Sushi, flavourful as it is, has even more cultural practices, some of which are totally apart from just the plate. For a first timer, or if you’re a sushi lover trying to take up your eating skills, learning the basics of sushi etiquette this case, that is chopstick use, could enhance your experience and even respect for the art behind it.
Learning the Basics of Sushi Etiquette
1. Chopstick Basics
Besides that, let us first deal with understanding chopsticks before embarking on sushi etiquette. Don’t worry, if you’re new to using chopsticks, the bottom chopstick will stay still, tucked into the base of your thumb and resting on your ring finger. The top chopstick should, like a pencil, move on the guiding index and middle fingers.
Tip: If you are still in the learning process, many restaurants offer chopstick helpers or are open to hearing your polite request for a fork.
2. Don’t Rub Your Chopsticks Together
While it could seem innocuous, rubbing disposable chopsticks together to get splinters off of them comes across as very rude in a sushi restaurant: unfortunately, it implies that the restaurant had the cheap kind of utensils, something that could be construed as not respecting the establishment.
3. Use the Chopstick Rest
Use it if it offers a chopstick rest! The chopsticks will remain clean and off the table. No rest? Then lay them neatly across the plate or bowl: never sticking upright into a bowl of rice, as that resembles a funeral ritual in Japanese culture.
4. No Stabbing or Pointing
First, don’t stab sushi with a chopstick, that’s what a fork is for! Also, do not point or gesture using chopsticks, especially at people. This is a heinous etiquette bugaboo in Japan.
5. Eat Nigiri With Hands or Chopsticks
Not everything should be eaten with a pair of chopsticks. The traditional way of eating nigiri is by hand. Flip it fish-side-down into the soy sauce without soaking the rice.
6. Not Too Much Soy Sauce
Too much dipping spoils the very fine flavor and leads to rice disintegration. A light dip, even better if just the fish side, is all you need.
7. Don’t Mix Wasabi in the Soy Sauce
Wasabi mixed into your soy sauce is one of those things that is a tradition in the United States but is not proper at sushi bars. If the fish needs more kick, apply wasabi directly on the fish.
Sushi Inc. is a vibrant restaurant that offers what is considered the best sushi in St Pete. Opening its doors in 2013 and becoming a local staple by offering live music, traditional hand-rolled sushi, and a friendly atmosphere, our guests always have a top-notch experience. Customers love our award-winning, fresh, and creative Sushi rolls, Nigiri, and Sashimi. With a larger selection of tempura, non-Sushi, and teriyaki options, we can accommodate every taste.