Japanese manners and etiquette
【食事】 Shoku-JI (Dining)

Every culture has unique dining customs. Knowing correct dining etiquette in every culture shows respect for the host and enriches the experience for all. Here are a few basics to remember when dining Japanese-style...

Handling dishes
Pick up your rice bowl with your left hand (for right-handed people) every time you eat rice. Place the bowl on your four fingers bunched together and support it with your thumb just below the rim. The same applies for holding miso soup bowls.

Generally, rice and miso soup bowls are the only ones you hold, the rest stay on the dining table. As you use your chopsticks, a closely-held rice bowl also provides a helpful "catch" for any food that doesn't find its way to your mouth. Japanese soups, such as miso soup, are generally drunk as from a cup without using a spoon. Solid food in the soup is fished out with chopsticks. The same rule applies for soup noodle dishes when served without a spoon.

Using chopsticks
Japanese table manners cannot be mastered without learning to use chopsticks. It takes practice, but it's worth the effort:
- Hold the upper chopstick with your thumb, index finger and middle finger;
- Rest the other chopstick on the root of your thumb and the tip of the ring finger;
- Position your chopsticks slightly toward the end rather than the middle;
- To pick up food, only move the upper chopstick.

When you are done using chopsticks, place them on the chopstick rest in front of you. If you don't see a rest, make one by using the paper sleeve that comes with disposable chopsticks. Avoid placing chopsticks on the table or eating tray, as this is considered bad manners.

There is also etiquette you should observe when using chopsticks. Avoid:
- Biting or licking chopsticks;
- Holding chopsticks in your mouth, without the use of your hand;
- Using chopsticks as toothpicks;
- Using chopsticks to drag plates or bowls toward you;
- Pointing at someone with chopsticks;
- Using chopsticks to dive into and explore the contents of dishes.

Definitely avoid these chopstick gaffes as they are bad omens:
- Stabbing your food;
- Passing food from chopsticks to chopsticks (reminiscent of the "passing the bone" ritual among mourners of the dead).

How to eat noodles and sushi
Special rules apply for certain dishes. Understanding these rules is important for typical foods like noodles and sushi.

Noodle etiquette:
- Suck noodles into your mouth, guiding them with your chopsticks. When successful, you make a controlled slurping sound (bearing in mind slurping is allowed in Japan);
- Keep the distance between your mouth and the bowl small to avoid unnecessary splashing.

Sushi etiquette:
- Pour soy sauce into the small plate provided for that purpose;
- Dip your sushi into the soy sauce upside-down;
- Eat the sushi in one bite;
- Use either your hands or chopsticks to eat sushi (if you're a novice with chopsticks, use your hands!).

These basic rules are enough to start you off and leave a good impression on the Japanese at the table. Making an effort to be polite and respectful can also save you from any unintended blunders!