If you have trouble using chopsticks correctly, you aren’t alone. Chopsticks can be challenging at first, but once you get the hang of them, you’ll find that they’re the perfect utensil for eating Japanese food. Grasping the technique is easier than you might think. This guide explains how to properly hold and use chopsticks.

How to Hold & Eat With Chopsticks

Proper Positioning

Mastering chopsticks is an easy feat once you get comfortable with the positioning. One stick rests between your thumb, palm, and ring finger in your dominant hand. This is the bottom stick and should remain still throughout your meal. The top stick sits between your thumb, pointer finger, and middle finger. Your two fingers will move the stick up and down to grab food. This technique requires practice, and you might even find a different position that works better for you. Whether you stick to traditional chopstick methods or come up with your own, you’ll soon be handling Japanese food with ease.

Eating With Chopsticks

Even if you’ve grown accustomed to the techniques, some Japanese dishes may be tricky to eat with chopsticks. For instance, if your rice isn’t sticky and can’t clump together, the traditional way of using chopsticks can seem like more of a hurdle than an advantage. Don’t be afraid to bring the bowl up to your face for easier access. Simply use the chopsticks to bring the rice into your mouth. For larger chunks of food, feel free to use the chopsticks to tear it into smaller pieces.

Additional Etiquette

When you’re dining on Japanese food at a restaurant, use proper etiquette. For example, spearing your food with chopsticks is a faux pas. It’s also considered rude to use the sticks to point or gesture, whether at people or food. Don’t play, drum, or make noise with your sticks. Most importantly, never leave chopsticks standing upright in a bowl, as it resembles the incense sticks burned for deceased loved ones. In general, it’s polite practice to only use them as the practical utensils they were meant to be.

You can practice your chopstick proficiency when you buy Japanese food from Teruya’s Andagi in Honolulu, HI. This family-owned restaurant has been serving delicious local favorites made from top quality ingredients for over 30 years. Whether you’re hungry for a bento box, garlic chicken donburi, or andagi, their authentic Japanese flavors are sure to satisfy your cravings. View their menu online, or call (808) 389-1714 to ask about how you can receive a free sweet potato mochi ball.