What Should I Drink After Eating Noodles for Better Digestion?

December 15, 2025 •

4 min read

Over half of the world's population consumes noodles on a regular basis, from instant ramen to fresh udon, but what you drink afterward can make a huge difference to how you feel. Choosing the right beverage after eating noodles can help aid digestion, reduce bloating, and complement the flavors of your meal.

Quick Summary

Learn which beverages are best for aiding digestion and complementing the flavors of noodle dishes. Explore options like mint and ginger tea, fruit-infused water, and various types of sake, explaining how each can help alleviate post-meal discomfort.

Key Points

Ginger Tea: Drink this warm, spicy tea to soothe stomach muscles and reduce bloating after a meal.
Peppermint Tea: Known for its ability to relieve gas, peppermint tea is a refreshing and calming digestive aid.
Lemon or Mint Water: A simple and hydrating option, infused water can aid digestion and cut through the richness of oily noodles.
Kombucha: This fermented tea contains beneficial probiotics and enzymes that help improve gut health and break down food.
Sake (Nigori or Genshu): Pair this traditional Japanese rice wine with richer ramen dishes to cut through the broth's heavy, fatty flavor profile.
Borhani (Yogurt Drink): This tangy, traditional yogurt drink is excellent for aiding digestion after very heavy or fatty noodle meals.
Avoid Sugary Soda: Carbonated drinks can increase bloating and gas, exacerbating discomfort after a noodle meal.

Understanding the Impact of Noodles on Digestion

Noodles, especially instant and rich varieties like ramen, can sometimes lead to feelings of heaviness, bloating, or indigestion. This is often due to a combination of factors, including high sodium content, which can cause water retention, and rich, fatty broths that can be challenging for some digestive systems. High-sodium meals can disrupt the body's fluid balance, and fatty foods take longer to break down, putting extra strain on your stomach. Selecting the right beverage can help counteract these effects, providing relief and supporting your digestive process.

The Best Beverages to Drink After Noodles

After a satisfying noodle meal, certain drinks can be particularly beneficial. These options are chosen for their digestive properties, ability to cut through richness, or refreshing qualities that cleanse the palate.

Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are an excellent choice for their soothing and medicinal properties. Many can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Ginger Tea: A classic digestive aid, ginger helps relax the muscles in your stomach and intestines, which can relieve bloating and aid digestion. Its anti-inflammatory properties are also a bonus.
Peppermint Tea: This tea is well-known for soothing an upset stomach and reducing gas. The menthol in peppermint can relax the muscles of the digestive tract, easing discomfort.
Fennel Tea: Made from crushed fennel seeds, this tea can help with digestion by relaxing muscles in the gastrointestinal tract and reducing gas and bloating.
Amla/Gooseberry Drink: Amla is a great source of Vitamin C and antioxidants that help with digestion and keep the body cool, offering a refreshing and healthy option.

Fruit-Infused Waters

For a simple and effective option, fruit-infused water offers hydration and subtle flavor without added sugar.

Lemon and Ginger Water: This simple concoction is both refreshing and digestive-friendly. Lemon's acidity can help with digestion, while ginger's properties soothe the stomach.
Mint and Cucumber Water: A cooling and refreshing combination, this is perfect for balancing out a rich, heavy noodle dish. Mint aids digestion, and cucumber is a natural diuretic.

Fermented Drinks

Fermented beverages contain probiotics, which promote a healthy gut microbiome.

Kombucha: This fermented tea contains probiotics and enzymes that can assist with digestion. Its slightly acidic and fizzy nature helps to cut through the richness of heavy broths.
Borhani: A traditional Bengali yogurt drink, Borhani is sour, salty, and a little spicy, making it a great digestive aid after heavy meals.

Beverage Pairings Based on Noodle Type

Different noodle dishes call for different beverage pairings. A light, clear broth requires a different approach than a heavy, creamy one.

