Question
I’m planning a trip to Japan and I want to try eating at a sushi restaurant. However, I’m not sure how to ask for recommendations or if I should follow any particular dining customs. How can I ask the staff for their sushi recommendations in Japanese, and are there any dining etiquettes I should be aware of?
Japango Editor Team
おすすめの寿司（すし）を教（おし）えてください。
Osusume no sushi o oshiete kudasai.
Please tell me your sushi recommendations.
This is a useful phrase to use when seeking recommendations at a sushi restaurant. “Osusume” means “recommendation” and “oshiete kudasai” means “please tell me.” When you use this phrase, you’re asking the staff to recommend the best sushi choices they have.
As for dining etiquette, remember to refrain from rubbing chopsticks together as it implies they are cheap. Additionally, it’s polite to eat the pickled ginger (gari) in between different sushi types as a palate cleanser rather than putting it on top of the sushi. Always express gratitude with “arigatou gozaimasu” after your meal to show appreciation for the service and meal.
