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In Japan the main utensil used for eating is chopsticks, and there are certain rules for using chopsticks and eating in general. Although there are exceptions to this when it comes to eating western food in Japan. There many "do's and don't's" in Japanese eating etiquette for example; you should never stab your chopsticks strait down into a bowl of rice. This action is seen as rude because you would usually do this for the dead and could bring bad luck. Here are 10 do's and don't's of Japanese eating etiquette.
DO!
DO!
Before the start of every meal it is customary put your hands together and say"Itadakimasu!" (e-tada-key-ma-su) meaning " Let's dig in!". At the end of every meal you say "Gochisousama deshita!" ( go-chi-so-sama- de-shi-ta) meaning "Thank you for the food!". It's to forget to say these phrases sometimes but it always good to remember.
When entering a restaurant often times you will be offered a warm wet towel to wipe your hands, this is only for your hand's not your face or neck. After you are done with the towel fold it up and put it to the side.
It's ok to lift your bowls up to eat out them as long as it is your own bowl and it is smaller than your hand. For instance your rice bowl, Soup bowls, small deep bowls with liquids, small plate of soy sauce for sashimi or sushi, and donburi bowls (with rice or noodles such as ramen or udon).
When you are done with your meal place your chop sticks parallel to each other on the side of the bowl with the end facing away from you.
It's ok to take from shared dishes, but use the supplied utensils to do so. Some people turn their chopsticks around so the thick side (the side that hasn’t been touching your lips) is used to take from a shared plate.
It's ok to slurp your ramen! You don't have to be worried about the sound you make while eating ramen or and noodle dish. It is actually encouraged to slurp as it will give the improve the flavor of the dish.
DON'T!
DON'T!
Never pass food from chopstick to chopstick. This is a ritual practice for passing the bones of the dead at funerals.
As westerners we often talk with our hands to express ourselves. Never talk or point with your chopsticks, make sure you put your chopsticks down before you speak.
Just like you wouldn't stab your bowl of rice you wouldn't want to stab any other food item to eat it. Chopsticks are not skewers they are meant to be used together.
Although the food you are eating is delicious there is no need to suck on your chopsticks. It's very rude and childish.
Lastly when moving a dish closer to you do not use your chopsticks to do so. Place your chopsticks down and use your free hand to move the bowl.
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