Dining etiquette in Korea, Japan and China - How similar and how different are they?

Dining etiquette in Korea, Japan and China

Dining customs vary across cultures, influencing not just what we eat but also how we eat. Let’s take a look at how Korean, Japanese and Chinese dining etiquette differs!

Chopsticks and spoons: different styles, different customs

Korean chopsticks are long, flat and made of metal. They are always used with a metal spoon, or sujeo. Unlike in Japan and China, a spoon is always used for rice and soup in Korea, while chopsticks are mainly for side dishes. Japanese chopsticks are shorter, wooden or bamboo, with a thin pointed tip designed for delicately handling food like sushi. Spoons are rarely used – most soups are sipped directly from the bowl, and solid ingredients are picked up with chopsticks. Chinese chopsticks are longer with blunt or rounded tips, ideal for picking up food from large shared dishes. Spoons, often ceramic or plastic, are commonly used for soups and some saucy dishes.

A shared rule across all three cultures: never leave chopsticks sticking upright in a bowl of rice! This resembles a funeral ritual and is considered bad luck.

Shared plates vs. individual servings

How food is served also differs between countries:

• Korean meals come with multiple side dishes (banchan) shared among everyone at the table. All dishes are served at once, and it’s polite to use communal utensils or the back of your chopsticks when taking food for others.

  
  

• Japanese dining usually consists of individual servings, with rice, soup and side dishes arranged separately. In more formal settings, rice is often served last rather than at the start.

  
  

• Chinese meals are often communal-style, with dishes placed in the middle for easy sharing.

Table manners: respect and tradition

Each country follows its own dining etiquette, especially when it comes to showing respect at the table: In Korea, younger people should wait for elders to start eating first and use both hands when pouring drinks for someone older. When drinking alcohol with elders, it’s polite to turn slightly away. In Japan, meals are quieter, and slurping noodles is encouraged as a sign of appreciation. Talking loudly at the table isn’t common. In China, meals are lively and social, and loud conversations are completely acceptable. Leaving a small amount of food on your plate can signal that the host provided more than enough.

Understanding the nuances of East Asian dining customs helps us connect with these cultures in a more meaningful way. At Numaru, we celebrate these traditions while adding our own creative twist – because great food is about both history and innovation!

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