Japan
JapanAt restaurants
Ordering, paying, and the small rituals that are easy to get wrong.
Do you tip in Japan?
No. Tipping is not expected, and money left behind is usually treated as forgotten, not as a gift.
Is it rude to slurp noodles?
The opposite. Slurping is the expected way to eat noodles here, and eating them silently is the odd thing.
Can I eat vegetarian or vegan here?
Yes, but it takes planning. The problem is not visible meat — it is fish stock hidden in things that look plant-based.
How do ticket machines at ramen shops work?
Pay at the machine first, then hand the printed ticket to the staff.
Do I eat sushi with chopsticks or with my hands?
Either. Hands are entirely correct for nigiri, and at a counter they are arguably the better tool.