:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-hold-chopsticks-GettyImages-1311747140-fe011062dad247e8926c216604580a82.jpg "How to hold chopsticks correctly")
Project overview
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Total time:
2 minutes
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Skill level:
beginner
Chopsticks are among the oldest eating utensils in the world and have been used for eating for thousands of years. In Asia and at Asian tables across the global diaspora, chopsticks are an essential culinary tool and a basic eating tool in about a quarter of the world.
However, if you’ve never eaten with chopsticks before or haven’t properly learned how to eat with them, they can seem intimidating. But don’t worry – once you get the hang of it, eating with chopsticks is easy.
As with any skill, it may take a few tries to master the chopsticks, so be patient. “Start slowly and begin with larger bite-sized pieces. As with anything, practice makes perfect,” says Peter Som, award-winning fashion designer, culinary creator and lifestyle expert.
And when in doubt, don’t forget that chopsticks are a piece of eating utensil that is culturally important to millions of people around the world. “Chopsticks are not toys,” Som adds. So resist the urge to act like Animal from The Muppets and pretend you’re a rock star drummer!”
If you haven’t always eaten with chopsticks or want to improve your skills, read on.
- “Remove the rice from the bowl with a scooping motion,” recommends chef Cheng Lin of Shota Omakase in Brooklyn. “With sticky rice, it’s easier to lift out lumps right away.”
- “(For noodle dishes) Lift a small bundle of noodles and then place it in your bowl or on a spoon to catch any drippings before eating,” advises Lin.
- “(When making stir-fries) hold larger pieces of vegetables or meat in place by pressing them firmly together with the chopsticks,” Lin points out.
Instructions
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Position the first chopstick
Use chopsticks with your dominant hand. “Place the first chopstick in the crook of your thumb and place it on the side of your ring finger,” Lin advises. “This chopstick will stay in place.”
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Hold the second chopstick
“Hold the second chopstick like a pencil, with your thumb, index and middle fingers,” says Lin. “This is the chopstick that moves.”
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Align the tips
“Make sure the tips of both chopsticks are aligned for better control and precision,” adds Lin. Now you’re ready to use your chopsticks.
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Practice
“Start with large, easy-to-grip foods like broccoli or tofu pieces before moving on to smaller pieces like rice,” advises Lin. “Keep your hand relaxed. Tension makes it harder to handle the chopsticks. Don’t be discouraged. It takes practice to master.”
Mistakes people make when eating with chopsticks
Before you go down the wrong path with chopsticks, keep these important rules in mind.
First, don’t stab food with chopsticks, even if that seems like a good way to pick it up. “Spiking food with chopsticks is considered rude,” says Lin. As with any cutlery, waving chopsticks in the air or pointing them at others is also an example of bad table manners.
And don’t leave your chopsticks standing upright in your bowl. “This is considered bad luck, as it is reminiscent of incense sticks used at funerals,” notes Som. “Also, don’t put your chopsticks directly on the table and don’t eat with your hands up to the top third of the chopsticks; this is considered more elegant.”
When you are not using your chopsticks, place them across your bowl or plate, parallel to the table, or on a chopstick rest next to your dishes, rather than placing used chopsticks directly on the table.
And although many Americans have experienced guests rubbing their wooden chopsticks together after the disposable ones have broken, this is considered rude and suggests that the chopsticks are cheap and of poor quality.
“No matter what you decide to lift, always start with small portions that are easy to lift and eat in one bite,” advises Som.
