Mastering the art of using chopsticks is essential if you are planning on visiting any Asian restaurant (or if you eat sushi 3 times a week like I do). This set of utensils has been used since at least 1200 BC in China and by AD 500 they were being widely used around the rest of Asia. Early chopsticks were mainly used for cooking, making it possible to reach deep into boiling pots of oil or water. People did not start eating with the utensils until approximately AD 400. This came about because cooks started to chop food into smaller pieces in order to be more economical, as this approach demanded a lower amount of cooking fuel. It also meant that the meals that were produced ideal for the sort of grip you expect when using chopsticks – like tweezers. Since then, different cultures have adopted their own chopstick styles and this utensil is widely when enjoying Asian cuisine.
How to eat with chopsticks:
Whether you are eating dumplings, Peking duck or any other traditional Chinese dish, it is a good idea to know how to use chopsticks properly. You can put away your knife and folk and enjoy the true authentic experience of eating this type of cuisine. It’s definitely worth practicing at home before you go to a restaurant. You can get meal kits so you don’t need to prepare food yourself from scratch. Check out this Gobble review for a good example. So, where do you start? You should begin by picking up the first chopstick with your middle finger and thumb. This chopstick is not supposed to move, it is your anchor, so make sure you have a firm grip. After this, pick up the second chopstick and grip with your index finger and thumb. This chopstick is supposed to move. You should place your thumb over the side of it so that it rests above the first chopstick. To avoid crossing your utensils and being unable to pick up the food make sure the narrow tips are even with one and other. Practice opening and closing the chopsticks to ensure you feel comfortable and that they do not make an ‘X’. Once you have done this you are ready to start enjoying your food.
Chopstick Etiquette
When plate sharing you should a fresh pair of chopsticks to get food from the dishes. You should never use the utensils that you have had in your mouth. If you are not provided with a fresh pair, use the other end of your chopsticks to pick up the food and place it onto your own plate (although note this is considered faux pas in a Japanese restaurant).
You should lay your chopsticks to the side of your dish on the left when you are finished eating. Don’t cross them.
You should never pass food from chopstick to chopstick nor should you stick the utensils upright into your food. Both are funeral protocol and are viewed as bad table behavior. Don’t be afraid to really get in there. If you are eating rice you may need to pick the bowl up to prevent making a mess. There is nothing wrong with doing this.
