This blog provides a detailed guide on the proper etiquette for eating sushi—such as how to use chopsticks, whether to use hands, how to dip in soy sauce, and how to enjoy ginger and wasabi. Educating readers on the dos and don’ts of sushi dining makes it fun and informative for those interested in traditional Japanese culture.
Using Chopsticks: When eating sashimi, always use chopsticks. However, it's perfectly acceptable to eat nigiri with hands. This allows for better control and prevents the delicate rice from falling apart.
Dipping in Soy Sauce: Only dip the fish side of nigiri into soy sauce. Dipping the rice side can cause it to absorb too much soy sauce and fall apart. This practice also ensures that the balance of flavors, as intended by the sushi chef, remains intact.
Wasabi Etiquette: In traditional sushi etiquette, wasabi should be placed directly on the fish, not mixed into soy sauce. Mixing wasabi into soy sauce is often seen as disrespectful to the chef’s careful seasoning of the sushi.
Pickled Ginger (Gari): Gari is meant to be eaten between different pieces of sushi to cleanse the palate. It helps to reset taste buds so the flavors of the next piece of sushi can be fully appreciated.
Respect for the Itamae (Sushi Chef): Show respect to the itamae by not overordering or wasting food. In Japan, it’s customary to thank the chef by saying "gochisousama deshita" after a meal, which means "thank you for the meal." This simple gesture goes a long way in showing appreciation for the craftsmanship involved in sushi preparation.