To fully enjoy your dining experience at a SUSHI restaurant in Japan, it’s important to know some basic etiquette. Many foreign tourists may disappoint the chefs and staff by not following these manners.
🍣 No Tardiness
Especially at high-end SUSHI restaurants, you may be asked to confirm your reservation the day before. Check if confirmation is required and follow the restaurant’s instructions. Be sure to arrive on time, ideally 5 minutes early. If you are going to be late, call the restaurant as soon as possible.
🍣 Entering the Restaurant
One of the biggest concerns for chefs and other guests is strong perfume. Japanese cuisine, including sushi, often involves enjoying subtle flavors and aromas. Strong perfumes can interfere with this experience, and in some cases, you might even be refused entry. Be mindful of this.
When you enter the restaurant, give your reservation name and greet the staff.
🍣 Taking Your Seat
SUSHI restaurants typically have counter seating. Sit facing the chef and enjoy your meal. It’s polite to greet the chef with a simple “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu” (よろしくおねがいします). At the counter, you can watch the chef’s impressive skills up close. If you want to take photos, ask for permission first.
High-end SUSHI restaurants often offer an “omakase” course, where the chef selects seasonal ingredients. There’s no need to place specific orders unless you have dietary restrictions or preferences, which you should inform the chef about.
🍣 Enjoying Your SUSHI
It’s perfectly acceptable to eat nigiri SUSHI with your hands. If the SUSHI already has soy sauce brushed on it, eat it immediately. If you need to add soy sauce, dip the fish side (not the rice) lightly into the soy sauce. Avoid soaking the rice in soy sauce.
SUSHI should be eaten in one bite. If a piece is too large, don’t hesitate to ask the chef.
🍣 Ordering Drinks
Sake, champagne, white wine, and beer pair well with SUSHI. Sake, in particular, complements the flavors of Japanese cuisine. Asking the chef for a sake recommendation can enhance your experience. While some foreign tourists prefer to drink cold water, consider trying Japanese tea, which can be served hot or cold.
🍣 Paying the Bill
Depending on the restaurant, you may pay at the register, your table, or the counter. Note that some restaurants do not accept credit cards, so check in advance. After paying, thank the chef with a phrase like “Gochisousama deshita” (ごちそうさまでした) or “Arigatou gozaimashita” (ありがとうございました). Tipping is not customary in Japan, so there’s no need to leave extra money.
Next post, we’ll delve into the different types of SUSHI restaurants in Japan.
