Learning how to eat with chopsticks is a rite of passage for anybody who enjoys Chinese or Japanese food.
Luckily, using these wooden utensils is easier than many people believe.
Using chopsticks may be intimidating.Some who didnt grow up using chopsticks are pretty reluctant to use the thing.
Understandable using chopsticks does kind of look difficult.
But it isnt really.
You just need to learn how to use chopsticks the right way!
For example, can you imagine using chopsticks to eat steak with a side of mashed potatoes?Impossible!
But believe it or not, for many other dishes, chopsticks makeeating faster and easier.
Generally, there are three different chopsticks: Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
Their chopsticks differ in many ways, including size, style, and materials.
Whether you are eating Chinese or Japanese food, it doesnt matter.
Knowing where the first and second chopstick sit in your hands is imperative.
But choosing the right chopsticks to practice with does help get you there faster.
As weve pointed out, you’ve got the option to use different kinds of chopsticks.
In this case, a pair of Japanese or Chinese chopsticks.
The metal chopsticks that Koreans use are a bit slippery and will be harder to hold.
Start with grabbing a single chopstick and place it in your more coordinated hand.
But ensure it doesnt touch the thumb.
Use your ring finger to balance the stick.
If you want, use your non-dominant hand to help align and secure the lower chopstick in place.
Once the first chopstick is in place, position the second chopstick between your pointer finger and thumb.
This is then the upper chopstick.
The tip end should be lying against the inner edge of your ring finger.
It should feel and look like you are holding a pencil when writing.
Adjust the chopsticks as needed and rearrange them to ensure they are lined up and are parallel.
At this point, check that youre holding around the top third of the chopsticks.
Then, grip the second/upper chopstick between your thumb and the middle and index fingers.
Then attempt to fulcrum the second chopstick using your index and middle fingers in unison.
It might be challenging, but you must keep your thumb straight while working the chopsticks open and closed.
If you want to look like you know what you are doing: thebottom chopstick shouldnt move!
Remember to maintain a firm grip on your chopsticks to avoid them shifting but without squeezing them.
Using chopsticks is pretty simple, right?
All you need now is to get used to using chopsticks.
Once you are used to chopsticks, using them should feel effortless.
So, here goes.
Start by positioning the chopsticks in your dominant hand, following the steps above.
And dont forget to maintain a gentle grip on the sticks.
Eating Ramen Using Chopsticks
To eat Ramen using chopsticks, you better get the right chopsticks first.
The Japanese have specialty chopsticks for Ramen noodles called the Edokibashi.
Its the same as the standard Japanese chopsticks except for the four ridges at the bottom part.
It keeps the noodles from slipping down between the sticks.
Chopstick Etiquette
Contrary to its name, you should not chop or stick food using your chopsticks!
While chopstick etiquette varies across cultures, there are a few common no-nos.
The Japanese have the longest list of chopstickfaux pasout of the different chopstick-using cultures.
Final Thoughts How to Use Chopsticks?
But remember to be patient.
Youre not likely to become an expert the first time you pick up a pair.
It takes patience and plenty of practice to become an expert on this technique.
