Every culture has its own traditions, rules, and manners, if you have decided to visit Japan you will need to know at least basics about the food culture. Japan is a dream place for many foodies and the etiquette for eating is highly valued. During your trip, you will be able to try as many dishes as your stomach will handle, but before departing to the land of food make sure you learn some basic manners and rules to get the best dining experience possible.
About eating customs
Whether you wish to enjoy a meal in a restaurant or got invited to dine at home you have to make sure you show the most respect for those who are serving your food and with those who you are dining with.
Most restaurants provide host towels or wet tissues before ordering food, make sure to use it only for wiping your hands. For every contact, you receive from the staff or anyone who has provided you with a meal, make sure to always say please and thank you. Japanese consider that every once-living thing whether it is fish or vegetables deserves our gratitude for feeding us.
Chopsticks are the main utensil used at the table, do not stab your food or try to use it as a knife and no matter how much you want to, do not try playing imaginary drums.
Be patient and make sure to apply everything you learn about eating etiquette while on your trip for the most pleasurable experience.
About drinking customs
Same as the dining culture, drinking etiquette has its own customs in Japan. Forget about day drinking, Japanese are used to drink alcohol only in the evening. It is common that the whole table will order the same drink, it will either be a beer or sake. If you do not use alcohol or just simply do not want to notify everyone in advance and choose a drink of your liking. Sharing is caring, especially with beer that comes in a big bottle, share your drink, and make sure you do not pour it yourself instead offer to pour it for everyone else. Do not go overboard with your alcohol consumption, Western and European cultures are famous for their ability to drink, make sure you keep your cool especially in a business or formal dining setting.
Are the manners different from those of other cultures?
You will easily catch on the dos and don’ts when dining and drinking in Japan, you can either politely observe the locals or browse youtube before your trip to Japan. It’s needless to say that the table etiquette is very different from what we are used to in Europe and America for example.
When you are dining at your local restaurant or at home you will not pay too much attention to how you use the chopsticks, how you dip your sushi in the soy sauce, or how loud you sip your soup. In Japan what and how you eat is very important, each tool and ingredient has a meaning and a special way of utilization. In Japan being “fashionably late” is not that common, everything is well thought out and carefully planned even if it comes to small and intimate dinner parties. Japan will surprise you in many positive ways, make sure you listen and apply what you learned.
