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This article was written by Yoko Isassi and by How.com.vn staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Yoko Isassi is a Japanese Food Specialist and the Founder of Foodstory in Los Angeles, California. Since 2011, she has taught others how to cook Japanese food and educated others about Japanese food culture. Yoko holds an MA from Columbia University.
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This article has been viewed 2,324,058 times.
Chopsticks are the go-to utensil for much of the world, and in many restaurants, you might not have other options. Once you learn to wrangle ‘em, though, you’ll see that they’re a sensible and surprisingly agile way to get food from point A (the plate) to point B (your mouth). Allow us to open new culinary doors as we teach you to hold and use chopsticks, how to approach certain dishes with them, and how to follow proper dining etiquette as you chow down.
This article is based on an interview with our Japanese food specialist, Yoko Isassi, founder of Foodstory. Check out the full interview here.
Things You Should Know
- Rest one chopstick in the spot where your index finger and thumb connect at the base of your hand, supporting the center of the chopstick with your ring finger.
- Hold the other chopstick like a pen, supporting the back with your middle finger, the top with your index finger, and placing your thumb on the front side.
- Pinch your food gently but firmly with the chopsticks. Practice picking up peanuts or popcorn with the very tips to get a feel for them.
Steps
Place the first chopstick where your index finger and thumb connect. Rest the thicker end of the chopstick in the crease between your thumb and pointer finger, where those fingers connect toward the base of your hand.[1] Support the chopstick with the end of your ring finger.[2] This is your “anchor” chopstick, and won’t move when you pick up food.- If it’s more comfortable, support the chopstick with your middle finger, rather than your ring finger. Remember, there are many ways to hold chopsticks, and no single way is the “right” way!
- Start by using wooden chopsticks or bamboo chopsticks, since the material is easier to grip than plastic or metal chopsticks.
Grip the second chopstick with your middle, index finger, and thumb. Hold the second chopstick in much the same way you hold a pencil. Use your thumb to press the chopstick against the second knuckle of your pointer finger. Use the top knuckle of your pointer finger to support the chopstick from below.[3] Hold the chopstick toward the back end of it. This second chopstick is the one that moves.[4]- Use your other hand to make sure the chopsticks are level with each other, or tap them downward on the table to even them out, which makes them easier to use and prevents accidental crossing when picking something up.
- If you’re having trouble holding both chopsticks at the same time, train with a set of connected starter chopsticks to help you get situated.
Advertisement- Move the top chopstick up and down with your index and middle fingers. Use your index finger to “pinch” the chopstick, and use your middle finger to “push” it back open. Practice opening and closing the chopsticks like this until you get a feel for it.[5] As you do, try to keep your thumb stationary—it’s just there for support, not movement. Practice your moves by repeatedly touching both tips of the chopsticks together. This helps improve your accuracy and gives you a feel for the motion.[6]
- If it helps, move your hand up and down the chopstick, experimenting with levels of grip. Some find it easier to maneuver closer to the base, others further up.
- Experiment with different grips. If it’s more comfortable, use only the tip of your ring finger to support the bottom stick, or use only your thumb and pointer to hold the top chopstick. Whichever way works is the right way!
- Pick up food at a 45° angle. There’s no “correct” angle, but going at your food with your chopsticks close to parallel with the table helps grip your food and transport it safely to your plate—or your mouth! Go ahead and pinch that tasty bite securely but gently.[7] Once you have it steady, lift 'er up. If it feels unstable, put it down and try again.
- If you’re nervous about dropping your food, transport it with your free hand cupped beneath it. Better to catch it in your hand in case of a fall than let it drop to the floor.
- Practice picking up individual peanuts or popped popcorn kernels to improve your dexterity.
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- Lift a bowl of rice closer to your mouth when eating. If a bowl of rice is placed in front of you and all you have are 2 small bamboo rods, you may feel like you're up a creek without a paddle. But it's perfectly acceptable (and normal, even) to lift the bowl of rice close to your mouth and work from there when eating rice with chopsticks. You won't look foolish, you'll look seasoned![8]
- If you’re in Korea, though, look for a spoon, which is the socially acceptable way of eating rice in that region. And even in Japan, a spoon makes a smart alternative if you’re losing your chopstick battle with the rice.
