Visitors to Japan are often excited about the variety of foods, but many people are a little nervous about eating customs in Japanese restaurants and homes. It helps to know basic table manners before going to Japan.
Say ‘thank you’ before and after meals
The most important rule of table etiquette in Japan is saying traditional phrases before and after a meal. The Japanese traditionally say “Itadakimasu” before a meal and “Gochisousama” after a meal. Itadakimasu means thank you for food in Japanese. Gochisousama is said to signal the end of a meal and express his gratitude to those who cooked and served the food. If you are eating with Japanese, be sure to show respect for their customs by saying these phrases.
Seated
The Japanese eat at low tables seated on floor cushions. Before sitting down, it is customary to remove your shoes. Be careful not to step on others’ cushions.
Using chopsticks
The Japanese use knives, forks, and spoons to eat certain dishes, but chopsticks are still the most widely used utensils. Try holding the top toothpick between your thumb, middle and index fingers as if you were holding a pen. Hold the bottom toothpick between your thumb and ring finger. To collect food, move only the top toothpick.
Chopstick etiquette requires that you do not transfer food directly from your chopsticks to someone else’s chopsticks and vice versa. It is also important not to stick the chopsticks vertically in food, especially in a bowl of rice. It is also not polite to wave chopsticks over food plates or use them to point at someone.
Eat from bowls
When eating rice or soup from small bowls, it is polite to bring the bowl to your mouth, which prevents food from spilling. When you do not get a soup spoon, it is appropriate to take the soup from the bowl and eat the solid food with chopsticks.
Eating noodles
Use chopsticks to scoop the noodles into your mouth. For the noodle soups, you will also use a ceramic spoon or drink directly from the bowl to eat the broth.
It is common in Japan to make thudding noises while eating noodles, such as ramen and soba. People say that food tastes better if they make thumps. However, audible chewing of other foods is considered rude.
Eat sushi and sashimi
Sushi and sashimi can be eaten with your hands or with chopsticks. One piece should be eaten at one time. For larger types of food, it is acceptable to use chopsticks to divide the food into smaller pieces.
Seasonings include soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger. Make sure not to pour in more soy sauce than you will use because it is perceived as waste. For sushi that pairs well with wasabi, the chef will have already added it. If you prefer more wasabi, use only a small amount so as not to offend the sushi chef. Wasabi or ground ginger is added to the sashimi pieces before dipping them in soy sauce.
Drinking alcohol
It is courteous to serve others their drinks, but you should not serve yours. After everyone has a drink, the Japanese raise their glasses and say “kampai”, the equivalent of “cheers.”
As in most cultures, it is recommended not to appear drunk in formal restaurants. However, in less formal restaurants like izakaya, it can be acceptable as long as it doesn’t disturb other customers.
