I personally believe that we have a responsibility when we enjoy foods
of other cultures or in other countries that we take the time to observe
the traditional rules and etiquette that should be observed
andassociated with that cuisine. It's a serious affront to that culture
if we are willing to eat their food but not observe the correct.
Japanese culture is very much based on tradition and ritualistic rules that extend to nearly every aspect of day-to-day life, including food consumption, and especially sushi. If we are to properly enjoy Japanese sushi, it's very important to follow the appropriate rules associated with sushi consumption. This is an easy cheat-sheet list of things to remember when you have to eat sushi in a traditional or nice sushi restaurant.
Japanese culture is very much based on tradition and ritualistic rules that extend to nearly every aspect of day-to-day life, including food consumption, and especially sushi. If we are to properly enjoy Japanese sushi, it's very important to follow the appropriate rules associated with sushi consumption. This is an easy cheat-sheet list of things to remember when you have to eat sushi in a traditional or nice sushi restaurant.
When Ordering
The itamae (sushi chef) should only be asked for sushi or sashimi. Drinks or sides should be ordered from the waitress. It's highly insulting to ask the specialized sushi chef for anything besides fish.
Never ask the sushi chef "is it fresh?" All fish in a good sushi bar should be fresh and to suggest that any of it is otherwise is insulting. Instead, ask for his recommendation or suggestion.
It is impolite to leave food behind on your plate, so take care to order within your hunger level and personal tastes. If you don't think you'll be able to finish something, don't order it.
It's ok to ask for an item you don't see on the menu, because there may be seasonal items or special items not listed on the menu. The itamae will be happy to prepare it for you if he has it.
When Eating
It's an insult to the establishment to place your wasabi directly into your soy sauce. In Japan, soy sauces are like fine wines, with rare sauces and special ingredients. Mixing them together is seen to be an insult to the soy sauce, as well as an insult to the itamae, who will prepare the sushi with what he feels is the proper fish-wasabi balance.
Nigirizushi (the strip of fish over rice) and makizushi (the rolls) can be eaten with your hands or with chopsticks and should be eaten in one bite. Sashimi (the strips of raw fish) should only be eaten with chopsticks.
When not in use, chopsticks should be placed in the chopstick holder or on the dish, parallel to you.
If you feel inclined to try food from someone else's plate, you should pick up the food with the side of the chopsticks that your hands have been on (i.e. haven't touched your mouth).
Never pass food to someone with your chopsticks (too similar to a certain Japanese funeral ceremony). Pass your plate.
Never stick your chopsticks into your rice and they them sticking up (again, too similar to a certain Japanese burial ceremony).
Offering a beer or sake to the itamae is considered polite, but not required. If you frequent the restaurant again, however, he's probably going to remember you.
If you are not given a spoon for your soup, you are expected to lift and drink out of it, using chopsticks to position food in your mouth. A little bit of slurping is actually ok.
Sake is to be consumed before or after the meal, but not during. Green tea is considered a good compliment to sushi during the meal.
When Leaving
If you sat at the bar, you need to tip the itamae and the waitress separately. The itamae will probably have a tip jar. If you are in Japan, you do not need to tip (included in the bill).
It's considered rather polite and proper to thank the itamae yourself if you were seated at the bar with 'domo arigato' (thank you) or 'gochisosama deshita' (thank you for the meal)
Just remember these rules the next time you're at a sushi bar, be it in the US, Europe, or Japan, and you should be ok. Just remember, if you're going to enjoy the cuisine, it's time to start observing the culture. Good luck and enjoy!
The itamae (sushi chef) should only be asked for sushi or sashimi. Drinks or sides should be ordered from the waitress. It's highly insulting to ask the specialized sushi chef for anything besides fish.
Never ask the sushi chef "is it fresh?" All fish in a good sushi bar should be fresh and to suggest that any of it is otherwise is insulting. Instead, ask for his recommendation or suggestion.
It is impolite to leave food behind on your plate, so take care to order within your hunger level and personal tastes. If you don't think you'll be able to finish something, don't order it.
It's ok to ask for an item you don't see on the menu, because there may be seasonal items or special items not listed on the menu. The itamae will be happy to prepare it for you if he has it.
When Eating
It's an insult to the establishment to place your wasabi directly into your soy sauce. In Japan, soy sauces are like fine wines, with rare sauces and special ingredients. Mixing them together is seen to be an insult to the soy sauce, as well as an insult to the itamae, who will prepare the sushi with what he feels is the proper fish-wasabi balance.
Nigirizushi (the strip of fish over rice) and makizushi (the rolls) can be eaten with your hands or with chopsticks and should be eaten in one bite. Sashimi (the strips of raw fish) should only be eaten with chopsticks.
When not in use, chopsticks should be placed in the chopstick holder or on the dish, parallel to you.
If you feel inclined to try food from someone else's plate, you should pick up the food with the side of the chopsticks that your hands have been on (i.e. haven't touched your mouth).
Never pass food to someone with your chopsticks (too similar to a certain Japanese funeral ceremony). Pass your plate.
Never stick your chopsticks into your rice and they them sticking up (again, too similar to a certain Japanese burial ceremony).
Offering a beer or sake to the itamae is considered polite, but not required. If you frequent the restaurant again, however, he's probably going to remember you.
If you are not given a spoon for your soup, you are expected to lift and drink out of it, using chopsticks to position food in your mouth. A little bit of slurping is actually ok.
Sake is to be consumed before or after the meal, but not during. Green tea is considered a good compliment to sushi during the meal.
When Leaving
If you sat at the bar, you need to tip the itamae and the waitress separately. The itamae will probably have a tip jar. If you are in Japan, you do not need to tip (included in the bill).
It's considered rather polite and proper to thank the itamae yourself if you were seated at the bar with 'domo arigato' (thank you) or 'gochisosama deshita' (thank you for the meal)
Just remember these rules the next time you're at a sushi bar, be it in the US, Europe, or Japan, and you should be ok. Just remember, if you're going to enjoy the cuisine, it's time to start observing the culture. Good luck and enjoy!
