There's plenty of reason to perfect your chopsticks skills. Do you love Asian food, but want the full experience by eating it as it was meant to be eaten -- with chopsticks? Some swear that it tastes better, and you want to see for yourself...without looking foolish. Others make it look so easy, but when you try it, you end up asking for a fork. Now it's time to say goodbye to that fork for good and to put those chopsticks to work!
Pick up the first chopstick with your middle finger and thumb. This one is your anchor -- it should not move. Stiffen your hand for a firm grip. Have the broad end of the chopstick lay in the crook of your hand, where your thumb and pointer finger connect. Rest the narrow end between the base of your thumb and the side of your index finger. It should be virtually immobile. It's similar to how you hold a pen, but a bit lower.
Grip the second chopstick with your index finger and thumb. This is the stick that moves. Place your thumb over the side of the second chopstick, so it rests above the first. Adjust your grip to a more comfortable position. Make sure the narrow tips of the chopsticks are even with each other to help prevent them from crossing or being unable to "pinch" the food.
To get them even, you can tap them on the table. Uneven chopsticks will be very difficult to use.
To get them even, you can tap them on the table. Uneven chopsticks will be very difficult to use.
Practice opening and closing the chopsticks. Make sure the broad ends of the chopsticks do not make an "X" as this will make it difficult to pick up food. Is only the top one moving? Great!
If it helps, move your hand up and down the chopsticks, but maintaining the same position, experimenting with levels of grip. Some find it easier to maneuver closer to the base, others further up.
If it helps, move your hand up and down the chopsticks, but maintaining the same position, experimenting with levels of grip. Some find it easier to maneuver closer to the base, others further up.
Start picking up food! Working from a 45° angle may be easiest right now. Once you have it steady, lift 'er up. If it feels unstable, put it down and try again. Once you get good at one type of food, move onto different sizes and textures. When you start feeling really confident, practice with noodles!
Know the rules when sharing food. Often at Asian dining tables (whether at home or at a restaurant) means sharing large plates of food. It's not proper to dive in to the communal meal with chopsticks that have just been in your mouth! You have two options: Use a public pair of serving chopsticks that never touch your own (or anybody else's) bowl of rice/food, Pick with the other (non-eating) end of your chopsticks. That's the broad end that hopefully you're not chewing on!
