$130 ramen fork cancels out loud slurping sounds

Oct. 24 (UPI) -- A Japanese instant noodle company has created a noise-canceling ramen fork that covers up loud slurping sounds.

Nissin, makers of the popular instant noodle Cup Noodle, shared a promotional video introducing the Otohiko, a special fork meant to ease cultural tensions by drowning out the slurping sounds Japanese natives often make while eating ramen.

"Otohiko provides a magnificent solution for 'Noodle Slurping Noise' - the cultural friction between the people who enjoy slurping noodles and the people who feels the noise uncomfortable," the company said.

A microphone embedded inside the large, white fork detects the sound of slurping, prompting the user's smartphone to play a sound effect using near-field communication.

The Otohiko is available to pre-order until Dec. 15 on Nissin's website for 14,800 ($130 USD).

Only 5,000 Otohiko forks will be made available and the product will go into production once all pre-orders have been completed.