The use of chopsticks in Japan

Chopsticks are a common eating utensil in many Asian countries and very important in Japanese food culture. While it's the 21st century and many Japanese eat foreign dishes with knives and forks, most Japanese restaurants only serve dishes with chopsticks, including noodles, sushi, tempura, sukiyaki, and so on.

Most people are pretty good at using chopsticks. But do you really know all the basic rules of chopstick use? In this article, we'll look at the best way to use chopsticks properly, and then some chopstick taboos in Japan!

Let's go, let's learn more about Japanese culture.

- How to hold chopsticks correctly?

This is the correct way to hold chopsticks, and it can be important to the Japanese. Sometimes, people who don't hold their chopsticks correctly are perceived as rude!

Now, let's look at some things not to do with chopsticks in Japan.

- 10 chopstick taboos

1. Sashi Bashi/Sashi Bashi (1)
Don't pierce food with your chopsticks instead of grabbing it properly.

2. Tate Bashi/Sunshine
Don't stick your chopsticks in your rice. This gesture is the same as at funerals, when people place incense for the deceased.

3. Kuwae Bashi/Kuwae Bashi
Do not hold your chopsticks in your mouth.

4. Nigiri Bashi/Spicy Noodles
Do not use your chopsticks by gripping them with your whole hand.

5. Hashi Watshi/Shining
Do not pass food from chopsticks to another person.

6. Neburi Bashi/Shifu
Don't lick the chopsticks.

7. Tataki Bashi/Sunshine
Do not bang your chopsticks on the table or dishes like a drum.

8. Sashi Bashi/Sashi Bashi (2)
"Don't point at someone with chopsticks."

9. Yose bashi/Yose bashi
Do not pull a dish by your chopsticks.

10. Saguri Bashi/Japanese
Do not use your chopsticks to search for a particular item in your dish.

Now you're ready to use chopsticks! You can demonstrate your skill to your friends and tell them how to use them properly.

Looking to get some chopsticks for your next meal? Take a look at our Japan at Home chopstick collection !