Have you ever noticed that chopsticks come in various shapes and sizes?

Chopsticks are designed in a particular way for its functionality. Some are round, some are flat, and some have a sharper point. They are made with different materials like wood, bamboo, metal, ivory, ceramics, plastic, stainless steel or titanium.

Chinese chopsticks are different than Japanese chopsticks which are also different than Korean chopsticks. From the difference in shape and size, it reflects their unique culture and diet.

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Chinese chopsticks are rectangular with blunt tips and usually around 25 centimeters in length. It has this feature because Chinese people like to gather around the table and share the food together. Having a pair of long chopsticks mean that it is easier to reach for dishes far away and also easy to pick up the food to serve others around the table as an act of respect and courtesy.

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Japanese chopsticks are rounded with a sharper point and shorter than Chinese chopsticks. That is because in a typical Japanese diet, they eat a lot more fish. The pointy tips on the chopsticks allow them to effectively remove the fish bones. They are shorter in length because Japanese people are used to eating their own dishes and it is also easier to pick up smaller bits of food like rice or beans. Another feature of Japanese chopsticks is that there are circle grooves near the tips so that the food doesn’t slip.

Korean chopsticks are flat and made of metal. They are much heavier than Chinese and Japanese chopsticks. The historical context of using this material for Korean chopsticks dates back to the Baekje period where it was used by the royal family to indicate if the food was poisonous or not. If the chopsticks detect poisonous chemicals in the food, then the silver colour will turn to black. Chopsticks made with different material also reflect the social class of the people. Those with higher social status or from the royal family would use gold or silver chopsticks.

Take a look at this video to learn a bit more about the history of chopsticks:

When dining with chopsticks, there are certain rules and that you must follow or else you will appear to be disrespectful. As proper chopstick etiquette, you are not allowed to stab the chopsticks vertically into the bowl because that resembles burning incense offerings to the dead. It is not respectful to use chopsticks as drumsticks and hit the sides of bowls and plates, they are not musical instruments. You must also avoid crossing chopsticks like an “X” shape and never point your chopsticks at someone because that is very rude.

Please avoid these taboos and put on your best manner when eating with chopsticks.