- 2Hold your chopsticks horizontally to grip noodles. When eating noodles with chopsticks, dip your chopsticks into the dish, then lift the noodles with the chopsticks parallel to the table, as though the noodles are clothes on a line. Then, don’t hesitate to slurp away! A fork might let you wrap noodles up into a single bite, but with chopsticks, it’s more about getting the noodles up to your mouth, then letting your mouth do the rest of the work.[9]
- In many Asian countries, slurping is a way to express your enjoyment of the meal, like saying, “Compliments to the chef!”
- 3Use your hands for most sushi. At an upscale or traditional sushi joint, your hands are the go-to utensil.[10] That said, it varies by sushi type. For rolls or nigiri (rice topped with fish), use your hands, since these tend to fall apart when gripped with chopsticks, which makes for an unhappy sushi chef. But for sashimi, or slices of fish, opt for the chops to keep your hands free of fishy smells.[11]
- Also, eat most sushi in one clean bite, unless the sushi is too large to do so. In that case, dispatch that sushi in as few bites as possible.
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- Pick up shared food with the thicker end of your chopsticks. Often at Asian dining tables (whether at home or at a restaurant), plates of food are shared among the diners. But don’t just dive in with the ends of the chopsticks that you’ve already put in your mouth. Turn them around and pick up communal food with the unused ends and place the food on your plate. Then turn your chopsticks around again and eat as usual.[12]
- Or, use a public pair of serving chopsticks. These are usually found near their respective plates.
- Unlike a fork or a spoon, avoid inserting more than the ends past your lips, and definitely don’t lick food off of them.
- Place your chopsticks on a chopstick rest when not eating. Lay your chopsticks horizontally in front of your plate or bowl to avoid pointing them at other diners. Avoid placing them directly on the table, which might get the table a bit messy. If there’s no chopstick rest, place your chopsticks across the ridges of your plate or bowl, or rest them on a napkin or a wrapper. Also follow these common chopstick courtesies:[13]
- When opening or separating new chopsticks, do so under the table and parallel to the floor.
- Avoid spearing your food with the ends of your chopsticks. It might be tempting to get a grip on that slippery bit of fish, but it’s generally seen as impolite.
- Avoid pointing at people with your chopsticks. You wouldn’t jab your fork or knife at someone, would you?
- 3Avoid passing food from chopstick to chopstick and other social taboos. Transferring food between chopsticks resembles a certain Japanese funeral ritual, and so it’s generally not a welcome sight at the dinner table. In addition, avoid crossing your chopsticks into the shape of an “X” when you set them down, which is a common signifier of death.[14]
- Also, avoid leaving your chopsticks upright in bowls of rice or other food, since this resembles upright incense and recalls somber funeral settings.
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Chopstick Cheat Sheet
Expert Q&A
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- QuestionIs it okay if I don't hold them right? Am I going to offend guests?
Thuong TanThuong Tan is a Noodle Expert and the Founder of Noodelist, a food startup producing plant-based instant noodles. Thuong holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Marketing from Haaga-Helia, University of Applied Sciences, and an MBA in Luxury Brand Management from IFA Paris, Polimoda/Shanghai University. Noodelist’s mission is to produce premium plant-based moroheiya noodles that are nutrient-dense, texturally pleasing, and environmentally friendly.
Noodle ExpertNo, I really wouldn't worry about that. I hold my chopsticks a little funny too, and I've been eating noodles for years! - QuestionShould I ask for a fork if I'm a little embarrassed about messing up with chopsticks?Thuong TanThuong Tan is a Noodle Expert and the Founder of Noodelist, a food startup producing plant-based instant noodles. Thuong holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Marketing from Haaga-Helia, University of Applied Sciences, and an MBA in Luxury Brand Management from IFA Paris, Polimoda/Shanghai University. Noodelist’s mission is to produce premium plant-based moroheiya noodles that are nutrient-dense, texturally pleasing, and environmentally friendly.
