This sauce is served at the begining of every dish unless otherwise asked to disregaurd the rice and sauce .They serve it in small dishes for you to use the way you wish but most if not all use it for the first dish that is the rice.They also serve a ginger sauce at the same time.Always at the beginning of the meal .As a matter of fact the last time I went to Showguns Japanese in North Carolina they also served the salad with this shrimp sauce on top.That's all I have to go on I hope you can help .Thank you for your interest.