One of the highlights of traveling in Japan is undoubtedly the food. Japan offers a wide variety of dining options, from luxurious restaurants providing unique culinary experiences to affordable yet delicious chain eateries.
While dining in your hotel room presents no particular issues, you should be mindful of certain etiquette when eating at restaurants, or especially when dining with Japanese acquaintances or business partners.
Observing proper table manners is important. Violating Japanese dining etiquette—even unintentionally—may draw cold stares or disapproval from those around you.
This article introduces some of the most important and widely observed dining manners in Japan.
- What You Should Never Do With Chopsticks in Japan
- Avoid Passing Food Chopstick-to-Chopstick
- Avoid Making Noise While Eating
- Try Not to Leave Food Behind
- Hold Your Rice and Soup Bowls While Eating
- Use Serving Utensils for Shared Dishes
- Don’t Season Shared Dishes Without Asking
What You Should Never Do With Chopsticks in Japan
Using chopsticks can be tricky if you’re not used to them. While it’s generally understandable for non-Japanese to struggle, there’s one rule that should never be broken: never stick chopsticks vertically into rice or any dish.
This resembles a ritual in Japanese funerals, where rice is offered to the deceased with chopsticks standing upright in a bowl. Because of this strong association with death, doing so at the dining table is considered extremely inappropriate and even offensive. Always lay your chopsticks flat or on a holder when not using them.
Avoid Passing Food Chopstick-to-Chopstick
You might occasionally want to offer food to someone else during a meal. However, never transfer food directly from your chopsticks to another person’s chopsticks.
This also recalls a funeral custom where bones of the deceased are passed from chopsticks to chopsticks before being placed in an urn. Because of its connection to death, this action is a strict taboo. Instead, place the food on the other person’s plate or a shared dish.
Avoid Making Noise While Eating
Thanks to platforms like YouTube, many have seen Japanese people slurping noodles like ramen. This may give the impression that making noise while eating is acceptable in Japan. In fact, only certain noodles like ramen, soba, and udon are exceptions—slurping them is considered culturally appropriate and even enhances the flavor.
For all other foods, however, making noise (such as smacking or chewing loudly) is considered bad manners. Be especially careful not to chew like you would gum, which can be very unpleasant for those around you.
Try Not to Leave Food Behind
When invited to a meal by friends or business partners in Japan, it’s best to finish everything on your plate. Leaving food can imply that the meal wasn’t good or that you’re being wasteful, which is frowned upon.
If you have dietary restrictions or find the food not to your taste, it’s acceptable to leave some, but it’s best to communicate politely—such as mentioning an allergy. If you’re not sure you can finish a meal, consider requesting a smaller portion in advance.
Note: Many all-you-can-eat restaurants in Japan may charge an additional fee if you take more food than you can eat and leave leftovers. Be mindful not to over-serve yourself.
Hold Your Rice and Soup Bowls While Eating
In Japan, it’s customary to lift your rice bowl or soup bowl (such as miso soup) when eating. Leaving bowls on the table and bending over to eat is known as “inu-gui”, or “dog-like eating,” and is considered impolite.
Holding the bowl close helps you eat more gracefully and minimizes spills or noise. Other dishes like side plates can remain on the table, but rice and soup should be lifted in hand as a sign of respect and care.
Use Serving Utensils for Shared Dishes
Japanese meals often include shared dishes served in large platters or pots. When serving yourself from a shared dish, never use your own chopsticks or spoon, as this is considered unhygienic.
Always use the provided serving utensils. If none are available, you can politely mention it to others before using your own chopsticks to take food, so it doesn’t come across as inconsiderate.
Don’t Season Shared Dishes Without Asking
In group meals where dishes are shared, avoid adding your own seasoning to communal food. A common example is squeezing lemon over an entire plate of karaage (fried chicken) without checking if others are okay with it.
While not strictly forbidden, this can bother those who dislike such flavorings. It’s more polite to wait until you’ve served yourself before adding condiments or seasonings to your portion.
Conclusion
Japanese dining etiquette is rooted in the principles of not causing discomfort, avoiding waste, and showing gratitude for the meal. Understanding and respecting these customs allows you to better appreciate Japanese food culture and build positive relationships with those you share a meal with.