Eating a particular dish the proper way enhances the experience and shows appreciation to chefs who prepare them.

One eats wings with their hands; slurping soup shows how much a diner enjoys the dish.

In Japanese cuisine where sushi reigns supreme, there are dos and don’ts as to how to enjoy this delicacy the best possible way.

Watami Grill and Sushi Bar gives a lowdown on how to be sushi-savvy and other tidbits that can make your Japanese dining experience pleasurable.

Traditionally, the proper way to eat a sushi is by picking up a piece with your thumb and middle finger. Unlike the sashimi which is eaten using chopsticks, sushi is usually eaten by hand so as not to ruin the form and offend the chef who handcrafted it. It is, however, generally accepted nowadays to use chopsticks when eating sushi. Apply a hint of soy sauce, fish-down. Remember, the rice and soy should not touch. When eating it, the sushi should also be upside-down, with the fish (and not the rice) touching your tongue so you get the full flavor and freshness of the fish. Sushi should also be eaten in one bite. To cut it in half is considered rude to the chef who painstakingly made it for you.

Mixing wasabi with soy sauce is a no-no. Instead, take your chopsticks and put the smallest amount needed on top of the fish. Adding too much wasabi would only hide the natural taste of the food.

To determine if the sushi is fresh, always be mindful of the smell, taste, and texture. The flesh of the fish should be shiny and translucent and not dull-looking, moldy, or slimy and should be reddish-pink in color. The rice should be white and the nori, crispy. Check the texture when you pick it up with your hands. It should get back to shape when you pinch or poke it. And does it have to smell like the ocean? No, it’s supposed to be odorless. Watami has a good reputation of serving a variety of sushi and sashimi that are delicately handcrafted and served fresh upon order. Try their Angel Roll, Ebi Salmon Roll, California Maki and Super Deluxe Sushi.

But Japanese cuisine is more than sushi, there are other dishes that just as flavorful. Watami has a few tips on how to be a discerning diner:

• When dining in a Japanese restaurant, look for one with a seasoned Japanese chef or kitchen staff. Also, it is important to check if there are Japanese expats dining in the restaurant to know that it serves dishes with the same quality as they do in Japan. In the Philippines, Watami has a Japanese chef-consultant and is frequented by Japanese guests for its delicious food.

• There are three elements visible in every dish served: balance, seasonality, and empty space. A dish is considered well-arranged if it feels “peaceful” to look at. Plates are rarely fully covered—30% is considered the minimum amount of space to leave empty. This concept of minimalism is called ma and is the “space between things” that is teeming with possibilities.

• Finally, a good Japanese restaurant should have an extensive menu. Aside from fresh sashimi, sushi and tempura, it should include other quintessential Japanese dishes such as ramen, pork and chicken katsu, aburi and yakitori. It should serve tea, sake and Souchu plus fruits, light cookies (or manju) or matcha-based goodies as desserts. Watami serves well-loved Japanese dishes from sushi, sashimi, sukiyaki, hot pots, ramen, to assorted salmon, seafood fare, salads, pork and beef stone pot dishes, ramen, aburi and katsu at affordable prices. And like in Japan, guests are given the utmost in customer care to ensure that each visit is a delightful one.

Watami branches are located at SM Mall of Asia, Shangri-La Plaza, Uptown BGC and Greenbelt 2. Check out and follow FB and IG: WatamiPH

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