1. Serving Manners
マナー
The act of arranging food on trays or serving it on the table is called serving 配膳. In Japan, chopsticks are placed horizontally in front of your plate or arm, with the tips facing left. In Japan, there is a custom of plating food for each person like 定食.
In Japanese cuisine, people eat by lifting the bowl and using chopsticks. Furthermore, in China and Korea, people eat by bringing their mouths close to the food without lifting the bowl, but this way of eating is considered bad manners in Japan.
2. Chopstick etiquette
箸
Japan is not the only country that uses chopsticks. It is also used in Asian countries such as China, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand. However, chopstick etiquette, also known as 独自 (“unique”), differs from country to country, and Japan has its own chopstick etiquette.
3. Violation of Chopstick Etiquette
違反
In Japan, there are some ways to use chopsticks that are a violation of etiquette. It is called 忌み橋 and examples include the following:
さし箸 - stick my chopsticks in the food to pick it up, or I eat it while it's still stuck in it.
にぎり箸 - Hold two chopsticks together instead of holding them correctly
ひろい箸 - Transfer food from one chopstick to another chopsticks
よせ箸 - Pull the bowl of the food towards you with the chopsticks
4. Food sounds
音
If you chew your food without closing your mouth, you will hear a clicking sound クチャクチャ. This sound is considered unpleasant by Japanese people. On the other hand, there are some sounds that are acceptable in Japan. It is the sound of slurping hot tea, miso soup, or noodles such as udon, soba, or ramen. The sound of slurping noodles can be said to be a welcome sound, giving a sense of welcome. Even though pasta is the same type of noodle, it is basically a part of Western cuisine, so it is considered unnatural and bad manners to eat it with slurping. The only things that are allowed to make slurping sounds are those that are part of Japanese cuisine.
5.Differences in food culture
異文化
When you go to a certain place, you should behave in a way that is appropriate for the place (group) you are going to, even if it is different from your own values. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." If you come to Japan, try imitating the Japanese way of eating, such as eating soba noodles making noise or lifting a bowl to drink miso soup. If you don't feel comfortable with it, there's no need to push yourself too hard. If you tell them your honest feelings, people will understand.
Can you slurp while eating ramen? Share in the comments!
Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/maruwaka-migake/articles/article_20.html
マナー
The act of arranging food on trays or serving it on the table is called serving 配膳. In Japan, chopsticks are placed horizontally in front of your plate or arm, with the tips facing left. In Japan, there is a custom of plating food for each person like 定食.
In Japanese cuisine, people eat by lifting the bowl and using chopsticks. Furthermore, in China and Korea, people eat by bringing their mouths close to the food without lifting the bowl, but this way of eating is considered bad manners in Japan.
2. Chopstick etiquette
箸
Japan is not the only country that uses chopsticks. It is also used in Asian countries such as China, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand. However, chopstick etiquette, also known as 独自 (“unique”), differs from country to country, and Japan has its own chopstick etiquette.
3. Violation of Chopstick Etiquette
違反
In Japan, there are some ways to use chopsticks that are a violation of etiquette. It is called 忌み橋 and examples include the following:
さし箸 - stick my chopsticks in the food to pick it up, or I eat it while it's still stuck in it.
にぎり箸 - Hold two chopsticks together instead of holding them correctly
ひろい箸 - Transfer food from one chopstick to another chopsticks
よせ箸 - Pull the bowl of the food towards you with the chopsticks
4. Food sounds
音
If you chew your food without closing your mouth, you will hear a clicking sound クチャクチャ. This sound is considered unpleasant by Japanese people. On the other hand, there are some sounds that are acceptable in Japan. It is the sound of slurping hot tea, miso soup, or noodles such as udon, soba, or ramen. The sound of slurping noodles can be said to be a welcome sound, giving a sense of welcome. Even though pasta is the same type of noodle, it is basically a part of Western cuisine, so it is considered unnatural and bad manners to eat it with slurping. The only things that are allowed to make slurping sounds are those that are part of Japanese cuisine.
5.Differences in food culture
異文化
When you go to a certain place, you should behave in a way that is appropriate for the place (group) you are going to, even if it is different from your own values. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." If you come to Japan, try imitating the Japanese way of eating, such as eating soba noodles making noise or lifting a bowl to drink miso soup. If you don't feel comfortable with it, there's no need to push yourself too hard. If you tell them your honest feelings, people will understand.
Can you slurp while eating ramen? Share in the comments!
Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/maruwaka-migake/articles/article_20.html
