As of: February 7, 2024, 2:40 p.m
By: Anna Yakusheva
National Chopstick Day celebrates the art of eating with chopsticks - a cultural practice that is anchored in many Asian countries.
Every year on February 6th “National Chopstick Day” is celebrated.
This day draws attention to the globally popular chopsticks, which are an indispensable utensil for eating in many cultures.
It's an opportunity to explore and appreciate the fascination and skill that comes with using chopsticks.
Especially for those who are new to eating with chopsticks, National Chopstick Day is a perfect chance to learn the skill and embark on a new culinary adventure.
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This guide article presents delicious recipes - from sushi to pad thai to sweet desserts - that are perfect to enjoy with chopsticks.
The article also provides useful tips on how to hold chopsticks correctly in order to fully enjoy the culinary adventure.
1. Japanese enjoyment with chopsticks: sushi and sashimi
Sushi and sashimi are two of the most famous Japanese dishes.
They consist of raw fish wrapped in rice and other ingredients.
Their handy portions make them particularly suitable for enjoying with chopsticks.
In addition to the classic variants, there are also creative sushi recipes, such as the sushi bundt cake, sushi pockets with surimi and salmon or cucumber cream cheese rolls.
Connoisseurs who like to experiment can also enjoy innovative creations such as the fish finger onigirazu or the baked sushi muffins.
Sushi, an artistic fusion of fresh fish, rice and other delicious ingredients, offers a taste journey through the diversity of Japanese cuisine.
© imagebroker/IMAG
2. Noodle art
Whether it's ramen, such as the delicious corn and cheese ramen, the creamy mayo ramen with egg or spicy peanut butter ramen, or Pad Thai - noodle dishes are perfect for chopsticks and unfold their full range of enjoyment.
There are many different types of ramen, but the corn and cheese ramen recipe is particularly popular on TikTok.
© Simply Tasty
3. Rice dishes
From simple rice side dishes to complex main dishes, rice offers a diverse selection that is great to enjoy with chopsticks.
Whether it's fried rice, a portion of nasi goreng or a vegan vegetable stir-fry with crispy fried tofu - the ability to precisely pick up small portions of rice makes chopsticks an ideal utensil for rice lovers.
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4. Small appetizers
Spring rolls and dumplings, like gyozas and jiaozi, are perfect candidates for an enjoyable meal with chopsticks.
The handy sizes and well-portioned fillings of these popular dishes enable precise handling with the chopsticks.
Spring rolls are characterized by their light, crispy shell, while gyozas and jiaozi are small dumplings filled with delicious variations of meat, vegetables or seafood.
This pork and Chinese cabbage gyoza recipe is simply authentically Japanese.
© Simply Tasty
5. Desserts
In addition to savory dishes, there are also a number of desserts that are great to eat with chopsticks.
One of the most popular sweet treats are sweet sesame balls.
These fried balls made from sesame dough are highly prized in Asian cuisine and can be easily picked up and enjoyed with chopsticks.
Mochi, Japanese rice cakes with various fillings such as strawberry, green tea or mango, are also ideal for chopsticks.
Their handy format makes it easy to share and enjoy with the chopsticks.
Also ideal for chopsticks is Mango Sticky Rice, a dessert made from sticky rice, sweet coconut milk and fresh mango slices.
The sticky consistency of this delicious dish makes it easy to pick up and enjoy with chopsticks.
Mochis, delicate Japanese rice cakes, are a delicious dessert with a variety of fillings such as strawberry, green tea or mango.
© Pond5 Images/IMAGO
Hold chopsticks correctly: this is how you enjoy it
There are various techniques for holding chopsticks, with the three-finger method being one of the most common.
This involves stabilizing the sticks between the thumb, index finger and middle finger of the right hand.
Below are the steps of this method:
The chopsticks rest in the right hand.
The thumb stabilizes the top chopstick, about an inch from the tip.
The index finger provides support on the top chopstick, about an inch from the tip.
The middle finger supports the bottom chopstick, about an inch from the tip.
The three-finger method ensures safe handling of the chopsticks.
With the right technique, eating with chopsticks is easy.
© Zoonar/IMAGO
When using, be careful not to pick up too much food at once, use both chopsticks, do not drag through the food, and do not drop the chopsticks on the table.
Chopsticks are a practical and versatile utensil that, along with spices, is one of the must-haves in Asian cuisine and can be used to enjoy many delicious dishes.
With a little practice, you can quickly master the art of eating with them.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at her own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.