The Japanese consider it rude to leave food on your plate, and even more so to order more food when you haven't finished everything you've already got. This is related to one of the fundamental concepts in Japanese culture, mottainai, which is a feeling of regret at having wasted something.
Absolutely not. It's rude not to try everything on your plate, just as it is rude to put salt or pepper on your food before you taste it.
It is OK to eat nigiri-zushi (sushi) with your hands. Sashimi is only to be eaten with your chopsticks. Pick up the nigiri-zushi and dip the fish (neta) into your shoyu, not the rice (which will soak up too much shoyu).
This is the case in China. It's considered rude to eat everything on your plate because doing so implies that you're still hungry, even if you're not. That means that the host hasn't done a satisfactory job of providing enough food and can make them feel bad.
You should never use your fingers to eat sushi as this is considered very rude. It is also important to not rub your chopsticks together as this implies that they are dirty. If you need to rest your chopsticks, you can place them on the provided chopstick rest or on the edge of your plate.
Always leave food on your plate in China.
That's not so in China. Finishing your plate when dining at someone's home in China suggests the food wasn't filling enough, and that your host was skimping on the portion size. Always leave behind a little food to show the host that their meal was filling and satisfying.
Don't use the chopsticks like a sword and "spear" your food. The Japanese consider this behavior rude. If the food is too difficult to pick up (this happens often with slippery foods), go ahead and use a fork instead.
When eating from shared dishes (as it is commonly done at some restaurants such as izakaya), it is polite to use the opposite end of your chopsticks or dedicated serving chopsticks for moving food to your own dish. Blowing your nose at the table, burping and audible munching are considered bad manners in Japan.
Eat the sushi. Smaller pieces like nigiri and sashimi should be eaten in one bite, but larger American-style rolls may need to be eaten in two or more bites. Chew the sushi completely, allowing the flavor to coat the inside of your mouth. If you're drinking sake along with your sushi, now is a good time to take a sip.
Pointing at people or things is considered rude in Japan. Instead of using a finger to point at something, the Japanese use a hand to gently wave at what they would like to indicate. When referring to themselves, people will use their forefinger to touch their nose instead of pointing at themselves.
The next time you enjoy sushi, you might think twice about mixing your wasabi with soy sauce. According to a new report, the act of making “wasabi joyu,” an amalgamation of the words “wasabi” and “shoyu,” is not proper etiquette for eating sushi.
Malaysian Culture: Eating with your hands! In many cultures, especially in Asia, most food is eaten by hand. While country like Japan and Korea alike uses special utensils like chopstick and spoon, in many countries like India, Africa and the Middle East, their bare hand is the only thing they needed.
Each bite of a food or sip of a drink is enjoyed less than the previous one, a familiar phenomenon called "sensory-specific satiety." So consuming a larger portion means that the average enjoyment of the food or drink being eaten is reduced.
Traditionally, you should leave a bite on your plate to convey that you enjoyed the meal and were served enough to be satisfied. Today, diners (and especially children) shouldn't be excepted to join the #CleanPlateClub or feel bad if they finish their meal. Instead, just eat until you're full.
Instead, it is polite to say "gochisosama deshita" ("thank you for the meal") when leaving.
Sushi. The reason why you can't consider sushi as a healthy meal is that not all sushi is healthy. You really have to be selective with the different types of sushi that you wish to eat. When you're craving sushi while on diet, stick to sushi with fresh fish or lean meats, such as beef or chicken.
You'll be given chopsticks with your meal, but if you're not comfortable using them, it's fine to ask for a fork. That said, don't be afraid to try: it will show your guest that you're a good sport. It's also perfectly acceptable to eat sushi with your fingers, but sashimi should be enjoyed with chopsticks or a fork.
Others are manner rules universal: don't speak with your mouth full, and close your mouth while you are chewing. What's special for Japanese food is perhaps the use of chopsticks. Please avoid holding food with two pairs of chopsticks.
China – Leave some food on your plate
If you grew up within a Western culture – perhaps you were told to eat all the food on your plate because it's polite. Well, if you tried to do this in China… it tells your host so you haven't been served enough. So they will keep handing you delicious Chinese food for days!
In China, leave some food on your plate – it's rude to clean your plate, like you're telling your host that he or she did not provide you enough.
Crossing your arms
This is considered a hostile position, and it's unlikely that anybody will approach you for a chat if you're standing with your arms crossed. If you cross your arms during a conversation with a Japanese person you don't know very well, they may take that as a signal that you don't want to talk.