As eating sushi has become a popular dining experience, Americans have embraced the trend – but not the etiquette.
T.T. Nguyen, sushi chef at Tsunami, said eating sushi the right way starts with the basics.
“You are given chopsticks, but sushi was meant to be a finger food,” Nguyen said. “The only time to really use your chopsticks is when you eat sashimi.”
Lawrence Steele, manager at Hello Sushi and University alumnus, said customers mistakenly use soy sauce on rice.
“Soy sauce is supposed to bring out the flavor of the fish, not the rice,” Steele said. “The rice is fine the way it is.”
Nguyen said when eating nigiri sushi – a piece of fish over rice – customers should flip it over to only dip the fish in the soy sauce. He also said it is acceptable to put wasabi, a spicy paste, on top of sushi or in the soy sauce.
Ginger, a sliced pickled root, is a small but important part of the meal, Steele said.
“Ginger is used to cleanse the palate between different sushi,” Steele said. “You aren’t supposed to eat it casually. It has a purpose.”
Steele said chopsticks should never be placed on the table.
“Place your chopsticks across the bowl or plate,” Steele said.
“Hello Sushi actually has small holders for chopsticks that allows you to put them out of the way.”
According to www.sushifaq.com, certain actions with chopsticks resemble Japanese funeral traditions and are therefore considered offensive. If someone passes food to another person using chopsticks, it mimics the way Japanese pass bones at a relative’s funeral. It is better to pass sushi on a plate.
Roger Norman, marketing sophomore, said he was not aware of sushi etiquette.
“I eat sushi about twice a week, but I didn’t know there was any sort of rules to it,” Norman said. “I probably won’t change my ways anyway.”
Blake Peters, finance senior, said it is good to know, and he would apply the rules if he learned more about them.
Nguyen said the chefs are very proud of their work and consider every serving an art.
“As a chef, presentation is very important,” Nguyen said. “I am very concerned about customer service.”
To show gratitude, some customers at the sushi bar will buy their chefs drinks.
“You definitely don’t have to,” Nguyen said. “It depends on the customer, but I have drinks bought for me all the time. Someone will come in and say ‘Hey, want a sake bomb?'”
Steele said it could be considered a form of tip.
While Nguyen does not correct customers on the right way to eat sushi, he does not mind giving a little guidance.
“If people ask, I will show them how to use chopsticks,” he said. “I’ll also show them how to mix the wasabi in their soy sauce and anything else they may ask.”
Steele said it is offensive for a customer to ask for a fork, but it is acceptable to request trainer chopsticks.
“I believe you should try to eat it how it is done traditionally,” Steele said.
—-Contact Ashley Norsworthy at [email protected]