Don't Hog The Bar

Sushi Savvy - Mike Skurko



OK. There’s this general notion in Japan that “only foreigners” will camp out at the sushi bar. The Japanese approach, and possibly the polite and correct approach, is to get in at the sushi bar and eat your meal and get out. It sounds pretty simple, but again, I’ve seen more that a few blunders in this area myself.
Let’s start with a place I know of in Tokyo. This sushi-ya is very popular. What exactly does this mean? Yes, they take reservations.. By the half hour. Sure, they can set you up with two half hour time slots, but generally speaking you get in there for your half hour time slot, you eat your amazing sushi and you get out. Nothing personal, but that entire European notion of spending as long as you like over an espresso at the bar is right out the window here. Sure, there are places that would be more than happy to have you camp out at the bar and knock back bottles of high end sake all night. Usually the ones that are not that busy. Turnover equates profits…
Once again, let’s keep this one flexible. Be aware of your surroundings. If you are in a sushi-ya that is really packed and there is a line of people waiting for your seat? Then you do the right thing and try not to waste time lingering over tea at the end of your meal.
On a recent visit to Dai-wa Sushi in Tsukiji in Tokyo I wound up sitting next to a couple from San Francisco. As we ate and chatted they called for their check and smiled. “This is our first trip to Japan. They told us that only the foreigners linger at the bar.” I guess they got the memo. I wonder if they are the only ones or if “we” foreigners are finally starting to get it? No need to gulp your tea and choke on your final bites of ‘inari-zushi,’ but be considerate. Chances are good you will be waiting outside in the rain some day and will be happy to see an efficient crew at the bar and nary a one holding court over their fifth cup of tea.