This is a very specific question so I apologize if I'm overthinking or if this is wordy; but I've suffered from a few medical conditions my entire life that cause me to not be able to eat very much food in one sitting. I don't think I've ever finished a whole meal before. I've been watching YouTube vlogs about Japan for nearly 10 years and a reoccurring theme I see is that in Japan it's very shamed upon to not finish meals. Is this entirely true? Obviously wasting food around the world isn't exactly praised but is this just fear mongering? Is there anything I should know regarding this topic before visiting Japan for the first time next month?
Again, apologies if this is a bizarre question.
by TurboMayonnaise
36 comments
You’ll be fine. There’s no reason to force yourself to finish every last bite in place and making yourself sick. Only time I’d personally worry about that is if I was visiting someone’s home and they made me something, but doubt that’s gonna be a situation you’ll find yourself in.
Also, careful with basing everything off stuff like vlogs and tiktok or instagram and stuff. That goes for food recommendations too massively, not to mention stuff like “10 things you absolutely shouldn’t do!” lists and a bunch of other stuff. There are good channels out there, but so many of them are just looking for views and clicks.
Totally fine. Not sure why YouTubers would imply anything else.
You have medical complications, so don’t force yourself.
Some places do offer ‘very small’ size, you can keep an eye out for that sizing option.
No. If you do this legally they can cut your balls off.
A lot of these videos about Japan have this way of painting the country as a place of pomp and circumstance where you have to abide by 100 different rules super carefully, lest you stand out as a boorish tourist. It’s a 21st century way of over-exoticizing Japan as this mysterious country of.. propriety, tradition, honor, and rules!!
The reality is that most of these rules are exaggerated. I believe this stems as a bit of overcorrection too, since there have been high profile cases of people acting very rudely. Hence the pendulum swinging the other way, and creators on social media are emphasizing not being like that. Good intentions there of course, but in reality *most* tourists are going to be fine if they just act like the reasonable people that they already are.
You’re gonna be fine OP
As long as you’re not over ordering egregiously, I don’t see this being a problem.
I’m Japanese it’s absolutely ok not to finish food. Please don’t believe what YouTubers say. A lot of time they are wrong.
I don’t know where you are from but if you are from the states, the food you get in Japan is so much less so you may be able to finish it.
I hope you enjoy Japan!
It’s fine. I can’t eat a lot and told servers I couldn’t finish and there were no problems.
In my experience Japan has smaller portion sizes, so who knows, you might be able to finish the meal lol. But I wouldn’t worry unless it was a home cooked meal. There’s things even Japanese people tend not to finish like ramen broth or rice
You’re not going to get in trouble or anything, but contrary to what other commenters are saying it is considered bad manners to not finish your food. They’ll just chalk it up to “foreigner behavior” but it is technically impolite. I work in kindergartens and Japanese children are taught from a young age to finish everything. A Japanese ex boyfriend of mine got upset with me when I left food behind at a restaurant. It’s not just YouTube BS, though there is plenty of that going around.
In a place where you’re paying, the main thing they’ll be concerned about is that you pay for the food. One nice thing that someone else mentioned is Japan has a more diverse range of portion sizes. It’s easier to get a small amount of food there. Maybe not in a ramen place where the standard size is a pretty big bowl, but in many places, you can order small plates of stuff. Almost like tapas.
Even family restaurant places like Jonathan’s and Saizeriya are kind of like this, but it feels all kinds of wrong to call their food “tapas” haha.
Is there a country where this is an issue?
You could place a paper napkin over the leftover portion and walk out with your head held high. I sometimes struggle to finish or there may be components I do not enjoy after first taste and it has never been an issue.
You can’t waste food in all-you-can-eat type of restaurants. You need to carefully take as much as you can eat. It’s not only the moral thing, but also they might charge you an extra fee if you have food on the dish when you leave. Sometimes locals also do, though.
In the regular restaurants, as you can’t control the amount and you pay what you get, leftovers are no problem. Also, some corporate-owned restaurants don’t allow taking leftovers back for the avoidance of responsibility for food poisoning.
Even Obama didn’t eat all at Sukiyabashi Jiro.
