You will have the opportunity to eat at restaurants or have meals with Japanese friends when traveling in this country. Below are 10 things to know about their dining culture.
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| Most restaurants in Japan display plastic food samples representing the menu items. This makes it easier to choose your food and gives you an idea of what the actual dish will look like. Photo: Sugoroku.osaka. |
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| Vending machines are very popular. Many small restaurants usually have one in front of their doors for customers to choose from. All you have to do is press the button, pay and bring the ticket to the waiter. Photo: Miyazaki-restaurant. |
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| Japanese people are willing to wait in long lines just to get into a good restaurant, even if there are many other restaurants nearby. Photo: Lifeofaminion. |
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| You may be asked to take off your shoes when entering a restaurant. In many places, the waiter will remind you to leave your shoes outside. But if no one does, be aware of your surroundings and the design of the floor (which is one step higher) when you first enter. Photo: Ameblo.jp. |
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| Don’t be surprised if the restaurant has a basket for customers to put their bags and belongings. These baskets are usually placed right under the table or behind the chair, helping diners not to get tangled up while eating. Photo: Beau-p. |
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| Before eating, the waiters will place a wet towel (oshibori) on the table. It is polite to wipe your hands as soon as it is brought out, but remember that this type of towel should not be used to wipe your face or neck. Photo: Hatsuhanatei. |
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| Drinks are served first while diners wait for their food. Locals often say kanpai (cheers) to their friends before drinking. Photo: Reservation/Yahoo. |
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| Japanese people often order many dishes and eat them together in one meal. This is a common custom in Asian countries in general. Photo: Mamari. |
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| Just like ordering food, Japanese people chip in to pay for the meal. They also often calculate the bill in a round-robin manner. Photo: Withnews. |
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| Leaving a tip is considered rude, even insulting, to the Japanese. For the locals, saying “thank you for the meal” (arigatou gozaimasu) is the best way for customers to show their appreciation to the restaurant. Photo: D.hatena. |
According to Zing
