Sushi Etiquette Guide for Diners

Sushi shops originally started as food stands where people ate while standing, but over time, they have evolved into more luxurious dining spaces. Many now serve alcohol and are designed for guests to linger for a few hours. Ultimately, sushi restaurants are places to eat and drink, so focus on enjoying the sushi you like. There are no strict rules about what to eat, but do be considerate of other diners.

Below is a detailed guide to your sushi dining experience, from making a reservation to leaving the restaurant.

Making a Reservation

When booking by phone, the best time to call is usually between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m.

If this is your first visit and you’re concerned about the cost, let the restaurant know your budget. You can also share your preferences, any allergies, or other relevant information.

There are three main ways to order:

Omakase (Chef’s Choice) – If you’re happy to let the chef select the day’s best sushi, this is the option to choose. There are usually two types: one that includes a mix of tsumami (appetizers) and nigiri, and another that consists of nigiri only (although not all restaurants offer both). If you’re still hungry after the omakase course, you can order additional pieces.

Okonomi (Customer’s Choice) – Choose this option if you know what you want and prefer to select your own toppings. Let the restaurant know your budget in advance so you can enjoy your meal without worrying about the cost.

If you have an unusual request—such as wanting to eat ten pieces of sea urchin (uni) or a large quantity of a particular topping—be sure to mention it when making your reservation. Sushi restaurants purchase ingredients based on the number of reservations they receive each day, so giving advance notice allows the chef to prepare accordingly and increases the likelihood that your request can be accommodated.

Okimari (Set Menu) – Set menus are usually available in Standard (Nami), Premium (Jo), and Deluxe (Tokujo) options. You can often order additional items if you’re still hungry. Some high-end restaurants may offer only omakase, so okonomi and okimari may not always be available.

Arrive on time for your reservation.

Seating

Stay in your assigned seat at the counter. In traditional restaurants, regular customers may have preferred seats directly in front of the sushi chef. If you prefer to enjoy sake and conversation with your companions—whether friends, a partner, family members, or business associates—a table may be a better choice.

When seated at the counter, you may notice a raised platform between you and the sushi chef called a tsukedai. It is slightly higher than the counter and is often finished in red or black lacquer. Traditionally, sushi is placed directly on this surface. In many modern restaurants, however, plates or wooden stands (geta) are used instead to make cleaning easier. Guests should not move these plates or stands.

Behavior

  • Avoid yelling, arguing, or any other disruptive behavior.
  • Do not wear strong perfumes or fragrances, as the aroma of the fish is an important part of the dining experience.
  • Nail art is perfectly fine, but consider using chopsticks to avoid touching the sushi with your nails.
  • Avoid asking, “What’s today’s recommendation?” Everything on the menu is recommended. Instead, ask about seasonal fish or mention your preferences (e.g., “I like shellfish. Could you choose something for me?”) and leave the selection to the chef.
  • Terms used by sushi staff, such as agari, murasaki, and oaiso, are not intended for customers. Simply ask for tea, soy sauce, or the check as you normally would.
  • Always ask for permission before taking photos, as some high-end sushi restaurants prohibit photography.
  • Smoking is never allowed, for the same reasons that strong perfumes are discouraged.
  • Dress appropriately for the restaurant. While there is no strict dress code, overly casual or sloppy clothing is generally not appropriate.
  • If you need to take a phone call, step outside the restaurant.
  • Avoid placing your phone, watch, or other personal items directly on the counter. Place your phone on a handkerchief if necessary, and remove your watch before dining. If you accidentally spill soy sauce on the counter, ask a staff member to clean it.

Eating Etiquette

  • It is fine to request sushi without wasabi or with less wasabi.
  • Gari (pickled ginger) is meant to refresh your palate between pieces of sushi, especially after richer or fattier toppings. Avoid eating too much at once.
  • Be careful with aojiso (green perilla) served as a garnish, as its strong aroma and flavor can overwhelm your palate. Unless it is already incorporated into nigiri sushi or sushi rolls, it is generally best to avoid eating it, as it may interfere with your ability to appreciate the delicate flavors of the sushi.
  • Hot tea is ideal for cleansing the palate between bites. It may be served slightly cooled so that it is comfortable to drink at the beginning of the meal.
  • You may eat sashimi garnishes (tsuma), but it is not required. The term tsuma does not specifically refer to shredded daikon radish; it is a general term for the garnishes served under or alongside sashimi. Common examples include shredded daikon radish, green shiso leaves, and wakame seaweed.
  • Avoid monopolizing the chef’s or owner’s time with excessive conversation.
  • Do not repeatedly order the same item during omakase, as high-end restaurants may have limited stock. With okonomi, you are free to order according to your preferences. Be considerate when ordering, as some ingredients are available only in limited quantities, and prices are generally based on the market price of each item.
  • Eat sushi immediately after it is served, ideally within 10 seconds.
  • Sushi may be eaten with your hands or chopsticks. Restaurants that encourage hand-eating may provide an extra small towel. Feel free to use chopsticks if you are more comfortable using them.
  • Eat each piece in one bite to fully enjoy the balance of fish and rice. Do not separate the topping from the rice (shari). For larger toppings, such as kuruma ebi (kuruma prawn), the sushi may be cut in half before serving. You can also ask for the amount of shari to be adjusted if needed.
  • Place shrimp tails on the side of your plate rather than in the soy sauce dish.
  • Enjoy seasonal fish at its peak for the best flavor.
  • Use only a small amount of soy sauce on the topping; dipping the rice can cause the sushi to fall apart and mask its delicate flavors.
  • When using chopsticks, pick up sushi from the sides rather than squeezing it in the middle, as this helps prevent it from falling apart.
  • Some toppings, such as kuruma ebi or anago, are cooked after they are ordered. Consider ordering these in advance if you would like to avoid waiting.
  • If juices from the food or soy sauce are about to drip, it is acceptable to hold a small plate in one hand while eating. Avoid leaning over your plate or eating with poor posture.
  • You may see people cupping one hand beneath their mouth while eating to catch dripping soy sauce or soup. Although many people believe this is polite, it is actually considered poor table manners in Japan.

Advanced Tips

  • Edomae sushi is often seasoned by the chef and should not be dipped in soy sauce. Some pieces are prepared with nikiri (light soy glaze), salt, or nitsume (sweet glaze). Try the sushi as prepared.
  • There are no strict rules about the order in which to eat your sushi, but it is generally best to eat sweeter items, such as conger eel and tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), toward the end of the meal.
  • When you are served soup near the end of an omakase course, it often signals that the meal is coming to an end. If you would like additional sushi, this is the best time to order. If you are dining with a client or on another hosted occasion, it may also indicate that the meal has reached the budget agreed upon in advance.
  • If you become full during an omakase course, simply let the chef know how many more pieces you can comfortably eat. This is not considered rude.
  • If you would like extra pieces of a particular topping, let the restaurant know when making your reservation.
  • Once you have finished your meal, it is customary to leave rather than linger. Typically, a sushi-only meal takes about one hour; with drinks and appetizers, around two hours is reasonable.

Payment and Leaving

  • Bills are often written on a small slip of paper without a detailed breakdown.
  • Some restaurants accept cash only, so it is worth confirming this when making your reservation.
  • When leaving, a simple “Thank you, that was delicious,” or “Gochisōsama deshita” is more than enough.

Summary

With these tips in mind, you can relax and enjoy sushi while focusing on the flavors and the overall experience. We hope this guide helps you make the most of your visit to a sushi restaurant.