Sushi Etiquette

• Place chopsticks properly. If at a sushi bar, place the chopsticks in front of you, parallel to the edge of the bar, with the narrow ends on the has-hi oki (chopstick rest). While it is not as polite to place them on the plate, if you do, place your chopsticks across your plate, not leaning on your plate. 

• Use the broad end of your chopsticks to pick up sushi from a communal platter.

• Don't pass food from one set of chopsticks to another. As part of a Japanese funeral ritual, family members pass bones of the deceased to each other by chopsticks. Passing food from one set of chopsticks to another mimics this ritual, and is therefore considered extremely impolite and offensive. If you must pass something to another person, pick it up, and place it on their dish. They can then pick it up with their own chopsticks. 

• Know the difference between types of sushi. 
  

           nigiri - pieces of fish, shellfish, or fish roe over rice balls

           makizushi - rolled in seaweed, sometimes just called "maki"

           temaki - hand rolls

           sashimi - sliced/chilled raw fish without rice

           chirashi sushi - sliced/chilled raw fish served like sashimi but over

           a bed of rice

• Always place your "nigiri-sushi" upside-down in the soy sauce and eat it "rice-side up." Don't pinch it too hard, and place it so the fish touches your tongue. (The soy sauce will cause the rice to fall apart.) 

• Sushi should be eaten in one bite if possible, but two bites is generally acceptable. However, don't put the sushi back on the plate if you bit it in half already. Once you pick it up, eat all of it. 

• Feel free to use your fingers as utensils. Wipe your hands on a damp towel, if they provide you with one. But generally, use your fingers for sushi, and use chopsticks for sashimi. 

• Clean off your plate. It is impolite to leave a grain of rice on your plate. 

• Ask the chef what's good, and let him pick for you, especially if it's your first time eating sushi. This shows your respect for what he does, and maybe you'll get a good snack. If you're in Japan, buy the chef a drink, like sake or beer, as a compliment. 

• Learn a few polite Japanese words and phrases, like:

Arigato gozaimasu (ah-ree-gah-toh go-zah-ee-mahs su) which means thank you very much.

 

Before eating, say "Itadakimasu!" (ee-tah-dah-kee-mahss) and when you're done, say 'Gochisousama deshita!" (Goch-sou-sah-mah-desh-tah). This is what Japanese say before and after they eat.

 

When asking for a waiter/waitress say "Sumimasen" (su-mee-mah-sen). This is the equivalent of saying "excuse me".

Note on pronunciation: in Japanese, all syllables receive equal stress

 

Note that if you are outside Japan, the employees at the restaurant may not speak a word of Japanese; use these phrases when you know they'll be understood.

• If you order a "teishoku" or set item which includes soup, ask to have the soup served with the sushi as an accompaniment, rather than before the sushi as an appetizer.

• Tea does go well with sushi. 

• Avoid the blowfish unless at a three star or higher restaurant. 

Tips

• If there is tea available, drink it with one hand holding it, and the other hand supporting it from underneath, using two hands to hold the cup.

• If there is sake for drinking, it is boorish to pour sake for yourself. Pour some into cups for others, and let your companions pour sake for you.

• The purpose of the soy sauce is to flavor the fish, not the rice. Never pour soy sauce directly on rice!

• The Japanese words and phrases are optional; not every employee in a sushi shop will speak or understand Japanese.

 

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