Ladylike Laws: Sushi Etiquette
Many cuisines come with customs and standards all their own. Let's be real here, American etiquette will only get you so far... A perfect example of this is with sushi. While I am sure many of you regularly enjoy in this Japanese cuisine, you might be surprised to learn what is considered to proper and what is thought to be impolite. And so, to keep you ladies lovely no matter where you dine, here is a quick crash course in Japanese dining:
Do...
- Feel free to alternate between chopsticks and fingers. Believe it or not, both are completely acceptable!
- Dip the fish into the soy sauce (not the rice side).
- Eat each piece of sushi in one mouthful. And please–chew with your mouth closed, of course.
- Signal to your waiter that you're finished eating by resting your chopsticks across your soy sauce dish.
- Use the blunt, wide end of your chopsticks when serving yourself from a shared plate. (Who knew?!)
Don't...
- Rub your chopsticks together to sand down any splinters. It implies that the chopsticks are of low quality and is considered rude.
- Dip the rice side of your sushi into the soy sauce (remember, just the fish).
- Use the pickled ginger as a garnish for your sushi; it is meant to clear your palate in between bites! And I hear it's good for digestion... Hint, hint for my Bikini Boot Campers.
- Dump wasabi into your soy sauce; wasabi should be put directly on your sushi.
- Bite your sushi in half and put it back on the plate.
- Give the sushi chef a tip. Traditionally sushi chefs never handle money directly (and thank goodness because money is dirty).
And there you have it–now you'll be the best-behaved sushi savant in the entire restaurant! For more tips on restaurant dining, check out my post about restaurant etiquette.
As Ron Burgundy would say, "stay classy" LC readers :-)
Is there a situation that has you would like to learn the proper protocol for? Tell me in the comments below and I just might answer it in my next Ladylike Laws post.
XO Lauren
P.S. If you love sushi as much as I do, be sure to check out my blog about my favorite sushi spots in Los Angeles.
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48 comments
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Cut Roll: chopsticks, but you can use fingers
Hand Roll: Obviously named for a reason
Nigiri (fish on rice): Use your fingers, dip fish not rice, it'll keep together
Sashimi: Never use your fingers
Also, only pour a little bit of soy sauce, you can always add more (Typically less than halfway is good). A Japanese person would be embarrassed to pour so much soy sauce. Open your chopsticks parallel to the table between the table and your body. It should look like it's aligned with the table's edge and the sticks are on top of each other. Use this always for upscale japanese dining, but it's not as bad as a much more casual place.
Think of it this way....they will probably assume you will do everything wrong anyways, so be the person that impressed them that day. Maybe they'll remember you next time you come in. -
I eat sushi basically all the time! Lol..These were great tips! Sometimes it's crazy to think how different our rules of etiquette are within each culture. For instance, did you know people in Nepal consider it rude to share off of someone else's plate?
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You also shouldn't leave your chopsticks stuck in the rice when you're not using them. This is something that's done at funerals.
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You should add: don't eat sushi on a first date. My friend and I always joke about that because I'm such a messy sushi eater. It's true though! It's awkward sitting their with someone as you're chewing your piece of sushi.
And yes, I rub my chopsticks together (depending on which kind they are), but I'm Japanese. I think I'm allowed to do it. Plus all my other (Asian) friends do it. -
As a girl of half Indian descent (actually from India) I find some people struggle a lot with how to eat Indian food and what to order if they want to play it safe or try something new without embarrassing themselves (ex/Along Came Polly). Fork & knife or use my hands? There are quite a few rules (like what to eat with rice and what goes with naan). Also it would be great to see an article on buffet manners, just because it's all you can eat doesn't mean you should stuff your face to get your money's worth. Love these articles & the boot camp!! Helping me and my mom maintain the healthy lifestyle thy makes us feel good! xoxx -
my japanese friend always dumps wasabi into her soy sauce. SHe must be so rude haha
xo Emilie
PS please visit my blog @ http://www.hungrydelights.com/ -
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So delicious. Just had some for dinner.
Love from South Africa
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You should do a Ladylike Law of what to do when you are meeting a boyfriend's parents for the first time. My first "real" college boyfriend lives out of state and I will be visiting him and will have to meet his family for the first time and will be staying in their house for a week
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I agree with the above post! you should do an etiquette post on meeting a boyfriends family.
and what to wear-- like if casual dinner at his house, or dinner at a restaurant!
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I'm sorry but some places do have low quality chopsticks and I HAVE to rub them together to get the splinters off. If you ever had a splinter in your lip, you would do the same! lol. NOT fun.
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Rubbing the chopsticks is still considered disrespectful, so you should just ask for another set politely. Or use your fingers (for cut roll/hand roll/nigiri, NOT sashimi)
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like i said, some places have chopsticks that always splinter. I'd be politely asking for a new set with each one i opened. ;)
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Oh this will come in handy when me and my best friend get sushi every month. We are completely obsessed with Sushi&Starbucks(:
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Thats really how a lady shoulkd eat sushi :) But what with us male ones? :) XOXO
http://www.look-scout.blogspot.com
http://www.look-scout.blogspot.com
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I don't ever touch the ginger, no way! lol I hate how it tastes! My favorite is Sushi w/spicy mayo!
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