"News hit that Ichiran, a ramen empire that's been slinging noodles in Japan for five decades, is gearing up for their New York debut. And with that opening excitement came some confusion: Why are the bowls served in single-seat booths divided by walls? Why is there such little human interaction? In fact, these customs aren't so strange after all. In Japan, eating ramen is by nature a solo experience: Either you order and eat briefly at the counter and get on your way, or you're slurping and savoring the soup in a solitary booth. It's not as much of a social experience as family-style meals. To make this distinction clear, Ichiran created a "System Guide" that outlines its serving process. The final step: "concentrate on the flavor."" - rønin