{"id":48948,"date":"2026-06-28T18:20:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T18:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/48948\/"},"modified":"2026-06-28T18:20:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T18:20:09","slug":"sushi-is-there-a-right-and-wrong-way-to-eat-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/48948\/","title":{"rendered":"Sushi: Is There a ‘Right’ and ‘Wrong’ Way To Eat it?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"man<\/p>\n

Via iStockphoto \/ @mr.tokyo.adventure TikTok<\/a><\/p>\n

Americans have embraced few foods from abroad as enthusiastically as Japanese sushi. The U.S. even came up with its own now-iconic American-style rolls<\/a>, including the California roll, spicy tuna roll, dragon roll, and plenty of others.<\/p>\n

But debates about the \u201cright\u201d and \u201cwrong\u201d way to eat food from another culture are always popular online, and sushi is a frequent target.<\/p>\n

Recently, Japanese creator Mr. Tokyo (@mr.tokyo.adventure) shared a few sushi tips that he says locals know naturally. After some people pushed back, he posted another video explaining the philosophy behind it.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s The Right Way To Eat Sushi?<\/p>\n

In a previous video on Instagram<\/a>, Mr. Tokyo explained a few common sushi etiquette tips.<\/p>\n

First, he said you should not dip the rice side of sushi into soy sauce. Instead, you should dip the fish side. According to him, the rice absorbs too much soy sauce and can make the sushi fall apart.<\/p>\n

He also said ginger is meant to be eaten between pieces of sushi to cleanse your palate, not on top of the sushi itself.<\/p>\n

And finally, he told viewers not to feel forced to eat sushi with chopsticks. Using your hands is also normal.<\/p>\n

The advice seemed harmless enough, but not everyone took it that way.<\/p>\n

Mr. Tokyo later responded in a video that got over 706,500 views. At the start, he included a clip from \u201cBillions,\u201d where a character scolds people for putting ginger on sushi and drowning pieces in soy sauce. In the clip, the character argues that the sushi chef is an artist who spent a decade training, and that people should not ruin the work.<\/p>\n

For context, many sources report<\/a> that to become a sushi master or imitae, you\u2019d need around 10 years of training.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, I totally agree with him,\u201d Mr. Tokyo says after the clip.<\/p>\n

He says that after posting his first sushi video, he got comments from viewers saying things like, \u201cWe\u2019ll eat it however we want,\u201d and \u201cI paid, I\u2019ll eat it how I want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Tokyo says he understands that argument.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you are right,\u201d he says. \u201cYou pay for it. You can eat sushi however you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

He Says It\u2019s About Respecting The Craft<\/p>\n

According to Mr. Tokyo, though, the point is not really about enforcing rules on strangers.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut in Japan, there\u2019s something more deeper,\u201d he says. \u201cWe have a mindset of gratitude and respect for the chef and for craftsman.\u201d<\/p>\n

He says nobody is going to physically stop someone from eating sushi however they want. But for many Japanese people, showing respect for the person who made the food is part of the experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not a rule,\u201d he says. \u201cNo one will stop you. But for Japanese people, this respect is natural.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then he explains why he feels strongly about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome sushi chefs spent 10 years just learning how to make tamagoyaki,\u201d he says, referring to the Japanese rolled omelet often served at sushi restaurants.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecoming a sushi chef is not easy,\u201d he adds. \u201cThey put their soul into their work.\u201d<\/p>\n

He clarifies that he doesn\u2019t think the issue is that every tourist has to eat perfectly. It\u2019s also to experience the food for what it is.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you come to Japan, I hope you don\u2019t eat just sushi,\u201d he says. \u201cI hope you feel Japanese spirit behind it. That\u2019s all I want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Commenters Still Were Not Convinced<\/p>\n

In the comments, viewers didn\u2019t understand his point.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing pretentious is not a virtue,\u201d one person wrote.<\/p>\n

Another said they could respect the chef\u2019s work without giving up their own preferences.<\/p>\n

\u201cSushi Chef trained for 10 years, but I\u2019ve had my taste buds my entire life,\u201d they wrote. \u201cI respect the chef\u2019s efforts, but he should respect my free will.\u201d<\/p>\n

But others agreed with Mr. Tokyo, especially when it comes to traveling in another country.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an American, I absolutely agree,\u201d one commenter wrote. \u201cWhen going to another country you should respect their culture and traditions. I would never intentionally disrespect someone in their own home.\u201d<\/p>\n

That seems to be where the whole debate lands. Yes, you can technically eat sushi however you want. No one is arresting you for putting ginger on top.<\/p>\n

But if you are in Japan, especially at a serious sushi restaurant, the point may be less about doing whatever you paid for and more about understanding what the chef was trying to give you.<\/p>\n

BroBible has reached out to Mr. Tokyo via TikTok and Instagram for comment.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t