LESSON 11
Chop-chop
It’s perfectly fine to eat sushi with your fingers. You can also use chop sticks to pick up the sushi pieces. Chop sticks are available in all kinds of material. For eating, Chef Devaux recommends wooden or bamboo chop sticks.
Using chop sticks
Many people from the West are used to eating with a fork. Usually they find it rather difficult to use chop sticks. It does indeed take some practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find out it’s a great way to eat all kinds of dishes.
Stationary stick
Start by placing the first chopstick between the base of the thumb and the top of the ring finger (between the ring finger and the middel finger). This lower chopstick remains stationary).
Pencil grab
The second chop stick is held like a pencil. Place this chop stick between the top of the thumb and the middle and index fingers. Move the second chop stick to full food into the grasp of the chop sticks.
Now practice by picking up whatever you prefer. That’s basically all there is to it!
Note: if you’re more comfortable by holding the chop sticks in a different manner, feel free to do so. What suits you best is fine!
Keeping it clean
Wooden chop sticks often come in pairs that are still attached to each other. You are supposed to break off the larger piece where the sticks connect. The little piece of wood is meant to put next to your plate. When you’re not using the chop sticks, let the points rest on this piece of wood, to keep the table clean.
That’s all for this lesson. All that’s left for you is practice until you feel comfortable eating with chop sticks. A last word of advise: as long as you can’t use them properly, don’t use them when eating out. You’ll look clumsy and you’ll probably end up making a big mess. J
