Sushi Etiquette: How to Eat Soy Sauce, Wasabi, and Ginger Properly

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It's Fine to Eat With Your Hands

Nigiri sushi is traditionally acceptable to eat with your hands, not just chopsticks.

Dip the Fish Side in Soy Sauce, Not the Rice

When dipping sushi in soy sauce, lightly dipping just the fish (neta) rather than the rice keeps the rice from falling apart and preserves the flavor balance.

Don't Pre-Mix Wasabi Into the Soy Sauce

The chef has often already added an appropriate amount of wasabi inside the sushi, so mixing extra wasabi into the soy sauce separately is generally avoided in more formal settings.

Ginger Is a Palate Cleanser, Not a Side Dish

Pickled ginger (gari) isn't meant to be eaten alongside the sushi — it's meant to cleanse the palate between different pieces.

Eat It in One Bite

Sushi is made bite-sized based on the chef's calculated ratio of rice to fish, so eating it in one go rather than splitting it is considered the best way to experience its full flavor.

Go From Light to Rich Flavors

Starting with milder white fish and working toward richer, fattier cuts like tuna belly keeps your palate from getting dulled, for a better overall experience.

Avoid Strong Perfume

Since enjoying the fish's delicate natural aroma matters at a sushi restaurant, wearing strong perfume is sometimes considered inconsiderate to other diners.

Enjoying the Ingredients Matters More Than Formality

There are several traditional points of etiquette, but rather than being overly bound by formality, the most important thing is fully enjoying the fresh flavor the chef carefully prepared. Remembering just a few of these basics can make the sushi restaurant experience that much richer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it correct to eat sushi with chopsticks or your hands?

Neither breaks etiquette — nigiri sushi in particular is traditionally considered just as natural to pick up and eat with your hands.

Is it okay to soak sushi in soy sauce for a while?

Soaking it too long can cause the rice to fall apart and let the soy sauce flavor overpower the fish's delicate taste, so a quick dip right before eating is better.