Guides · 4 min read
What are the etiquette rules for Japanese dining?
Japanese dining has conventions, not commandments. Knowing a few makes the meal smoother; ignoring them will not get you thrown out.
Soy sauce and wasabi
Pour a small amount of soy sauce and dip the fish, not the rice. Good nigiri already contains the wasabi the chef thinks it needs - adding more is a judgement on their seasoning.
Ginger is a palate cleanser
Pickled ginger sits between pieces, not on top of them. It resets the mouth between different fish.
Chopstick habits to avoid
Do not stand chopsticks upright in rice or pass food chopstick to chopstick - both echo funeral rites. Resting them across the dish is fine.
Omakase means trusting the chef
Ordering omakase hands the menu over. Tell the chef about allergies and dislikes at the start, then let the sequence unfold.
Frequently asked
- Is it acceptable to eat sushi with your hands?
- Yes. Nigiri was designed as finger food and many chefs prefer you eat it that way.
- Should I tip in a Lisbon Japanese restaurant?
- Tipping is not obligatory in Portugal. Rounding up or leaving five to ten percent for good service is common.
Come and taste the answer
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