Quote:
Originally Posted by undeadpoptart
I've heard that in Japanese resturants*, following tradition, when you're served soup you should just drink it from the bowl, even if a spoon is present. I've also heard if a spoon is provided you should just go ahead and use it. Which side should I listen to? Which option would be the most polite?
*By 'Japanese Resturants' I am referring to traditional Japanese-style resturants in America. At the moment, I have no oppertunity to visit Japan.  |
It depends upon the kind of soup and kind of bowl. Miso soup in small lacquer bowls the size of a cup are meant to be picked up. You usually eat any solid bits first with your chopsticks (mushrooms, for instance, are common in misoshiro), then you drink the broth.
A large bowl of ramen or soba usually comes with a spoon. You should eat the noodles and solid stuff with your chopsticks and use the spoon for most of the broth, only picking up the bowl near the end (if at all). You really don't want to pick up a full massive bowl of steaming hot ramen and drink from it... it's too hot, too unwieldy.