Hashi – Tips and Rules on how to use and hold the chopsticks

Do you know everything about the chopsticks that the Japanese and other Asian countries use to eat? Do you know the correct way to hold the chopsticks? In this article, we will share some tips and rules on how to use chopsticks.

In Asia, it is common to use chopsticks (箸) to eat certain foods. They are 2 sticks that form a kind of pincers. In Japan, eating with them is not only practical but is also considered an art.

Knowing a little about customs will help you avoid embarrassment, make friends, and close deals. In this article, we will see 15 basic rules that you should remember to avoid embarrassment when eating with chopsticks.

In Korean, chopsticks are called Jeotgarak, in Chinese they are called kuàizi, in Thai they are called takiap, and in Indonesian, they are called sumpit.

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How to Hold and Eat with Chopsticks

If you don’t know how to eat using chopsticks or even how to hold them correctly, it’s quite simple but requires a bit of practice.

First, the lower chopstick should go between the thumb and index finger and rest on the ring finger. Next, hold the upper chopstick with the index, middle, and thumb fingers in the same way you hold a pen. Now, just open and close by moving the upper chopstick with the index and middle fingers.

It’s easier said than done. This part takes quite a while to master. Observe how others hold their chopsticks and follow their example; patience is necessary. If you really want to learn, practice as much as you can. After gaining enough practice, you’ll see how they become very practical.

The correct way is to hold the chopsticks with the right hand and use the left to lift the rice and soup bowls while eating. Never pick up food in a vertical position; always from the sides.

You can practice eating with chopsticks by just holding one of them as if it were a pencil. Below, we will leave a video that presents more tips on how to eat with chopsticks and hold them correctly.

Tips for Eating with Chopsticks

When Storing Chopsticks

In most restaurants, a holder will be provided for placing the chopsticks, so just use it. Never, ever, place the chopsticks vertically in the plate, especially in rice, because it resembles a ceremony performed at funerals in Japan. If you don’t see a holder, as in the case of disposable chopsticks, when not using the chopsticks, place them in front of you, with the tips facing left.

Do Not Eat Directly from the Plates

It is very common for the Japanese to leave trays full of sushi or other food for you to take and place on your plate, so never take food directly from the public tray and eat it; you should place it on your plate first.

Never Share Food

This is the biggest taboo at the Japanese dining table; never pass food to another person directly using chopsticks, because this resembles a custom at Japanese funerals when bones are ceremonially passed. If you are sharing food, take it directly to the plate. Sometimes, a separate chopstick is left for this purpose.

Do Not Mix, Cut, Dig, or Lick

Avoid starting to eat with chopsticks and then switching to utensils, and also avoid using both at the same time.

Most dishes come in the right size to eat in a single bite. Yes, there will be occasions when it is necessary to cut large foods, but sushi and other small items, avoid!

Do not use chopsticks to dig around looking for other foods on the plate; eat normally, taking what is within your reach.

Do not lick the ends of the chopsticks; this is something ugly and called Neburi bashi.

Ways of eating with chopsticks differ in China and Korea; the rules are completely different. Do not worry too much; even the Japanese have not fully mastered the art. Do not be afraid to make mistakes, but do your best.

What You Should Not Do with Chopsticks

Do not navigate with chopsticks. Decide before picking up your food; do not hover with the chopsticks over the plates, avoid filling the plate all at once, avoid choosing. This is considered greed (sashi bashi).

Chopsticks are not toys – Never point chopsticks when talking to someone. Never rub chopsticks together several times after separating them, because it is a sign that you think the chopsticks are cheap and bad.

Do not cross chopsticks – When storing chopsticks next to the plate, avoid leaving them crossed, because it also resembles a funeral.

Do not stir chopsticks in your soup – When you do this, it looks like you are trying to clean them. This is sometimes tempting because miso soup remains suspended and does not dissolve. Resist the temptation!

Do not move plates or bowls with chopsticks – Sometimes you may have this crazy idea; do not embarrass yourself.

Do not invent taking your own chopsticks

Having your own chopsticks, all decorated and in a little box, kept in your favorite sushi-ya is a strange Brazilian custom, probably introduced to retain customers, but with no connection to Japanese tradition. Moreover, as far as I know, no one takes their own fork and knife to a restaurant…

In general, the most important rules are those that remind people of Japanese funerals. Remember that chopsticks are not just two sticks for eating, but are deeply rooted in Japanese culture.

Origin and History – How Did Chopsticks Come About?

The exact origin of these chopsticks is not known. The Chinese were responsible for popularizing this practice throughout Asia, but there are much older accounts involving Israel, the people of Citas who invaded Canaan.

Chopsticks were also used in Uighur civilizations from the steppes of Mongolia since the 6th century. It is believed that chopsticks were used much earlier, around 2500 years before Christ, to grill meat over coals.

Only 1500 years after being simple sticks used to turn meat, chopsticks began to be used for common foods. It is believed that they were quite useful to avoid getting hands dirty with sauces that were quite common in cooking.

Confucius was also a great influencer who stated that vegetarians could not use knives at the table. As he was a vegetarian and a famous philosopher of the time, this had a lot of influence.

Saibashi – Another Type of Chopsticks

Some may not know, but there are also other Japanese chopsticks called Saibashi [菜箸] specifically for use in the kitchen, allowing the handling of large and hot foods.

They usually measure over 30 centimeters longer than a common chopstick, and are also joined by a cord at the ends to facilitate grip. Something similar happens with common chopsticks, where people place a clip for the inexperienced.

Most saibashi are made of bamboo or metal. The metal ones are used to handle things that are frying, called kinzokuseinohashi [金属製の箸].

Why Do the Japanese Use Chopsticks?

There are numerous advantages to using Japanese chopsticks. First, they are much more hygienic than a fork or spoon. They can also be made from various materials such as bamboo, metal, ivory, and even plastic.

The Japanese also find it much easier to use chopsticks to consume things like noodles and sushi, which are part of Japanese cuisine. Even Japanese rice is much easier to scrape the bowl with chopsticks than with a fork.

In another article that we will recommend at the end, you will see that, in fact, Japanese chopsticks are much more practical than other utensils. It is much faster and easier to eat with chopsticks for most foods.

I hope you enjoyed this article, and that it helps you understand the entire culture of chopsticks in Japan, their etiquette rules, and the correct way to hold and use them. If you liked the article, share it!

Also read: Do Japanese people only eat with chopsticks?