Noodle ExpertYou can! If chopsticks are going to keep you from enjoying your food, then just ask for a fork. There's nothing wrong with that. But honestly, I'd say you should just go for it with the chopsticks. Don't be nervous. Nobody is going to expect you to be a chopstick pro if you didn't grow up with them! - QuestionHow do you eat with chopsticks if you're a total beginner?Thuong TanThuong Tan is a Noodle Expert and the Founder of Noodelist, a food startup producing plant-based instant noodles. Thuong holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Marketing from Haaga-Helia, University of Applied Sciences, and an MBA in Luxury Brand Management from IFA Paris, Polimoda/Shanghai University. Noodelist’s mission is to produce premium plant-based moroheiya noodles that are nutrient-dense, texturally pleasing, and environmentally friendly.
Noodle ExpertDepending on where you are, you can take a small bit of paper and a rubber band to create a kind of joint. These are typically given to kids, but they're great if you're brand new to chopsticks. They really let you get a feel for them in your hand.
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Tips
- Also, avoid rubbing the chopsticks together, unless they’re particularly splintered. This might be interpreted as disrespect, or a way of saying that a restaurant isn’t upscale enough for good chopsticks.[15]Thanks
- While it may seem easier at first to hold the chopsticks near their tips, holding them further back means that they are closer to parallel, which helps to scoop food (like rice) from below. You'll also be able to pick up larger pieces of food.Thanks
- If you're given disposable chopsticks at a restaurant, consider taking them home with you to practice more there.Thanks
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References
- ↑ Yoko Isassi. Japanese Food Specialist. Expert Interview. 30 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLtePBrZzXg&t=73s
- ↑ https://kokoro-jp.com/culture/1699/
- ↑ Yoko Isassi. Japanese Food Specialist. Expert Interview. 30 August 2021.
- ↑ https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/basic-chopstick-etiquette-how-to-use-chopsticks-in-formal-situations/
- ↑ Yoko Isassi. Japanese Food Specialist. Expert Interview. 30 August 2021.
- ↑ https://foodandnutrition.org/from-the-magazine/chopsticks/
- ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/how-to-eat-korean-food
- ↑ Thuong Tan. Noodle Expert. Expert Interview. 28 January 2021.
- ↑ https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/how-to-use-chopsticks-like-a-tokyoite
- ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/columns/the-foodist/article/sushi-etiquette-101
- ↑ https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/how-to-use-chopsticks-like-a-tokyoite
- ↑ https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/how-to-use-chopsticks-like-a-tokyoite
- ↑ https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/how-to-use-chopsticks-like-a-tokyoite
- ↑ https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/how-to-use-chopsticks-like-a-tokyoite
About This Article
Japanese Food Specialist
This article was written by Yoko Isassi and by How.com.vn staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Yoko Isassi is a Japanese Food Specialist and the Founder of Foodstory in Los Angeles, California. Since 2011, she has taught others how to cook Japanese food and educated others about Japanese food culture. Yoko holds an MA from Columbia University. This article has been viewed 2,324,058 times.
Co-authors: 130
Updated: June 16, 2023
Views: 2,324,058
Categories: Dining Etiquette
Article SummaryX
To eat with chopsticks, first place one chopstick between your dominant index finger and your thumb. Curl your ring finger and rest the middle of the chopstick on top to balance it. Then, place the second chopstick above the first chopstick, in between your index finger and thumb. Rest the upper chopstick on top of your middle finger, and use your thumb and middle finger to grip it tighter than the lower chopstick. To pick up food with the chopsticks, use your middle and index fingers to move the upper chopstick around the food. Apply pressure with your index finger on top of the upper chopstick to grip the food so you can lift it off of your plate. Keep reading if you want to learn proper chopstick etiquette!
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Reader Success Stories
"Without detouring from your instruction - not even once in an attempt to see if there was another way to use them - I found myself using chopsticks. I have embarrassed myself on many occasions and in many social situations; this led to my feeling stupid,awkward and angry. Your instructions have put this to bed for me now. I am genuinely grateful for the confidence you have given me, which has inspired me to upgrade my current chopsticks. Thank you so much."..." more
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