(part 3) Ordering At A Japanese Sushi Bar Guide: Tips, Manners, And Etiquette

Soya Sauce Tips

• When eating Nigiri do not dunk the rice side into the soya sauce.
• It’s okay to mix wasabi with soy sauce

Chopsticks Etiquette

• Do not brush your chopsticks together since it may be insulting by showing chopsticks are of low quality.
• Don’t poke or stab food.
• Don’t point at people with chopsticks especially the chef.
• When sharing sushi, use back of chopsticks and transfer the Sushi onto your plate. Then you can eat it.
• Don’t lick chopsticks or move dishes with them.
• Don’t use it to hit glass or plates.
• Always place parallel of plate when not in use.
• Don’t pass food from set of chopsticks to another.

Other Tips

• It’s okay to use hands to eat sushi –use thumb, index and middle finger. 
• Eat Nigiri in one bite if all possible. When eating big pieces like Futomaki, it’s okay to take bites but cover your mouth.
• Cover your mouth if you are eating something chewy like octopus.
• Use chopsticks to eat Sashimi.(Know the difference from Sushi)
• Miso soup - sip from bowl, use chopsticks to move tofu and seaweed into your mouth
• Use Ginger (Gari) to cleanse your taste pallets between each types of sushi
• If you are with somebody and ordering drinks, pour for each other as it is customary.
• If you happen to be at the Sushi bar late in the evening, you may offer the Sushi Chef a drink of sake or a beer as a token of gratitude.  Place an order of Sake from the server, request two glasses and pour it for the chef.  Remember do it ONLY AT LATE NIGHT just before close.

Manners

• Don’t rest elbows on table when eating.
• Don’t be shy if you can’t use chopsticks ask for cutlery.
• Don’t leave food on your plate.  Try your best to finish everything if possible, since it is considered rude.

Finishing Up

Place your chopsticks across your soy sauce saucer plate parallel to the edge of the sushi bar. Don’t leave it on the sushi bar or serving plate.

Ask server for bill and not the Sushi Chef.  Tipping is not necessary in Japan.  (My bill please | Okanjo onegai shimasu)

Click -> (Part 1) Ordering at a Japanese Sushi Bar Guide: Stepping Inside & Ordering

Click -> (Part 2) Ordering at a Japanese Sushi Bar Guide: Food List & Japanese Words

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