The Japanese love the buckwheat noodles known as soba. Served cold as Mori Soba, they are dipped in a broth and slurped up from that. Although noodles are eaten in many countries, this way is truly distinctive. Foreigners are also likely to be astonished by the sight of people drinking sobayu, the water in which the noodles are simmered. Then add the fact that the eater is expected to make slurping noises! It seems very bad mannered but is believed to make the noodles taste better.