Culinary perfection is what most people expect and enjoy in a Japanese restaurant, combine it with impeccable service through enthusiastic greetings and attentive waiters/waitresses to customers’ needs will make an enjoyable dining experience, this is what Fumizen offers to its customers. Located at the heart of Siem Reap, The Aviary Hotel is where Fumizen Japanese Restaurant could be found.

Aviary Hotel has recently re-opened, and as a welcome gesture, a special discount awaits customers upon booking for a night for only US $61 (room only) or US $69 with free breakfast for 2, plus free 1 beverage at Flock Café, or free 1 dinner at Fumizen for 2 nights stay. For both staying and walk-in guests, the hotel is offering free 1 drink for every purchase from Aviary Square or buying food or drink from Flock Café.

Also, avail of the “Buy 1 Meal Set, Get 1 Free Sushi Roll at Fumizen”. This is a way of showing gratitude to customers for their loyalty and support to Aviary Hotel and Fumizen for the month of August.

When dining in a Japanese restaurant such as Fumizen, or a Japanese home, following simple etiquette rules demonstrate good manners and respect towards the hosts. Although most Japanese people will understand the table manners of guests from other countries for not understanding their customs and beliefs, it is always a welcome gesture in showing these dining etiquettes.

Sitting: Typically, the Japanese eat at low dining tables and sit on a cushion placed on a reed-like mat floor. In formal situations both men and women kneel, while in casual situations the men sit cross-legged, and women sit with both legs to one side.

Honour: The most important person at each meal sits on the seat of honour. It is placed farthest from the entrance to the room where the meal is held. If there is a built-in recessed space in the room, guests sit in front of it. The host sits at the middle of the table on one side.

Towels: In restaurants and bars a hot steamed towel is offered so you can clean your hands, but not your face. At home it’s expected to wash hands before starting a meal.

Gratitude: A meal begins once the main guest, family member or waitress makes a gesture to start eating. This usually comes in the form of gratitude by saying “I gratefully receive”. To finish the meal, one might say “thank you for the meal”.

Chopsticks: Never leave chopsticks standing vertically in the food bowl, as this resembles a funeral offering. Refrain eating directly from a communal dish and do not hover chopsticks when deciding on what to eat next. When not in use, place chopsticks on its stand, this include having a chat. Never point your chopsticks when talking, and never use them to pass food to someone else chopsticks.

Handling: When eating from small bowls, it’s good manners to pick up the bowl with your hand and lead it close to your mouth when eating from it. Never cup your hand to catch falling food, as this is considered bad manners. Ideally, food should always be eaten in one bite, so try not to bite food into smaller bits.  Food should not be raised above your mouth.

Drinking: Do not start drinking until everybody at the table has a drink and the glasses are raised for a drinking salute, usually saying cheers. When holding a glass, women should put their hand underneath it. Men should also do this as a sign of respect when talking to a person superior to them. When drinking alcoholic beverages, it is customary to serve each other rather than pour your own drink.

Soup: Eat soup using chopsticks, it’s fine to slurp it, as most Japanese believe inhaling air when eating noodles enhances the taste. When consuming miso soup, drink the soup as if it were a cup, and then fish out the solid bits using chopsticks.

Pouring: If pouring a drink, the hand holding the bottle should always pour forward. Pouring backwards is considered an insult.