Food In Japan - What To Know & Eat In Japan (2024)

The Japanese eat three meals a day, and they have some meal conventions that are similar to Western practices.

· Breakfast

At many Japanese hotels, breakfast is a sizeable affair, with a focus on savory dishes, soup and (of course!) pickles. Don’t be surprised if coffee shops cater to European or Western tourists and only serve coffee and small bites for breakfast.

· Sitting

Japanese dining establishments are increasingly offering Western-style experiences (with chairs rather than floor seating, cutlery and the like). There are, however, many traditional dining experiences still present in Japan. In these situations, patrons eat at low dining tables and sit on cushions placed on tatami (straw matting). In formal situations, both men and women sit seiza-style (kneel), while in casual situations, men sit cross-legged, and women sit with both legs to one side.

· Honor

The most important person at each meal sits at the kamiza (seat of honor). The kamiza is placed farthest from the entrance to the room where the meal is held. If there’s a tokonoma (a built-in recessed space), guests sit in front of it. The host sits at the middle of the table on one side.

· Towels

In restaurants and bars, an oshibori (hot steamed towel) is provided in order to clean your hands. Never wipe your face with this towel. At home, people are expected to wash their hands before the meal starts.

· Gratitude

A meal begins once the main guest, family member or server makes a gesture to start eating. This gesture usually involves some form of gratitude, such as the term “itadakimasu” (“I gratefully receive”). When finishing the meal, a common saying is “Gochisosama desh*ta” (“Thank you for the meal”).

· Chopsticks

Many Japanese traditions concerning table manners surround the use of chopsticks. Not only should they be held correctly, but one must never leave chopsticks standing vertically in a bowl of food. (This resembles an offering made at funerals.) When not in use, place your chopsticks on a hashioki (chopstick stand). It’s also not polite to talk while holding your chopsticks, so put them down if you’re having a chat.

Refrain from eating directly from a communal dish, and try not to hover with the chopsticks over these communal dishes when deciding what to eat next.

Never point your chopsticks when talking, and never use them to pass food to someone else’s chopsticks.

· Handling Food and Dishes

When eating from small bowls, simply pick up the bowl with your hand and lead it to your mouth. Never cup your hand to catch falling food; this is considered bad manners.

Ideally, food should always be eaten in one bite, so try not to bite food into smaller bits. This includes sushi, sashimi and sushi rolls. You should also refrain from raising your food above your mouth.

· Drinking

You shouldn’t start drinking until everybody at the table has a beverage and the glasses are raised. (Kampai is the Japanese drinking salute.) When holding glasses, women should put their hands underneath them. Men should also do this as a sign of respect when talking to people superior to them.

When drinking alcoholic beverages, it’s customary to serve others rather than to pour your own drink.

· Soup

Japanese soups contain lots of ingredients, so spoons are rarely used. Instead, try to eat your soup using chopsticks. Don’t be afraid to slurp! Most Japanese believe inhaling air when eating noodles enhances the taste.

When consuming miso soup, drink the soup directly from the bowl, and then fish out the solid bits using chopsticks.

· Soy Sauce

Pour the necessary amount of soy sauce into the shallow, empty bowl provided. Try not to pour too much, though. This is seen as disrespectful to the ingredient and wasteful.

· Wasabi

When eating sushi, don’t mix the entire lump of wasabi into your soy sauce bowl. This can be an insult to the chef because wasabi is said to restrict the taste of the sushi. A small amount of wasabi added to the sushi or mixed into the soy sauce is acceptable.

· Tea Ceremonies

Tea ceremonies require strict adherence to rules designed to promote tranquility. Remove your shoes upon entering, and greet guests with a slight bow. Don’t talk or shake hands. Instead, be seated silently.

· Ending the Meal

When you’ve finished your meal, return the table to how it looked in the beginning. Put your chopsticks back on the chopstick rest or in the paper holder. Put any lids back on dishes.

· Paying the Bill

Generally speaking, the person who invited everyone pays for the meal.