Dining Out

Generally speaking, Japanese people are health conscious and have high expectations regarding quality food. Dining culture in Japan is very unique and some etiquettes are quite surprising for newcomers.

Taking home leftovers

The majority of restaurants in Japan do not allow customers to bring back leftover food. As the portion tends to be generally smaller than it is in western countries, many expect the customers to finish the food in the first place. However, even if it’s a big portion, Japanese restaurants do not like customers taking the food home because of the issue surrounding food safety. 

Restaurants worry that food might get bad between the time the customer leaves the restaurants and eat them at home. If they are not properly refrigerated or stored during said time, customers can get sick. They do not want to take any chances as Japanese restaurants/ consumers take food safety very seriously and one complaint can be detrimental to their business. 

As more restaurants take on take out businesses, some places are starting to permit customers to take the food home (limited to those who are willing to take possible risks and have agreed that it will be their responsibility not the restaurant’s when something happens). 

Chopstick usage

Chopsticks are the most used eating utensil in Japan. Japanese people eat rice, noodles, and even potato chips with chopsticks. There are several etiquettes regarding chopstick usage including rules that are universal and etiquettes that are more unique to Japanese culture. 

  1. Do not stick chopsticks into food

  2. Do not stab the food

  3. Do not pass food between people with chopsticks: this is only done in funerals when handling   cremated bones

  4. Do not point at objects or people with chopsticks

  5. Do not make noise with/play with chopsticks

  6. Do not leave the chopstick in X shape: when finish eating, place your chopstick so that it is parallel to one another

Using chopsticks in above ways are seen as lacking in manners and are considered very rude. The ones that involve traditional funeral culture is especially a big no-no.