The article addresses the debate surrounding the appropriateness of consuming pork buns (豚まん) on Shinkansen (bullet trains), diving specifically into the opinion held by the renowned Chinese restaurant chain, 'Hourai.' There's an ongoing debate about whether it's okay to eat certain foods in the confined space of the train carriage due to their smells. The article explores Hourai's view on this train travel etiquette in Japan, which is strongly rooted in cultural norms and societal expectations of respecting shared public spaces.

In Japan, being considerate of others in shared public spaces is highly valued. This includes minimizing disturbances such as strong food odors in confined areas like train carriages. Restaurants that produce these sorts of treasured but occasionally controversial foods can face scrutiny. Businesses like Hourai are thus involved in these debates, balancing the need to promote their products, satisfy their customers, and respect societal norms.

In contrast, in the US or EU, eating etiquette in public transportation is more relaxed, with few restrictions on what kind of food can be consumed. However, escalating discussion on 'train etiquette' in these regions shows a growing awareness of the issue.