“Solo Dining Trend” Sparks Debate as Tokyo Ramen Shop Owner Requests Customers to Ditch Headphones

In recent times, the “solo dining trend” has gained popularity, with many people preferring to eat alone while listening to music or watching videos on their headphones. However, a well-known ramen shop owner in Tokyo has stirred up a heated discussion on social media by asking customers to stop wearing headphones in his restaurant.

店内でイヤホンつけるの止めて欲しい。ラーメンのお好みを伺っても聞こえてない、ラーメン出す時にお声がけしても聞こえてないから受け取ってくれない、イヤホンつけて動画見ながら食べてるから店の回転が悪くなる。（店内にはスマホ見ながらの食事は禁止と書いてあります）昔はこんな事なかったよ。

— 【武道家本店】滝坂滋晃 (@shige0805) June 25, 2024

The ramen shop “Budouka Honten,” located in Waseda, Tokyo, is highly popular, with customers willing to queue outside even in heavy rain. Recently, the shop owner, Shigeaki Takisaka, expressed his frustrations on social media, requesting customers to remove their headphones while dining. He explained that headphone-wearing patrons often fail to hear when he delivers their food or asks questions, which leads to a slower turnover rate. He lamented, “This never used to happen before.”

Takisaka’s post quickly ignited a lively debate among netizens. Many supported his view, stating, “It’s basic etiquette to take off your headphones in a restaurant,” and “If you want to watch videos with headphones, just eat instant noodles at home.” Others added, “Such people are selfish and inconvenience both the staff and waiting customers.”

However, some netizens had opposing opinions, suggesting, “Why not put up a sign at the entrance saying ‘No Headphones Allowed’? That way, I wouldn’t even enter the restaurant,” and “What does the restaurant’s turnover rate have to do with the customers?” Others noted, “People wear headphones to avoid hearing other customers’ chewing sounds.”

Takisaka pointed out that at least 30% of his customers dine with headphones on. Although the restaurant already has signs asking customers to avoid using their phones while eating when the place is full, he is considering adding a new request to refrain from wearing headphones. Nonetheless, he emphasized that these are not mandatory rules, and if customers can still hear the staff while wearing headphones and it doesn’t affect the business, he wouldn’t mind.