Meat, noodles, desserts, fruits, vegetables, and even rice—name it! Asians will surely eat those with chopsticks. Used continuously for more than 5,000 years, it is easy to see why chopsticks are not just a cutlery; it is culture.
Although there are several types of chopsticks depending on the country, there are universal rules in using it. Respect the culture by knowing these customs right here.
DO hold it properly: Mastering the proper hold of chopsticks looks easy, but wait until you do it. The secret in mastering it is to just practice. Watch how the natives eat with chopsticks and do the same when you eat your meal.
DO get your food properly: It is customary not to eat directly from the shared dishes. Pick what you like first, then consume the food on your plate or bowl. Be extra careful to do this as food is considered sacred in Asian culture.
DO use a chopstick rest: Phasing during the meal is a common Asian custom. When on pause, place your chopsticks on a designated holder. If a chopsticks rest is not provided, you may make your own holder by using the wrapper of your chopsticks.
DO pick what to eat first: Scanning the food on the table with chopsticks in your hand is a definite no! Look for something that you want to eat first, before letting the cutlery work. Keep in mind that browsing the food using your chopsticks is considered gluttonous.
DO put food into the bowl: Giving food to people you are eating with is seen as a sign of admiration. However, remember to put the food into the bowl and not pass it from chopsticks to chopsticks. This act resembles a Japanese custom of transferring the cremated bones to the urn.
DON’T stick it upwards: Sticking chopsticks upwards is an outright sign of disrespect, as it resembles incenses used for the dead. This goes directly contrary to the food which is seen as a symbol of life. Always remember that you can always use the designated rest to place your chopsticks.
DON’T point at someone: Chopsticks should only be used for food and nothing else. If you want to talk to your peers during the meal, do not point your chopsticks at them. It is considered rude and disrespectful not only to the food but to them too.
DON’T stab your food: Being an amateur user is not an excuse to get your food by stabbing it. As mentioned, food is a symbol of life; and stabbing it represents killing off the blessings. Even if it is a struggle to eat with chopsticks, practice the right way of using it.
DON’T use broken ones: During mealtime, it cannot be avoided for chopsticks to get crooked part or worse, broken. When this happens, do not use it. Eating with broken chopsticks is often seen as a premonition of bad luck.
Now that you know the dos and don’ts, you can use chopsticks with better respect to culture. Practice with large food first such as balls and buns, before proceeding with small ones like grains and kernels. This will make you a master of using chopsticks in no time!
To help you with your practice and to fill your tummy too, indulge in one of the freshly frozen balls and buns from Wei Wei Cold Store. Grab our best-sellers like Cheese Fish Buns, Beef Balls, and Crab Roe Buns in one of or three branches (Arranque, Cubao, BGC) or leading grocery stores nationwide. For inquiries, visit our website, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
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