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Nov 11, 2025

How often do you use chopsticks?

I have just written about "Chopstick Day". The second "Chopstick day" of the year! I am curious; how often do you use chopsticks? For every meal? Once a day? With certain meals only? Occasionally? Never!?

BigfamJapan

BigfamJapan

Former nickname was "Saitama". Changed it to save confusion on place review posts! Irish, 20+ years in Japan! I also write on my personal website: insaitama.com

13 Answers



Best Answer

  • helloalissa

    on Nov 13

    I've never owned a fork while living in Japan, if that answers your question.

    1
  • genkidesu

    on Nov 12

    I feel like I use them all the time! I'm someone who didn't learn how to use them as a kid, and only learned in earnest while living here -- but I actually feel like they're a lot easier to use than a knife and fork in many situations. I even use them for eating things like potato chips so that I don't get my hands greasy and salty, which is something I can't ever have imagined I'd do back in my home country!

    2
  • genkidesu

    on Nov 12

    I should also add, I use them for cooking a ton as well, not just for eating! They're so useful for stirring pasta in a pot, beating eggs, mixing batter, and all those kinds of things. Definitely a multi-functional kitchen tool!

    1
  • TonetoEdo

    on Nov 12

    Lunch and dinner daily. I keep sets in my desk drawer (plus a renge spoon) and my shoulder bag, besides the ones at home. I do have cutlery in the kitchen drawer, which gets used with soup, pasta, and curry dishes.

    1
  • TonetoEdo

    on Nov 13

    @helloalissa What's your home cooking like? Do you exclusively prepare Japanese dishes?

    0
  • helloalissa

    on Nov 13

    @TonetoEdo Not at all. Tonight we're eating spaghetti with chopsticks. During summer we eat salad with chopsticks. Like @genkidesu said, they are great for eating potato chips without getting your hands greasy too. We will use spoons for curry and some soups. I find myself choosing chopsticks when there is a variety of cutlery in restaurants. Unless it's Thai food, haha.

    2
  • TonetoEdo

    on Nov 13

    @helloalissa Me, too! Unless I'm eating at ethnic restaurants where hands, forks, and spoons are the norm, I rarely use cutlery. At home, I break out a fork, knife, or spoon depending on the cuisine.

    0
  • BigfamJapan

    on Nov 14

    @genkidesu I use them for cooking too and I really miss my cooking chopsticks in Ireland!

    0
  • BigfamJapan

    on Nov 14

    @TonetoEdo its very handy to have a set in your drawer. I have a travel set I bring places in Japan, but I didn't bring it to Ireland. We do have regular chopsticks here, but not cooking chopsticks and I miss them!

    0
  • BigfamJapan

    on Nov 14

    @helloalissa I love this answer! And yes, it answers it perfectly!!

    0
  • genkidesu

    on Nov 14

    @BigfamJapan I find them so much easier than using so many other utensils. I can substitute chopsticks for tongs, a whisk, a skewer, etc...which also means less washing up!!

    2
  • TonetoEdo

    on Nov 14

    @genkidesu Sore na! That's so true! For precision when turning items in the nabe or frying pan, cooking chopsticks are my go-to.

    0
  • genkidesu

    on Nov 14

    @TonetoEdo they really do end up being a bit of a kitchen workhorse, but I think that's testament to how useful they are!

    0

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