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For many Chinese train travelers, especially those going long distances and spending entire days or nights on the train, an easy instant noodle (pào miàn 泡面) meal and a quick cigarette break on the platform during a short stop are standard — even indispensable — parts of the journey.

But some changes may be on the horizon. Over the past few days, heated discussions on Chinese social media have focused on the future of these train “traditions.”

Instant noodles on long-distance trains have been a common way to eat since the early 1990s. Trains usually provide free boiling water to cook the noodles, making them a convenient way to have a hot meal for lunch or dinner — and much cheaper than the boxed rice meals offered on board.

Image via @人民网评.

This month, Guangzhou East Railway Station, along with Baiyun Railway Station, suddenly stopped selling instant noodles in station shops. The change, implemented in August, triggered the so-called “Railway Instant Noodles Debate” (高铁泡面话题).

According to reports, the decision is tied to nationwide railway efforts to “maintain cleanliness” in stations and on trains, and to provide passengers with “higher-quality service.”

Further adding to the unrest is the fact that the China Railway travel guide also advices passengers to avoid eating strongly odorous foods such as “durian, instant noodles” during their travels. Whereas regular instant noodles can be brought on board, they’re officially not recommended to eat. Durian and stinky tofu are not allowed, along with self-heating hotpots, which can trigger smoke alarms.

The phrase “High-speed railways are de-instant-noodling” (#高铁去泡面化#) trended on Weibo.

Although official railway customer service stated they have not received any notice about an official, nationwide ban on instant noodle sales in high-speed rail stations, the topic still generated major discussion.

At the core of the debate is this contradiction: everyone enjoys eating their own noodles on the train, but many people hate the smell of other people’s noodles. Beyond the strong smell, people walking through the carriage with their hot noodles also pose a safety hazard (not to mention the mess when someone accidentally drops their cup noodles).

 
Smoking on Train Platforms: The Stinkier Problem?
 

The noodle debate soon expanded into another topic: smoking on train platforms. Many netizens argue that smoking on platforms is a far more pressing issue than passengers eating noodles (#高铁站台禁烟比禁止吃泡面更紧迫#), as cigarette smoking before/during travel on the outside train platforms causes a real nuisance for people who just want some fresh air.

It’s clearly a hot topic these days, with various related hashtags going trending. One media post about banning smoking on platforms vs. banning noodles on trains received nearly 80,000 likes and thousands of comments.

In China, it’s very common for passengers to take a quick cigarette break on the platform before the train continues.

In the past, people smoked on the trains themselves, especially in the areas between carriages. Since 2014, however, smoking has been banned on all high-speed and regular trains.

Since 2022, the ban has extended to all other passenger trains, waiting halls, and indoor areas of railway stations.

Outdoor platforms remain the last tolerated place to smoke before a long journey or during a short stop.

But for many non-smokers, this practice is bothersome, as the lingering smell leaves them no smoke-free area to wait for boarding.

Lately, anti-smoking influencers have gained traction in China, posting videos of themselves confronting smokers in public. Applauded by some and criticized by others, this trend has further fueled the platform-smoking debate.

As part of this anti-smoking movement, more people are calling out the lack of enforcement of smoking bans in public areas.

Still, opinions remain divided. Many netizens dislike smoke on train platforms, but argue it would be difficult to enforce a ban outdoors. If platforms are banned, they say, then pedestrian streets, shopping districts, and other outdoor public spaces should be too.

In the end, though opinions vary, most people agree on one thing: the smell of noodles on a train can sometimes be unpleasant, but it’s nothing compared to the smell of cigarette smoke. For now, the majority of Chinese netizens seem to favor a smoking ban on train platforms over a “de-noodling” of the trains.

“The only thing I dislike about the smell of noodles is that it makes me regret not buying some myself,” one commenter wrote.

Another worried Xiaohongshu user wrote: “A train ride without the noodles is only half as fun!”

For now, passengers don’t need to worry about losing their much-beloved train noodles just yet. Whether or not station shops sell instant noodles, travelers can still bring their own as long as official regulations still allow it (and they do).

If you really want to play it safe: bring your own noodles but eat them in the train’s dining carriage, which also allows people to eat self-brought food.

And for those who want a quick smoke on the platform—it’s also still possible, though perhaps not for long.

By Manya Koetse

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