How to Hold Chopsticks the Right Way

how-to-hold-chopsticks-GettyImages-1311747140 — Photo:
Aleksandr Gavrilychev/Getty Images

Total Time: 2 minutes
Skill Level: Beginner

Chopsticks are one of the world’s oldest utensils, dating back thousands of years for humans to eat their meals. A culinary essential in Asia and at Asian tables in the worldwide diaspora, chopsticks are a primary tool for eating in about a quarter of the world.

Still, if you haven’t used chopsticks before or haven’t properly learned how to use them to eat, they can seem intimidating. Worry not—chopsticks are quite simple to eat with, once you get the hang of it.

Like any skill, using chopsticks can take a few tries to perfect, be patient. “Start slowly and start with larger pieces of bite-sized food. Like 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 an eating utensil, culturally important to millions of people around the world. “Chopsticks aren't toys,” Som adds. So resist the urge to be like Animal from The Muppets and pretend you’re a rock star drummer!”

If you didn’t grow up eating with chopsticks, or are ready to improve your skills, read on.

“Use a scooping motion to gather rice from the bowl,” Chef Cheng Lin of Shota Omakase in Brooklyn suggests. “For sticky rice, it’s easier to lift clumps directly.”
“[For noodle dishes] lift a small bundle of noodles, then lower them into your bowl or onto a spoon to catch drips before eating,” Lin says.
“[For stir-fries] secure larger pieces of vegetables or meat by pinching them firmly with the chopsticks,” Lin notes.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

1 pair of chopsticks, made from any material (bamboo, metal, plastic, etc.)

Materials

A plate or bowl with food of your choice

Instructions

Position the First Chopstick

Use chopsticks with your dominant hand. “Place the first chopstick in the crook of your thumb and rest it on the side of your ring finger,” advises Lin. “This chopstick remains stationary.”
Hold the Second Chopstick

“Hold the second chopstick like a pencil, using your thumb, index finger, and middle finger,” Lin says. “This is the chopstick that moves.”
Align the Tips

“Ensure that the tips of both chopsticks are aligned for better control and precision,” Lin adds. Now, you’re ready to use your chopsticks.
Practice

“Begin with large, easy-to-grasp foods, like pieces of broccoli or tofu, before moving to smaller items like rice,” Lin says. “Keep your hand relaxed. Tension will make it harder to maneuver the chopsticks. Don’t get frustrated. It takes practice to become proficient.”

Mistakes People Make When Eating With Chopsticks

Before you go rogue with your chopsticks skills, keep these essential rules in mind.

Firstly, don’t use chopsticks to stab food, even if that seems like a good way to pick it up. “Spearing food with chopsticks is considered impolite,” Lin says. Just as with any utensils, waving your chopsticks in the air or pointing them at people is also an example of bad table manners.

And don’t leave your chopsticks standing upwards in your bowl. “This is considered bad luck, as it resembles incense sticks used at funerals,” Som notes. “Also, don’t lay your chopsticks directly onto the table and eat with your hands to the top third of the chopstick, it’s considered more genteel.”

When you’re not using your chopsticks, rest them across your bowl or plate, parallel to the table, or on a chopstick rest near your dishes, rather than setting used chopsticks directly on the table.

And though many Americans have seen diners rubbing their wooden chopsticks together after snapping the disposable version apart, it’s considered rude, implying the chopsticks are cheap and of low quality.

“No matter what you’re trying to pick up, always start with small portions that are easy to lift and eat in one bite,” Som advises.