Chopsticks

Mastering Chopsticks

The easiest way to explain how to hold chopsticks is to hold almost like holding pencil... Well, it's not quit the same, obviously because you are holding two sticks, rather than one pencil. But if you can use a pencil, you can learn to use chopsticks.

First, rest one of the chopstick on the bottom on the thumb, at about 1 inch from the end (thick side) of the chopstick, and rest the middle of the chopstick on the side of ring finger at about 1/2 inch from the tip of the finger. This stick will remain stationary. Then hold the other chopstick with three fingers, thumb, pointing finger and the middle finger. This is the stick that moves to pick up food. Make sure the tip of both sticks meet.

Chopstick Rules

Do not hold the chopsticks when you are not eating. Rest them on a chopstick rest or a plate closest and directly in front of you, with the tips facing your left. Only rest the tip of the chopstick on to of chopstick rest or a plate, and the thick end should be on the table. You will do the same when you are done with the meal.

Do not drag a plate or bowl with your chopsticks.

Do not point with chopsticks or talk animatedly with chopsticks in your hand. Do not walk or run with chopsticks. (You'll be surprised to hear how many people are injured by chopsticks!)

Never leave chopsticks stuck vertically into your food, especially into a bowl of rice. (At funerals, Japanese present a bowl of rice with chopsticks standing in the middle at the altar.)

Never play food relay (passing food from chopsticks to chopsticks) with your chopsticks. Only at funerals are the bones of the cremated body passed from person to person.

Do not spear food with your chopsticks. (It is not a fork!)

In a "family style" meal, where a large plate of food is shared by multiple people, you use a pair serving chopsticks to take your portion. Service chopsticks are usually longer than normal chopsticks, but in some cases, same type chopsticks you have for your personal use may be assigned to each plate. If you have already used your
chopsticks, and there is no serving chopsticks, use the opposite end (usually the thick side) of your chopsticks in order to move food from a shared plate to your own plate.

When eating miso soup, you may be surprised to see people drinking the broth right out of the bowl! This is the right way to enjoy the miso soup. Use chopsticks to pick up the pieces of food (tofu, vegetables, seaweed, etc.) in the miso soup. To drink the broth, use both hands to hold the bowl and drink it right out of the bowl (just like sipping a cup of tea!)