ChopStick Helpers for Lazy People

by 111 Comments

amerikajinchop

I just came across this article (which we’ll talk about more below), which made me think… why are you so lazy!? Of course, I’m only talking to those of you who don’t know how to use chopsticks (or hashi, in Japanese). If you’re heading to Japan (or most Asian countries) you should probably get on that, or just use one of these horrible inventions down below. It’s like putting kids with minor learning disabilities into special classes to make things easier on them. Not so good in the long run.

chopstickaidThis one came from SeriousEats which makes me want to SeriousThrowUp. This product doesn’t even let you use chop sticks in a way that’s like chop sticks at all, but I suppose if you’re really really lazy and don’t want to spend a few days learning how to use chop sticks (which really are completely superior to forks … debate below) then go for it… though, why not just bring a fork and save the trouble?

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This is something I came across at a Japanese restaurant in Washington (State). I think it’s the most clever rendition, but still lazy. It’s just rolled up chop stick wrappers in between, plus a rubber band. I didn’t get a chance to try it out, but this is something anybody could do (or, you could spend the time learning how to use chop sticks). [Source]

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This is one that I’ve seen around the Internets quite a bit. I suppose there’s a niche / product for everything, huh? [source]

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I know this article is all about products that make using chop sticks easier, but this looks like it’s going to make using chop sticks harder. No springiness or anything. So, I suppose if you’ve already figured out that chop sticks thing, and want another challenge, I think this guy’s for you. [source]

Really, chopsticks are so much better than forks. That’s right, I just went there. Try eating salad with a fork, nothing gets penetrated. Chop sticks? Just pick it up. What do you think? Chopsticks or Forks? Let the battle commence in the comments!

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  • http://www.ninjatofu.com Per-Gunnar

    first and foremost, a fork is nothing without a fork, its like trying to eat a salad with ONE chopstick, you need the knife aswell. They're great for the food from the same heritage, western food go with fork and knife, eastern foods go with chopsticks. You argumented that eating a salad with a fork is hard, try a ribeye with a pair of chopsticks, see, it goes both ways! :D

  • http://www.ninjatofu.com Per-Gunnar

    fork is nothing without a knife* grrrr….

  • http://kantanda.wordpress.com/ Mizuu

    Hashi go more natural with your hand. Even with soups with pasta like udon or ramen.

  • http://www.tofugu.com Viet

    I'm biased towards chopsticks for the obvious reasons, but the fork+knife has its place. Can't eat a nice steak with chopsticks :)

  • http://www.tofugu.com koichi

    It's all about the Chopstick + Knife combination! …or, bladed chopsticks… that's something we need to exist, if it doesn't already.

  • http://mokudekiru.com mokudekiru

    Chopsticks all the way. They're like fingers, maximal dexterity! Forks suck, I don't want to bother stabbing food that isn't pierce-able…

  • lucky_c

    I can't use chopsticks and I'm Asian. :failure: I blame it on the fact that I'm left-handed but I don't think that means anything. 8D;;

  • http://www.tofugu.com koichi

    True asian parents would have tied your left hand down until you became right handed, then it would have been all okay ;)

  • Saruko

    Everything seriously tastes better with chopsticks. Although I admit that ice cream is a bit hard to eat with them, I suppose that's where spoons step in

  • WOTDsctoo

    Yea, I agree with those above, eating salad with a fork may be a pain compared to chopsticks (or try tofu…), but eating a steak with chopsticks sounds….like an adventure, to say the least. >.<

    In most cases, either usually works. But the thing is that eating western food with chopsticks is fine, but eating asian food with a fork is embarassing. >.<

    FINGER FOOD FTW

  • WOTDsctoo

    Bladed chopsticks sound like they have a place in some terrible, yet probably entertaining, martial arts movieeee.

  • http://www.tofugu.com koichi

    P.S. A TRUE steak comes already cut for you, like when you were 8 and had your mom cut it before giving serving it.

