Is it rude to request/eat lemon with my sashimi instead of soy sauce?

Question

Is it rude to request/eat lemon with my sashimi instead of soy sauce?

Answer 1

While soya sauce is traditional, it or the wheat based tamari sauce, in Japan they make a mix of soya sauce and a citrus fruit called Yuzu, it looks like a small yellow orange, and has a flavouring like orange, lemon and rice vinegar mixed, I worked in Japan at a Canadian owned hotel in the 1980's, and in some regions of Japan, this mix is more common than just plain soya sauce, and in Japan, they do not mix the wasabi with the soya, that is a no-no, lemon is fine, lime to, I like extra spicy things so even Tabasco is not frowned upon.

Answer 2

In the food service industry, the customer is ALWAYS right. Ask for what you want. Read this:

http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/one-hundred-things-restaurant-staffers-should-never-do-part-one/



EDIT: @ happy dog: It doesn't matter WHERE you are; YOU are the customer; YOU get what you want. Watch the Food Network for a while. I think the show is called 'Restaurant Stakeout'

Answer 3

If you're having sashimi at a friend's home, it could be considered rude because your host may not have fresh lemon on hand..



In a restaurant, however, you're not a guest. You're a paying customer and as such you may specify how you want your food prepared and what condiments and sauces you want with it.