How to Use Chopsticks Correctly, So You Never Drop Sushi Again
By: Perry Santanachote
Credit: Laura Murray/Thrillist
Using chopsticks is kind of like riding a bike. Once you get the motions correct, it’ll be second nature…and you’ll go places. Like to dim sum and noodle bars and ramen joints and your couch with yet another tub of Thai takeout while you watch The Good Wife re-runs. It just feels classier to yell at Peter for sleeping with prostitutes when you are holding your chopsticks correctly.
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Credit: Laura Murray/Thrillist
Hold the first stick like a pencil
Take one stick and place it in your hand as you would a pencil. Adjust it so only about an inch of the thicker end is sticking out of the area between your index finger and thumb. Let the narrower end rest on your ring finger. This stick is the base stick and should not move while you pick up food.
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Credit: Laura Murray/Thrillist
Align the second stick with the first
Now, grab the second stick and line up its thicker end with the end of the first stick. Again, the end should only extend an inch beyond that space between your index finger and thumb. Place the narrower end between the tips of your middle finger and index finger. It’ll just graze the inside tip of your thumb.
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Credit: Laura Murray/Thrillist
Move the top stick, while keeping the bottom stationary
Use the tip of your thumb, index finger, and middle finger to raise and lower the second stick so that it meets up with the stationary stick. This motion tightens and loosens the sticks’ grasp.
Credit: Laura Murray/Thrillist
Practice with different food
Start off by grabbing larger food items, like sushi, before you graduate to more difficult, smaller foods, like noodles and rice.
Credit: Laura Murray/Thrillist
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