Do's and Don'ts of Using Japanese Restaurant Tableware

Do's

1. Do Use Chopsticks Correctly:

• Hold your chopsticks towards their thicker end, not in the middle or near the tips. Practice proper chopstick etiquette to show respect for Japanese culture.

2. Do Place Chopsticks on the Chopstick Rest:

• When you are not using your chopsticks, place them on the provided chopstick rest (hashioki). If a rest is not provided, you can place them neatly on the side of your plate.

3. Do Pour Drinks for Others:

• In Japanese dining culture, it is customary to pour drinks for others, especially if you are dining with colleagues or friends. When someone pours a drink for you, hold your glass with both hands to show appreciation.

Don'ts

1. Don't Stick Chopsticks Vertically into Food:

• Avoid sticking chopsticks upright into a bowl of rice or any other dish. This resembles a funeral ritual and is considered very disrespectful.

2. Don't Pass Food from Chopstick to Chopstick:

• Passing food directly from one person's chopsticks to another's is also a funeral practice. Instead, place the food on a plate for the other person to pick up.

3. Don't Rub Chopsticks Together:

• Rubbing disposable wooden chopsticks together to remove splinters is considered rude. It implies that the chopsticks are of poor quality. Instead, simply use them as they are.