Entrance

Principles

Chopsticks

Basics

Sushi

Phrases

Glossary



Do you need to learn the basics of how to hold and use chopsticks before going on?

  • Do use chopsticks to cut or break apart large pieces of food. Hold both chopsticks closer together in one hand and cut by pressing down. Don't separate them and try to cut things as you would with a knife and fork.

  • Do place chopsticks together on a chopstick rest,a small piece of ceramic or wood (see below left), if one is available. Most restaurants, however, use disposable chopsticks which come wrapped in paper that can be folded into a makeshift chopstick rest.

    Chopsticks and  Chopstick Rest

Chopsticks and Wrapper

  • Do rest your chopsticks together across the lowest plate at your place setting when you are finished eating.

  • Do use chopsticks to pick up pieces slightly too large to eat in one bite. While most of your food should already be in bite-sized pieces, when you encounter something larger, simply bite off what you can and then return the rest to your plate.

    Chopsticks

  • Don't play with chopsticks. They are not swords, drumsticks, etc.

  • Don't stand chopsticks up in a bowl. Standing chopsticks up in a bowl of rice connotes an offering of food for the dead.

  • Don't use chopsticks to gesture or point.

  • Don't take something directly from someone else's chopsticks.

  • Don't use chopsticks to pull plates or dishes closer to you.

  • Don't use chopsticks to skewer or spear food.

  • Don't wave them over your food or poke at your food while you decide what to eat next.

  • Don't lick your chopsticks. (Licking one's chopsticks has a sexual connotation --proceed at your own risk.)

  • Don't use the ends you are eating with to take something from a communal plate. Reverse your chopsticks and use the other ends to take something from a dish that is being shared.

Entrance

Principles

Chopsticks

Basics

Sushi

Phrases

Glossary