Japanese Sushi & Dining Etiquette
In short: Eat nigiri with your hands (completely fine). Dip the fish, not the rice, lightly into soy sauce. One bite where you can. No rubbing chopsticks, no upright sticks in rice, eat each piece while warm, finish your rice. Tip is not expected. Gari is a palate cleanser, not a topping.
NigiriHands okay
Soy sauceFish side only
PaceEat while warm
ChopsticksDon’t rub together
GariPalate cleanser
TipNot expected
Do
- Eat nigiri with your hands if it feels natural.
- Dip the fish side into soy sauce lightly, not the rice.
- Eat each piece while the rice is warm.
- Use gari (pickled ginger) between pieces to reset your palate.
- Finish your rice (it’s polite).
- Chat with the chef at the counter if the mood is right.
Don’t
- Rub disposable chopsticks together (it’s fine to use them as-is).
- Stick chopsticks upright in rice (echoes funeral rites).
- Pass food chopstick-to-chopstick (same reason; use a plate).
- Pile gari on top of the sushi.
- Add large amounts of wasabi without asking the chef first.
- Eat while walking (mildly frowned upon; stay beside the stall).
- Tip the chef (not expected and can cause confusion).
- Wave chopsticks around or point with them.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it rude to eat sushi with your hands in Japan?
No. Nigiri (fish over rice) is traditionally eaten with hands. It’s completely fine and many chefs prefer it. Sashimi, rolls, and gunkan are chopsticks, but nigiri hands are fine.
What is the correct way to use chopsticks at a sushi restaurant?
Don’t rub them together (it’s rude). Lay them flat on your plate between bites. Never stick them upright in rice or pass food chopstick-to-chopstick (both echo funeral rites). Don’t point or wave with them.
Do you tip at a sushi restaurant in Japan?
No. Tipping is not expected anywhere in Japan and can cause confusion or offense. The price you see is the price. Service is built into the cost; no gratuity is needed or wanted.