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 common. Many small restaurants have one in front of their doors for customers to choose from. All you have to do is press a button, pay, and give the ticket to the waiter. |
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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 around. |
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| You may be asked to take off your shoes when entering a restaurant. In many places, the wait staff will remind you to leave your shoes outside. But if they don’t, be aware of your surroundings and the design of the floor (which is a raised step) as you enter. |
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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. |
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| Before eating, the waiter 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 towel should not be used to wipe your face or neck. |
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| Drinks are served first while diners wait for their food. Locals often say kanpai (cheers) to friends before drinking. |
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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. |
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| Leaving a tip is considered rude and even offensive in Japan. For locals, saying “thank you for the meal” (arigatou gozaimasu) is the best way for customers to show their appreciation to the restaurant. |
According to Zing.vn
