What is a 丁寧 food?


When eating ramen, a Japanese person commented on how the ramen of this shop
are `丁寧`.

What does `丁寧` means in the context of food?

`丁寧` means `polite` in social contexts, but I am not sure it the same
kanji/word, and I know no concept of `polite food`.

Google has tons of results for
[丁寧な寿司](https://www.google.com/search?q=%E4%B8%81%E5%AF%A7%E3%81%AA%E5%AF%BF%E5%8F%B8)
or
[丁寧なラーメン](https://www.google.com/search?q=%E4%B8%81%E5%AF%A7%E3%81%AA%E3%83%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%B3),
so I am sure there is a precise meaning.  
See also [these 丁寧
breads](http://tabelog.com/hyogo/A2801/A280101/28027356/dtlrvwlst/3736367/).




丁寧 (ていねい ) is an "na-adjective/adverb" with two meanings, (1) polite (as you
know) and (2) careful or conscientous.

The second meaning can apply to the way something is made, prepared or
wrapped. I imagine your friend was referring to the way the ramen was made but
for food (in general) there could be situations when any one of those three
could apply.

However, these two meanings shouldn't be considered to be completely
unrelated. The following examples illustrate how when you are being polite,
you are paying close attention to details to make special consideration for
somebody, etc.

> **1\. Polite/courteous sense 〔礼儀正しいこと／丁重で親切なこと〕**
>
> 丁寧な口のきき方をする｜He has a polite manner of speaking.
>
> 彼は丁寧に名刺を受け取った｜He took my card courteously.
>
> 心のこもったものの言い方ではないが，少なくとも丁寧だ｜
>
> There is no warmth in his manner of speaking, but he is at least civil.
>
> 丁寧にさよならを言って出て行った｜Saying good-bye politely, he went out.
>
> **2 Careful, conscientious sense〔注意深い，念入りな〕**
>
> 人形を丁寧に紙に包んだ｜She carefully wrapped the doll in paper.
>
> 彼は丁寧に説明してくれた｜He gave me a detailed explanation of it.
>
> 彼は何事も丁寧にする｜He is conscientious in everything.