  • Natalia

    I don't have trouble using chopsticks, but the ones I have a hard time using are those restaurant chopsticks, the long squared ones. Those are just too heavy for my fingers to hold. :D

  • http://maisaidso.blogspot.com Mai

    They give out those orange chopstick “helpers” individually wrapped at Noodles & Co D:~

    http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/4741/8323137…

    Super fail. I couldn't pick up anything ;__;~ Although, I do have to admit that I don't hold my chopsticks “correctly” because they cross, but if it works, it works.

  • Beck

    Personally, I like using chopsticks. However, I had a really hard time trying to eat noodles with them. So I thnk that most food is chopsticks all the way! but others need forks.

  • Nick

    I heard that the reason why Asians started using chopsticks was because it was considered “barbaric” to cut the food you had in front of you. Probably a myth though.

  • http://www.tofugu.com koichi

    That's why things come cut for you at restaurants, so I bet there's truth to
    that :)

  • http://erikagrace303.deviantart.com erika303

    Thank God I'm Asian & learned to use chopsticks really early! @_@ That fork-like add on looks completely ridiculous.
    I like chopsticks a lot better than forks too. Some foods break if you stab them with a fork >.< Plus, a metal fork absorbs a lot more heat if you're eating hot food and can burn your tongue much easier than with wood/plastic/porcelain chopsticks.

  • lily

    chopsticks, all the way!

  • http://erikagrace303.deviantart.com erika303

    Oh yeah, & this article reminded me of stamp I made a while back on deviantART:
    http://erikagrace303.deviantart.com/art/Chopsti…
    I thought you might enjoy it XP

  • http://www.tofugu.com Viet

    Psh. Might as well have your waiter chew the steak for you, like a mother bird!

  • http://beneko.blogspot.com Ami

    http://www.theforkchopstore.com/forkchops.htm

    hmm… I think I prefer plain ol' chopsticks

  • http://www.tofugu.com koichi

    haha, that's great! Sums up my feelings in one little gif :)

  • Tirabaralla

    Sorry but completely WRONG.
    A good part of the pleasure of having a big steak is cutting it…and enjoy the bloody moment.
    I know my steaks, believe-me.
    Never heard of “fiorentina”?
    Anyway, eastern food it's better eaten with chopsticks…but my country's food…naaaah.

    Finger food ftw, anyway.

  • http://www.tofugu.com Viet

    Trudat!

  • http://beneko.blogspot.com Ami

    D: I happen to only eat steak at home with chopsticks and a knife.
    Not as hard as it may seem but hey.. never know until you try haha

  • http://www.tofugu.com koichi

    Try to find a non-cut-up steak in Japan, though. It's tough! Not to mention steak sashimi…gah, now my mouth is watering…

  • http://www.rockinginhakata.com Deas

    I once saw a couple at a Western style “Japanese Steakhouse” teppanyaki place who really could have used these. The lady was trying to use waribashi without breaking them apart! It was awful. I wanted to tell her, but then I felt like I'd just embarrass her, so I didn't. Can you imagine trying to pinch food with the tips of wooden chopsticks that are still connected at the other end?

  • Ally

    i've never ever burned my tongue on my fork from it getting hot. lol

  • Ally

    chopsticks are awesome. and pre-cut food is awesome. i'm too lazy to cut my own food! i seriously hate doing it. that's it… im moving to japan!!

  • Ariana

    Sadly, I was in the supermarket here in NJ the other day and saw 'easy' chopsticks which were basically plastic chopsticks with a spring on one end. They looked like a giant clothespin and I couldn't, for the life of me, figure out how they would be easier than learning to use the chopsticks.

    Also, after seeing the kiddie training chopsticks in Japan, how could any functioning adult use them or something similar without undying shame?

    I like using chopsticks to eat spaghetti and salads, and they're great for cooking a lot of things. It's a pain to eat non-sticky rice with them though.

  • Brandon

    Chopsticks are definitely better. I generally prefer them over forks–especially for pasta.

  • Isa

    What? Your fork doesn't pick up salad?

    Are you sure you're stabbing it right? ;)

    I like both chopsticks and forks and I feel they both have their place. I have a lot of trouble picking up certain kinds of foods with chopsticks, so I can see why some people would rather just travel with the option of a fork. But that product is just silly!

