Table Manners in Japan - Japanese Culture

Table Manners

Starting the Meal

Meals in Japan traditionally begin with the phrase, "Itadakimasu," (literally, "I
receive") and end with the phrase, "Gochisosamadeshita," (literally "It was a
feast.").

It is considered polite to clear one's plate; children are especially encouraged to
do so. It is impolite to pick out certain ingredients and leave the rest. One should
chew with the mouth closed.

Hashi

Hashi (箸) Chopsticks, a pair of small even-length tapered sticks, are the
traditional eating utensils. Hashi are so important when eating in Japan that
another etiquette guide is needed.

Table Manners

* Blowing your nose in public, and especially at the table, is considered bad
manner.
* It is considered good manner to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice. #
Unlike in some other parts of East Asia, it is considered bad manner to burp.
* After finishing eating, try to place all your dishes in the same way as they were
at the start of the meal. This includes replacing the lid of dishes which came with
a lid and replacing your chopsticks on the chopstick holder or into their paper
slip, if applicable.

Rice

Do take the rice bowl into one hand and the chopsticks into the
other and lift it towards your mouth while eating.

Do not pour soya sauce over white, cooked rice.

Sushi

Pour some soya sauce into a the small plate provided. It is
considered bad manner to waste soya sauce, so try not to pour
more sauce into your plate than you are actually going to be
using.

In general, you are supposed to eat a sushi piece in one bite.
Attempts to separate a piece into two, most often end in the
destruction of the beautifully prepared sushi. Hands or
chopsticks can be used to eat sushi.

Sashimi

Pour some soya sauce into a small plate provided. Put some
wasabi on the sashimi piece, but do not use too much wasabi
as this would overpower the taste of the raw fish and possibly
offend the chef. Use the sauce for dipping the sashimi pieces.
Some types of sashimi are enjoyed with ground ginger rather
than wasabi.

Miso Soup

Drink the soup out of the bowl as if it were a cup, and fish out
the solid food pieces with your chopsticks.

Noodles

Lead the noodles with your chopsticks step by step into your
mouth, while sucking them in with a controlled slurping sound.
Try to copy the slurping sound of people around you.

In case of noodle soups, keep the distance between the bowl
and your mouth small in order to avoid splashing. If a ceramic
spoon is provided, use it to drink the soup, otherwise, lift the
bowl to your mouth in order to drink the soup.

Curry Rice

Often when eating a spoon will be provided but it is not
uncommon to be seen ate with hashi.

Large Items

Separate the piece with your chopsticks (this takes some
exercise), or just bite off a piece and put the rest back onto
your plate.