It’s actually more complicated than that. Sushi originated as finger food- and there is actually etiquette on what types of sushi are to be eaten which way etc. But speaking of Japanese food etiquette- did you know it’s rude NOT to slurp your noodles? Do you observe all Japanese etiquette when eating Japanese? Do you greet and address your server properly and with correct honorifics? On that subject... is your server even Japanese? Is the food even Japanese? Surely you are aware certain “Japanese” dishes are either complete inventions for western pallets or modifications or versions of the actual dish?
You may also not be aware that the Japanese don’t always prepare, serve, or eat American dishes using American etiquette and techniques? The subject of finger foods and etiquette is complex. However- uncooked foods or cold dishes which aren’t so large or ungainly as to demand they be cut first or so small to make utensils prudent; which are able to be kept intact in the hand and not readily malleable, are generally acceptable as finger foods.
Not a “hard rule-“ you see- some places have complex manners for which hands, even fingers may touch what foods, how foods should be held in the hand, etc. regionally foods may be eaten differently as well. In the Us in the north- eating meat off the bone is classically a taboo, but in a classic southern setting, something like a pork chop can be eaten right off the bone amongst high society. If a “host” is eating their food a certain way- it’s generally rude to do otherwise- so if your “host” were using their chop sticks- you generally should as well, but not always. Etiquette can get complex and vary by region and culture. In the end though there’s no clear reason that bars one from being able to eat sushi with their fingers and still maintain manners. In a formal setting however a safe rule is that if it makes NAY sense to use a utensil one should avoid using their hands.
That’s actually funny to me because I’ve NEVER seen a sushi roll in person that came as anything other than single nigiri or sashimi. I don’t doubt it exists- it just seems to be a common thing that I’ve never encountered.
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