Table Manners and Chopsticks Way in Japan

I want to enjoy delicious Japanese food! However, if you are concerned about whether your table manners are correct or not, you won’t be able to enjoy even the most valuable dishes. Let’s prepare table manners in advance and enjoy Japanese food to our heart’s content.

Entering the restaurant and having a seat

When you arrive at the restaurant and open the door, the staff will greet you by saying “irasshaimase,” which means “welcome.” If you or someone else has booked your seat, you can ask them, “XX no namae de yoyaku shite imasu,” which means “I have a reservation under the name of XX.”

If you haven’t booked a restaurant, you can ask the staff, “Seki wa arimasu ka?” which means “Is there a seat available?”

If the tables are on the Tatami floor or there are shoe boxes, you need to take off your shoes.

How to order

After the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants implemented digital devices for ordering. If a restaurant has this device, you can easily choose English and place your order without any concerns. However, if a restaurant doesn’t have a digital device, you will need to raise your hand to get the attention of the staff and be acknowledged.

Additionally, if you visit the restaurant with your Japanese coworkers, they usually prefer to share the dishes. Therefore, when placing your order, it is important to consider the portion size of the dishes and also take into account what they would like to eat.

If you are worried about your language skills, please refer to the post below, too.

Japanese Basic Words 100

Drinking alcohol

If you go to a restaurant with your Japanese friends, they might prefer to wait until everyone is gathered before starting to drink alcohol. This is especially true for company gatherings, as they prefer to wait for their coworkers to arrive.

Small plates for sharing and source

Japanese restaurants and izakaya provide a lot of small plates. Japanese people want to share their dishes, so take your potion from the dish and put it on a small plate.If you take a lot at once, it can be awkward when the dish runs out soon, so it’s better to divide it up little by little.

Also, if they order sashimi, you can use the smallest plate for soy sauce. Soy sauce has a strong flavor, so you should pour a small amount of soy sauce first. Don’t pour the soy sauce until the plate is full, as it might be awkward for Japanese people.

When you eat

When you eat from a small plate, it is customary to bring the plate closer to your mouth. While in some countries people do not move their plates, in Japan, bringing the plate up is the appropriate way.

Bad chopsticks manners

When eating Japanese cuisine, it is common to use chopsticks. However, even if you are skilled in using chopsticks, there are several bad manners that even some Japanese people may not be aware of. Let’s explore these bad manners related to the use of chopsticks.

Mayoi bashi 迷い箸

When you can’t decide which cuisine you want to eat and you move your chopsticks over several dishes, it is called “Mayoi bashi,” which means “the chopsticks got lost.”

Nebula bashi ねぶり箸

This refers to the act of licking food off the chopsticks. It is considered impolite and unhygienic.

Sashi bashi 刺し箸

When it comes to food, it is considered impolite to stab chopsticks into it from above.

Nigiri bashi 握り箸

Using chopsticks without holding them properly, but instead gripping them with one hand.

Saguri bashi 探り箸

In this way of eating, you stick your chopsticks into the dish and scoop up only the things you want.

Yose bashi 寄せ箸

Placing chopsticks on a plate and pulling the plate towards oneself.

Utsuri bashi 移り箸

Originally, it is considered polite to alternate between eating side dishes and rice. However, it is impolite to only eat side dishes continuously or to pick up your chopsticks and not eat.

Chigiri bashi ちぎり箸

It is about holding chopsticks, one at a time, with both hands.

Kaki bashi かき箸

This is the act of eating by scooping food directly from the plate without using chopsticks properly.

Yoko bashi よこ箸

The act of scooping things from a plate with chopsticks together and using them as spoons

Namida bashi なみだ箸

After eating liquid-type food, it is common to drop droplets from chopsticks.

Tataki bashi たたき箸

Using chopsticks to tap on a plate like a musical instrument.

Sukashi bashi すかし箸

When eating fish, it is said to pick at the flesh of the fish through the bones.

In conclusion, understanding and practising proper table manners and chopstick etiquette can greatly enhance your dining experience when enjoying Japanese cuisine. By familiarizing yourself with these customs, such as removing your shoes when necessary, ordering considerately, and using chopsticks correctly, you can fully immerse yourself in the culinary traditions of Japan. Remember to be mindful of your actions and show respect for the food, the restaurant staff, and your dining companions. So, go ahead and savor the delicious flavors of Japan while embracing the cultural etiquette that accompanies it.