For Fatty Ramen (e.g., Tonkotsu): The rich, creamy pork bone broth pairs well with drinks that cut through its intensity. A chilled sake, particularly a dry genshu or creamy nigori, is an ideal pairing. For non-alcoholic options, a zesty yuzu spritz or a tangy lemon water works wonders.
For Spicy Noodles (e.g., Dan Dan or Spicy Miso): To balance the heat, opt for a creamy dairy or plant-based milk. For a more adventurous pairing, a crisp, slightly sweet Riesling can complement and cool the palate.
For Stir-Fried Noodles: These dishes, often savory and oily, benefit from clean, simple drinks. Black tea, hot or iced, can be an excellent choice to cut through the oiliness. A crisp, light-bodied sake like Emishiki “Sensation” White is also a sophisticated choice.

Comparison of Post-Noodle Beverages


Beverage Type	Best For	Flavor Profile	Key Benefits	Notes
Ginger Tea	Indigestion, bloating	Spicy, aromatic	Soothes stomach muscles, anti-inflammatory	Excellent for immediate relief
Peppermint Tea	Gas, upset stomach	Minty, refreshing	Relaxes digestive muscles	Best for soothing stomach after heavy meal
Lemon Water	Hydration, rich meals	Tart, citrusy	Aids digestion, cuts through richness	Simple, readily available option
Kombucha	Gut health, heavy meals	Fizzy, slightly acidic	Probiotics, enzymes aid digestion	Adds a pleasant tanginess
Sake (Dry/Nigori)	Fatty, rich broths	Subtle, umami, creamy	Refreshes palate, complements flavors	Alcoholic, best for pairing with a specific meal
Borhani (Yogurt)	Very heavy meals, digestion	Sour, salty, spicy	Probiotics, aids digestion, refreshing	Traditional digestive drink

The Wrong Drinks to Have

Just as some drinks are beneficial, others can exacerbate digestive issues after a heavy noodle meal. Sugary sodas and alcoholic drinks can cause problems.

Carbonated Soft Drinks: The added sugar and carbonation can increase bloating and gas, making you feel more uncomfortable after an already filling meal.
Excessive Alcohol: Heavy, rich alcohol can place extra stress on your liver and digestive system, especially after a high-fat or high-sodium meal.
Very Cold Drinks: While a cold drink can feel refreshing, extremely cold liquids can shock the digestive system and slow down the digestive process. A cool or room-temperature beverage is often a better choice.

Conclusion

Choosing what to drink after eating noodles is more than just a matter of taste; it’s about balancing your body and aiding digestion. From the soothing warmth of ginger tea to the probiotic benefits of kombucha, and the palate-cleansing properties of infused water, there are many excellent choices. By opting for a digestive-friendly beverage, you can enhance your meal, prevent discomfort, and feel your best. Experiment with different options to find what works best for your personal preferences and the specific kind of noodle dish you enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, water is an excellent option. Staying hydrated helps your body process the high sodium often found in noodle dishes and aids in overall digestion. Aim for room-temperature or slightly cool water rather than ice-cold.

It is generally not recommended. The sugar and carbonation in soda can increase bloating and gas, which may lead to more discomfort after a filling meal like noodles. Opt for a gentler, more soothing beverage instead.

Ginger tea and peppermint tea are both excellent choices for reducing bloating. Ginger helps relax digestive muscles, while peppermint is known for its ability to reduce gas and soothe the stomach.

Some spicy noodle dishes can be complemented by milk or a milk-based drink to help cool the heat. However, for heavier noodle dishes, dairy can sometimes cause more digestive issues for those who are lactose intolerant. A fermented yogurt drink like Borhani is a better digestive aid.

Yes, kombucha can be very helpful. It contains beneficial probiotics and enzymes that can assist your gut in breaking down the meal more efficiently, especially after a rich and heavy noodle dish.

For alcoholic options, a glass of sake, especially a creamy nigori or a dry genshu, pairs exceptionally well with rich ramen broths like tonkotsu. Its complex flavors complement the umami-rich broth.

While personal preference is key, hot or room-temperature beverages like herbal teas are often better for digestion than very cold drinks. Extremely cold liquids can slow down the digestive process.