were so smooth and slippery, they went down my throat effortlessly.

あの人、頭が禿げててつるつるだね。

/anohito atama ga hagete tuɾutuɾu dane/

That person’s head is bald and smooth, isn’t it?

つるや Tsuruya’s *turuturu* kishimen noodles.

もちもち mochi mochi /motʒimotʒi/

“もちもち mochi mochi” is one of the onomatopoeias used to describe the elasticity of udon noodles. Of course, it is not only used for udon noodles but also for moist and elastic cakes or dumplings that contain a little moisture. Even for plump and firm skin, the expression “mochi mochi” is used to describe its texture.