It’s mildly (VERY MILDLY) frowned upon to leave a lot of food, mainly because wasting food is discouraged in Japan. But it’s not a big deal and no one will confront you.
The bigger etiquette point is to avoid over-ordering. If you order a normal portion and can’t finish it, that’s completely fine especially as a visitor. If you order enough for 2 people and eat less than 1 person’s worth, then yeah that would make staff a little less happy I suppose.
Again, you’re a visitor, so I wouldn’t worry about it. They’ll never see you again and culturally it’s highly unlikely anyone will say anything or confront you.
Tbh I always thought this was more aimed at Chinese tourists because in China, it’s very customary to order a LOT of food and then share it. A lot of it often goes to waste.
But now that I think about it, it’s probably common for tourists from anywhere to order too much food while traveling because they want to try a bit of everything. I think it’s this sort of behavior that they don’t like.
You will see some signs in English saying not to order more than you can eat. But again, I think that this is more directed at the above, so likely nobody will care about your case in particular.
We went to a ramen restaurant, ordered Ramen and Gyoza set and then a side of Fried Rice.
Couldn’t eat the fried rice.
The restaurant offers takeout, so they have the containers.
Well us asking for it to be packaged had to go up the chain of command in the restaurant. I’m like throw it in a container, drop it into a bag and I’m out of there. It took a good 5 mins to pick the plate off my table, and a good 5-8 mins for it to return to me.
I feel like it was an issue because they wanted to package it to be hot for me to eat in a little bit, like one of the meals you take onto a Shinkansen.
When we went to Korea, holy bleep they give you a lot of food… We went into a restaurant and see on the menu the meal for 4 (we were 4), the waitress was like Nope I’m not even going to let you order that, too much food. We had already ordered too much, oh you are all the kimchi, here’s another big plate.
Maybe be prepared to pay a surcharge if you leave a copious amount of food and that you can never eat there again.
Totally fine as everyone else mentioned. What is generally not done is getting leftovers doggy-bagged. It’s for food safety reasons since partially eaten food means it’s been contaminated and Japan has high standards for hygiene and cleanliness.
If the concern is portion size if the entire meal, you can always order less and then add more to your meal as you eat. It’s very common practice. Though my preference is to order less so I have room for more snacks between meals. LOL
A few random tips that could help:
– most places with set meals will also offer each item in the set a la carte, so you can do that to create smaller sets for yourself.
– at sushi joints, you can request small “shari” (the rice blob in nigiri). Serves to reduce portion size and better taste the yummy topping.
– you can usually ask for less of the main carb when ordering, usually rice or noodles. Some places will give you a slight discount for the smaller portion. Customization options are pretty sparse, but almost no place will refuse if you want to downsize.
– you might enjoy eating at izakayas, Japanese pubs. It’s usually a huge menu of small share plates. You don’t even need to drink alcohol. Totally okay to order a non-alcoholic beverage (tea or soft drink), get a couple of tiny plates and enjoy the atmosphere.
– you might also enjoy shokudo places like Maido Ookini (link to their 24hr Shinjuku store below). Set meals, but the whole thing is cafeteria-style where you can mix and match your own set right down to if you even want miso soup with it. These are also great if you’re in a group with different dietary restrictions/picky eaters.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/V8Z4Lnib2mtqdmHq8
Things to watch out for:
– it’s usually expected that each person orders an item rather than multiple people sharing fewer things “just to have a taste”. This is especially for specialty spots in touristy spots. If you’re with a companion, you can each order an item and share between you though, so if there’s a big eater in your group, ask for an extra bowl and give them your excess.
– if you’re an extreme light eater, snacking as you go might be enough, but walking and eating is considered very improper. Standing and eating beside where you got the food is fine, or you can find a nearby park to sit and eat.
– Some convenience stores have a sitting area where you can sit and eat what you buy. No outside food/drinks, even if it’s from another branch of the same convenience store.
There are a TON of food options everywhere you go. Since this seems like a major concern for you, I’d suggest checking out menus at restaurants in advance to check the portion sizes and make sure there’s something suitable for you. Places that have the wax food displays out front are great for visualizing portion sizes.
Generally, portion sizes in Japan are pretty small compared to the west. You don’t state where you’re from, but if you’re from the US, some Japanese meal portions would be like a small side in the US. LOL
You’re overthinking it.
these reports are exaggerated. you will be fine.
just dont order food for 5 people when you are alone.
