Sushi is a popular Japanese dish that consists of vinegared rice combined with various toppings like raw seafood, vegetables, and sometimes tropical fruits. The flavorsome rice and toppings are enjoyed worldwide today. However, there is an ongoing debate on whether sushi should be eaten with chopsticks or hands. Both methods have their merits and drawbacks. This article will examine the arguments on both sides to help you decide how you should eat your sushi.
Arguments for eating sushi with hands
It’s the traditional way to eat sushi in Japan
Sushi originates from Japan, where it has been eaten for centuries. The traditional way to eat sushi in Japan has always been with the hands. In fact, using chopsticks to eat sushi is frowned upon by sushi purists and traditionalists. They argue that sushi is finger food meant to be picked up and enjoyed with fingers. The Japanese etiquette is to use the fingers of one hand to pick up a single piece, dip it lightly in soy sauce, flip it over to avoid having excessive soy sauce drip off, and then enjoy the sushi in one bite. Using chopsticks improperly manipulates the shape of sushi, negatively impacting optimal flavor enjoyment.
The hand provides a gentle grip to keep the sushi intact
Sushi pieces are delicate creations that can fall apart if handled roughly. The gentle grip of fingers can hold the pieces together firmly while keeping the shape intact. In contrast, chopsticks can accidentally crush and disintegrate the rice and toppings, destroying the aesthetic appeal. The chef carefully constructs each piece to blend the rice, toppings and condiments for balanced flavor and texture. Eating with hands allows you to appreciate the chef’s skill in originally crafting each piece.
The direct touch enhances taste and texture perception
Picking sushi up with bare hands allows you to get the full experience through direct touch. The tactile feedback from a direct hand-food interaction activates the five senses, allowing you to appreciate the temperature, moisture, sticky texture of rice, and smoothness of fillings. In comparison, chopsticks put a barrier between hand to food, slightly diminishing the multisensory stimulation.
It allows dipping just a small corner in soy sauce
Proper sushi etiquette entails lightly dipping just the corner or fish side of the sushi in a small amount of soy sauce before consuming each piece. This prevents overpowering the delicate flavors of the sushi with soy. Dipping with fingers gives precise control over how much soy sauce coats your sushi. Chopsticks make it harder to dip a small section, often causing too much soy dripping on and ruining the overall taste.
It’s less pretentious than using chopsticks
In the Western world, eating sushi with chopsticks is sometimes viewed as an ostentatious way to show off familiarity with Japanese culture. Using chopsticks improperly because of lack of experience or training draws further negative judgement. Hand eating eliminates self-consciousness and judgement around proper chopstick handling. It allows you to comfortably focus on enjoying your sushi.
Arguments for eating sushi with chopsticks
Chopsticks provide dexterity in handling wet food
Sushi contains wet and slippery ingredients like rice, seaweed wrappers and sauces. Fingers lack the dexterity to grip these tightly, causing accidental drops and messy hands. In comparison, wooden chopsticks wielded properly between the thumb and fingers provide more control in picking up wet morsels firmly without dropping them. The grooves of the bamboo also provide friction to get a good grip.
It helps pace your sushi consumption
Sushi is meant to be savored slowly piece by piece to appreciate the complex combination of ingredients in each bite. However, hand eating has a tendency to speed up eating as you quickly grab pieces with your fingers and pop them in your mouth. In contrast, maneuvering chopsticks to pick up a piece takes more time and effort, helping you slow down and mindfully enjoy each piece.
Chopsticks prevent your hands from smelling like fish
The raw fish in sushi emits a strong scent that lingers on your hands after eating with fingers. Some find the fishy hand smell unappetizing when it transfers to the sushi pieces. Chopstick use avoids this dilemma, keeping the smell away from your hands. You can also enjoy sushi neatly without dirtying your hands.
It maintains hygiene and reduces transmission of germs
Public health experts advise minimizing direct hand contact with food to reduce the spread of germs and infections. Sushi bars can be prone to germ buildup from people using bare, unwashed hands to handle the sushi. Using your own cleaned chopsticks helps maintain hygiene and reduces unnecessary contact. This prevents transfer of germs from hands to the shared sushi trays.
Chopsticks allow easier handling of spilling fillings
Some sushi varieties have loose rice or fillings like roe that can spill out when picked up with hands. The firm grip and shape of chopsticks can grasp and contain all the contents together, preventing messy spills. It also keeps the structural integrity of rolled sushi intact during transportation from plate to mouth.
It satisfies the sense of authenticity among non-Japanese
Most non-Japanese diners have the perception that using chopsticks is the “right” and authentic way to eat sushi. While hand eating may be traditional in Japan, it could seem improper and awkward to those unfamiliar with the custom. Chopsticks offer the satisfaction of an authentic sushi eating experience from a non-Japanese perspective.
Comparing ease of use
For those accustomed to using chopsticks, they can manipulate sushi pieces with great dexterity. But chopsticks require training and practice to master. For first-timers, maneuvering the wooden sticks neatly is tricky and drops are common. Eating with hands has a much gentler learning curve. Even young kids can adeptly pick up sushi pieces with their fingers. However, dirty or sticky fingers from sushi rice present a downside. Overall, ease of use is relative based on individual experience and preference.
Etiquette considerations
In high-end traditional sushi establishments in Japan, eating with hands is perfectly acceptable and even expected. But at more casual kaiten-style conveyor belt sushi joints, hand eating may be frowned upon for hygiene. When in doubt, observe how other diners are eating their sushi. Chopsticks are considered more polite at multi-cuisine Japanese restaurants or in mixed company. At Western sushi outlets, hands or chopsticks are both commonly used without judgement. Ultimately, you should follow whichever eating method you are most comfortable with.
Making adjustments for different sushi types
The best method can vary based on the type of sushi:
Nigiri (oval rice base with topping) – Hands recommended as the traditional way to eat, allows gently holding the nigiri together
Maki rolls (seaweed rolls with rice and fillings) – Chopsticks recommended to preserve the roll shape and prevent loose fillings from falling out
Temaki (conical hand roll) – Hands highly recommended as it is shaped to be picked up and eaten with fingers
Oshi-zushi (pressed sushi) – Either hands or chopsticks, depends on personal preference
Chirashi-zushi (sushi rice bowl) – Chopsticks recommended due to the loose rice grains in the bowl
So you can make situational adjustments based on which sushi variety you are served.
Conclusion
The sushi hand vs chopstick debate has good arguments on both sides. In the end, it comes down to personal eating style. Here are some closing tips:
– In Japan, use hands at traditional sushi bars and chopsticks at casual kaiten joints
– Elsewhere, use your accustomed and comfortable eating method without worry of judgement
– Adjust by sushi type – use hands for nigiri and rolls, chopsticks for rolls with loose contents and bowls
– Focus on enjoying the tastes and textures rather than fretting over etiquette
– Never use fingers and chopsticks together, and avoid rubbing sticks together as it insults the chef
– Practice chopstick skills if new to it, and wash hands thoroughly before eating
– Most importantly, relax and savor each delectable bite of sushi however you prefer to eat it!
