Forced to Leave Without Refund for Using Phones During Meals... Why This Ramen Shop Took Drastic Measures

Introduced for Food Quality and Hygiene
"Too Much" vs "Owner's Right"

Image of a Japanese ramen shop unrelated to the main text. Management Support Homepage

A well-known ramen restaurant in Japan has sparked heated debate after introducing a rule banning the use of smartphones during meals.

'Niboshi Ranbu', located in Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, recently announced new store usage rules through its official social media channels. According to the notice, customers are allowed to use smartphones or take photos before their food is served, but looking at a smartphone while eating is strictly prohibited. The notice also states that customers who fail to comply with these rules may be asked to leave without a refund.

Owner: "A measure for food quality and hygiene"

The restaurant explained that this policy is a decision made in consideration of both food quality and hygiene. The owner stated that, since the noodles can become soggy quickly, the "no smartphone use during meals" rule was implemented so that customers can enjoy their dishes at their best.

The owner further explained that the rule was also introduced because some customers were watching inappropriate videos while eating or placing their smartphones on top of condiment containers, which could cause problems for store operations and hygiene.

A notice of store usage rules posted inside the 'Niboshi Ranbu' store located in Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Screenshot from SNS

The owner emphasized, "I did not want to make such rules if possible, but there was no other choice," adding that it is a measure to maintain a pleasant dining environment in the restaurant.

"Excessive" vs. "Owner's Right": Divided Reactions

Reactions among netizens have been divided over the policy. Some have expressed discomfort, saying, "It's excessive to restrict even how people eat," and "It infringes on customers' right to choose."

On the other hand, many people have commented, "Store operations are at the owner's discretion," and "If it's inconvenient, you don't have to go." Especially after cases related to hygiene became widely known, more people have expressed support for the purpose behind introducing these rules.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.