Chopsticks vs Forks and Knives – Which cutlery is better?
Have you ever wondered why Asian people eat with chopsticks instead of forks?
If you have, this means you have tried to hold chopsticks many times.
Have you ever wondered why Asian people use these hard instruments?
If you have, this means you have gone through many struggles while using chopsticks.
I sit in one of the Chinese restaurants in Emporium with my friend - Ella Mori, who was born in Australia. We have variety Chinese dishes in front of us. I was born in an Asian country - Vietnam; so using chopsticks to eat noodle soup is not that hard like many Western people have to deal with. However, I was a little surprised at how Mori uses this hard cutlery like an expert.
Holding chopsticks in the right way. Photo: Cultural China
The History of Chopsticks
Chopsticks first appeared about 4000 - 5000 years ago in China; the earliest versions were used just for cooking because they are the perfect tool for reaching into hot water or oil. Then, the founder of Xia Dynasty - Dai Yu did not want to wait for his meal to cool down while he was rushing to leave a flood zone, so he decided to pick up a pair of twigs and start his meal.
Due to the rise in population in China AD 400, resources (especially food) became very limited. People began chopping food into smaller pieces; so it suited the bite sized pieces and required less cooking fuel. The tiny pieces were perfect for eating with chopsticks, which were made from cheap materials and easily made. The trend started from this day.
Chopsticks quickly spread out around Asian countries such as Vietnam, Japan and Korea. Different cultures have different chopsticks styles. For example, in Korea, chopsticks are made from metal; whereas in Vietnam, it is made from bamboo or wood. In Japan, they categorise chopsticks as eight-inches-long for men and seven-inches-long for women.
Japan’s chopsticks: 24cm is for men, 23cm and 21cm are for women. Photo: Rakuten Global Market
Different cultures have different rules of using chopsticks. In traditional Chinese culture, digging food around a bowl is referred to as ‘digging your grave’ and is considered extremely rude at a table. In traditional Vietnamese culture, tapping chopsticks on the the edge of a bowl is considered ‘calling a ghost’, which is thought to be a bad omen. Taiwan and Korea have other different rules while using chopsticks at the table.
So, why do forks and knives not appear on Asian people’s table?
Forks had been found in Ancient Greece; however, they did not appear on dinner table until the 1500s. According to some historical contexts, forks officially appeared in Venice in the 11th Century during the wedding ceremony of a Byzantine princess, Theodora Anna Doukaina, to Domenico Selvo. Due to many religious beliefs, many people did not like a Byzantine princess and claimed that forks carried negative stigma and were considered an affront to God. Therefore, forks during this time were not allowed on the table.
Romans founded the knife. However, it did not become popular in northern Europe until the 16th Century. When Catherine de’ Medici married Henri II she brought her cutlery set with her, which included forks and knives from Florence to France in 1553. After more than a hundred years, Charles I of England finally gained respect and declared that the fork and knife would become the utensils for serving every meal until now.
In contrast with Western people, many Asian countries such as Vietnam believe in Confucius. He believed that knives were not suitable to eat with. He claimed that knives were associated with acts of aggression because they mostly appeared in the slaughterhouse and kitchen. Moreover, chopsticks are older then forks by many decades yet the observation of using forks in Asian countries only became one of the way of having a meal until recently.
From a beginner to an expert
Jessie Moxham originally is from Australia. She has been to many Asian restaurants in Melbourne. However, using chopsticks is a challenge every time she goes to an Asian restaurant. For her, it takes a large amount of time to get used to chopsticks.
“My mum bought chopsticks, which have a tool to support beginners and I have tried to practice with them. It is quite easy to hold food while using them; however moving on to the real chopsticks is really hard. I cannot hold food properly; especially with dumplings.” Moxham sighs.
Chopsticks supporter direction. Photo: Pigeon’s chopsticks.
Chopsticks for beginners. Photo: babyonline.com.hk
Mori is one of small group of Western people who can use chopsticks in the proper way. “I think because I came from a foodie family and both my parents know how to use chopsticks, I picked it up earlier than the average Australia kid.” Mori smiles.
Both Moxham and Mori agree that using chopsticks is very challenging and it requires a lot of practice to be an expert. “it is very annoying to use chopsticks to eat noodle soup at the beginning; especially when everybody around me has finished their dishes. So I end up using a fork.” Moxham disappointed herself when she tries to use chopsticks.
Moxham had a bad experience while going to Indonesia. “I had a rice dish while I was in Panduan, I had a lot of struggles picking up my food with chopsticks. I had to ask them to provide fork but they did not have one.” Moxham comments.
Unlike Moxham, with Mori’s observation, some Asian restaurants in Asian regions are trying to cater both to the Eastern and Western style of having a meal. “When I was 16-years-old, I went on 18 days tour around China. I always had a choice of using either chopsticks or forks and knives in restaurants.” She remembers.
What do Asian people think about chopsticks and forks?
Unlike chopsticks, no matter how you hold it, you can still can pick up food by forks and cut food by knives. Many Western people like Moxham are not really familiar with chopsticks due to complicated techniques. Searching YouTube, WikiHow and asking Asian people how to hold chopsticks properly are some of ways that many people do.
Trang Tran, who was born in Vietnam, says “When I turned 19-years-old, I realised that I held chopsticks incorrect. it took me a year to correct my mistakes.” Tran remembers. With Tran’s observation, if a person understands the techniques, it is quite easy to hold chopsticks to pick up food.
Tran also comments that using forks and knives is very easy; however, it does not suit with Asian culture and belief. She thinks using chopsticks is very interesting. Even though it is very challenging to use it at the first time, it is a signature way to identify where you came from.
Hue Vo, who comes from Vietnam, taught her little boy how to use chopsticks when he turned three-years-old. “My little boy used forks when he turned two-years-old because I feel using chopsticks is very dangerous at this age. I acknowledge that using forks is very easy but using chopsticks is our culture and belief. My little boy needs to know how to use chopsticks and rules when using this tool.” She comments.
Vo’s kid is using chopsticks when having his breakfast
Being asked why teaching her kid at such a young age, Vo says children same age as her kid in Japan can use chopsticks fluently and they can eat by themselves without asking help from parents. Moreover, using chopsticks is one of Vietnamese culture that kids should acknowledge and learn how to use them.
Both Tran and Vo think using chopsticks has many rules while using them; whereas knives and forks nearly do not have any rule. Therefore, people who use chopsticks should understand rules and try to avoid mistakes.
Not only Asian people but also Western people understand using chopsticks requires many skills and techniques. Furthermore, it also trains people to be patient when learning how to use them. But people cannot deny that it is one of the significant cultures that appear in almost all Asian countries.
“Using chopsticks is fun!” Ella comments.
Definitely, using forks and knives is easier then chopsticks. There are many arguments around using chopsticks and forks. These utensils have both strengths and weaknesses. I think the most important thing that people should consider using which cutlery would give you confidence and ease when having a meal.
I would leave this question for you: Chopsticks vs Forks and Knives - Which cutlery is better?
