If you are going to spend time traveling through Asia, then you’ll need this guide to Asian dining etiquette.
There’s still more than a month of summer left. That’s plenty of time to travel around the world before the cold weather starts to return. That said, if you are going to spend time traveling through Asia, then you’ll need this guide to Asian dining etiquette.
In Vietnam
Let’s begin our Asian dining etiquette adventures in Vietnam. Here, you’ll be expected to use chopsticks and spoons as you eat your way through a delicious family-style meal. However, if you’re out a restaurant somewhere in Hanoi, you can always request. The French influence on Vietnamese cuisine and food culture means that there shouldn’t be a shortage of forks. Make sure you keep both hands in view on the table. Doing this makes it easy to hold your bowl and your utensils. If you’re worried about spilling your food, then you can also keep your bowl close to your mouth.
In China
Once you’ve arrived in China, you’ll find that the etiquette is somewhat different. If you are dining with elders, allow them to sit down and begin eating first, especially at a banquet. The elders in your group will also announce when it is time to eat. Whatever you do, do not leave your chopsticks sticking straight up in your bowl of rice. You may not understand the significance at first, but it brings bad luck. You’ll find this belief common all over Asia, too. Chew with your mouth closed, and wait for the dishes to be passed around because the table is equipped with a lazy Susan. However, don’t be afraid to stand and reach for something, unless you feel comfortable asking someone to pass you something instead.
In Japan
When it comes to the rules of Asian dining etiquette, things are a bit different in Japan. Brush up on your chopstick skills before you go because you might not be able to use other utensils. Don’t play with your chopsticks or use them to spear your food. Soy sauce is an important part of mealtime in Japan, however, instead of pouring the sauce over your food, you should pour a little bit into the small dish and then dip what you are eating, especially if it is sushi. Once you’re done, don’t tip. Tipping isn’t all that common in Asia, but in Japan, it is considered rude.
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