  • Matt

    I'm pretty sure attempting to use my complementary chopsticks on the train back from my class visit to 'Japan Day' in London last year, was one of the most embarrasing moments of my life, so I'm going to stick with the good old knife and fork until I get some private practice in. ;]

  • http://www.yonasu.com yonasu

    Indeed the fork is completely useless for salads, but it's good for steaks and such. I prefer chopsticks over a fork when I'm eating my instant noodles, it takes too long if you use a fork!

  • http://erikagrace303.deviantart.com erika303

    It happens, I promise you lol. -esp when eating soup w noodles-

  • Chester_King

    You eat soup with a fork sometimes ?

  • http://www.ninjatofu.com Per-Gunnar

    I'm sorry I gotta step in here, the fork doesn't get hotter then the material you touch with it, it will have the same temperature as the food. You just got a +1 in Science.

  • http://www.libromancy.org Sara

    The fork isn't what's cutting the steak anyway, it's the knife. So if you can use a fork and a knife why not chopsticks and a knife?

  • Digger

    It took me a little longer than usual to learn to use chopsticks, but I don't think any of those gizmos would have helped me at all. My only recommendations to someone trying to figure them out is:

    1. Get a big helping of your favorite food and vow to finish it with chopsticks only.
    2. Folks may tell you to “hold it kind of like a pencil”, but don't let that cause you too hold the chopsticks too close to the tips.

    And remember, if I can figure it out, anyone can….

  • Digger

    Yeah, I do like finger/hand food. Campfire foodz and stuff like that. mmm

  • http://www.tofugu.com koichi

    You must eat iceberg lettuce! Maybe my greenery is just flat and limp :(

  • http://www.tofugu.com koichi

    100% agreement!

  • http://www.tofugu.com koichi

    Don't forget finger strength training! :P I like your strategy!

  • http://www.tofugu.com Viet

    You could do that, but then you'll look funny doing it. You'll have to hold the chopsticks with your non-dominant hand, while using the knife with your dominant hand. I suppose people who are ambidextrous can do it.

    I see it as the fork/knife/spoon as a complete set, while the chopstick is its own set.

  • Mikoto

    see everyone doesn't remember the day when they sucked butt on using forks and knifes! You know, when you're a drooling toddler and your parents are constantly helping you hold your food to your face? hehe, so I don't get why people can't understand that it takes practice to get good at using chopsticks too?

    I use to practice with m&ms, this made me learn precision and control, then noodles for strength (because it was just difficult to me) and you know what, i noticed i was trying to eat noodles like Americans eat noodles. average Japanese person lets noodles hang, and after i realized that, all my hard work payed off. (watching a native eat things will help you figure out how to eat stuff)

    i just think there is no such thing as chop stick challenged, just lazy <3 love you all, just practice it like you did with a fork, use only it. (also, just precut your steak just like you precut all sorts of other things (like lettuce and tomatos for a salad :D) and you have no problems.

  • http://erikagrace303.deviantart.com erika303

    I'm talking about ramen

  • http://erikagrace303.deviantart.com erika303

    I'm very aware of that. I'm talking about if you leave your fork in hot ramen. Goodness ppl… this happened to me. Why would I just randomly make this up? -_-

  • Tekzel

    Wow, I am surprised so many of you have problems eating a simple salad with a fork. I find it easy and intuitive, unlike eating anything with chopsticks.

    Here is my theory with chopsticks. I believe that the Japanese are members of the master race. Since they are superior, they needed to invent the chopsticks since the idea of a fork is like training wheels for eating. They found it too easy. For us mere mortals, the fork is far easier than the chopsticks.

  • emiko

    hi!

    sorry i haven't been on lately, i've been super busy with school

    i love this because so many of my friends don't know how to use chopsticks, so i tried to find easy ways to teach them, i've seen most of these before, the only one that i haven't seen is the fork one, i mean just buy a fork, it isn't that hard

    also, i think that spoons are better than forks, but chopsticks are better than both of them, unless you are eating yogurt, ice cream, or soup (unless it's miso)

    bye bye

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