At times, there will be portion sizes to pick from. Many times its less rice or less noodle. I’ve learned to always go with the smallest portion.
Why?
Because there is too much good food to want to try throughout the day/night/afternoon/kombini haul/after drinking snack etc…..
So in case you see that when you order, and often times its the same price… get the small option.
How do people like you even function in the real world?
im so happy you asked this. im visiting in may and i have complications with swallowing food. i went to a very high end omakase in nyc and the chef was so mean to me it felt cruel. this post has been a huge relief
It is considered rude and wasteful. “Mottainai”. I often ask for half a rice. I’m sure you can ask for smaller dishes too. Sushi is great bc you can just eat until you’re full(Order 1 dish at a time). Izakaya food too is many small dishes to be shared with the rest of the table. I like to eat among people who can eat a lot. Food is shared in Japan so you can ask a friend to finish it for you. If you have a condition, carry a car that explains it in Japanese and ask for smaller dishes to be served. Don’t expect them to reduce the cost though. Also try to order a drink whoever you go. It adds to the bill and that’s the point. Some places have 1 drink minimum rule but it’s good manners to order a drink.
I got caught leaving a restaurant with food still on my plate, now I’m being deported.
But seriously, it’s your food, do what you want. If people want to get upset about it, that’s a them problem.
You’re overthinking it.
Obviously don’t order enough food for 5 people, take two bites and leave.
Restaurants aren’t your parents. They won’t make you finish everything on your plate.
Depending on the restaurant, chain restaurant always have portions size, fine restaurants probably you should be allowed to tell them in advance or order kids size, i would not worry about it. Anyway remember that japanese serving size is small.
In some restaurants, you can actually order lesser portions of meat and rice. If it isn’t explicitly stated on the menu, you can always tell the waiter ” small raisu, kudasai” (small rice, please). They’ll gladly do it if it means it won’t go to waste
It’s okay, I guess. I once went to a ramen shop while I had a fever, hoping the heat would help, but the broth was so salty I couldn’t handle it. I finished the meat but left the majority of the bowl behind. I thanked the staff on my way out, they were perfectly polite, and that was that. Don’t overthink it.
Don’t over order at all you can eat places and you’ll be fine. Leftovers to-go isn’t really a thing in Japan but some places might be able to make something work if you ask (ie giving you some tinfoil or something)
What could possibly happen?
First of all, as considerate as you’re being — I think this is one instance where you should prioritise your health and fuck what ‘looks good’. If you’re unable to finish a meal, then you’re unable to finish it. And that’s that. And guaranteed — there are people in Japan in a similar situation, who are just are not able to finish meals.
If it helps put your mind at ease — food portions in Japan are really modest. I’m never full after meals in Japan, so I always end up grabbing things from Konbini’s. So you may find yourself finishing more meals that you’re used to. And frequently you’ll find that to make a full meal, you’ll have to pick multiple small dishes / options. So, you can always control your own portions and meal sizes to a degree.
You’re going to be absolutely fine. And the whole ‘YOU MUST FINISH YOUR MEALS’ rhetoric in regard to Japan is one of many ‘social rules’ of the country which is sensationalised. Especially given that finishing your food is considered ‘good manners’ in every country. But people accept and are privy to the fact that not everybody will be able to finish every meal for a myriad of reasons. And in restaurants / public eating places — nobody REALLY cares.
You’ll be fine.
I’m Korean and at home you’re supposed to leave a single bite left on your plate to discourage (unsuccessfully) anyone from forcing more food on you 😆
You’re not Japanese. They’re not going to hold you to the same rigorous social standards. They’ll be delighted if you try to be sensitive, but no one will say a word to you about any faux pas.
At worst they’ll talk about you after you leave.
No. Straight to jail. The police are waiting outside.
Jk.
I have a small stomach and have actually been able to finish most of the meals I’ve ordered, but If you can’t finish, don’t sweat it.
The comments summarized it well, just be careful about some unlimited yakinikus or places like that. I’ve seen a couple that charge you if you order too much meat (probably since they need to toss it after taking it to your table, even if you don’t cook it).
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