How To Choose The Best Chopsticks (2019 Edition)
Anyone experienced with chopsticks will tell you that there is more to selecting the best pair than just picking up a wooden, disposable set. Different cultures have created different chopsticks over time, made with a variety of materials for specific purposes.
To find the right pair of chopsticks for your home, follow our guide on how to select the best chopsticks!
**Below, you'll find more detailed reriews, but you can click links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon
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How To Choose The Best Chopsticks
When you’ve decided that you’re ready to get a pair of household chopsticks, it’s not as simple as swinging by a local Asian restaurant and grabbing some.
If you want to be able to use chopsticks comfortably and for a long time, there are some things that you will want to consider before you make a purchase.
One more thing: if you haven’t learned how to use chopsticks yes, just follow this simple video!
Materials
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Different chopsticks are made from different materials. Sometimes, this difference is because the chopsticks originate from different countries. Other times, it’s simply decorative. More often than not, different materials are used for different purposes.
Some materials that your chopsticks may be made out of include:
- Plastic: Cheap, but not very durable.
- Bamboo: Splits easily. Heat resistant. Usually handed out with takeout Chinese food.
- Bone or precious metals: Usually owned by wealthy families as a symbol of their status. Often had engravings on them.
- Stainless steel: durable, reusable, eco-friendly.
- Titanium: strong, dishwasher safe, the most durable.
There are even more types of materials that chopsticks can be made out of, but these five types of material are the most common. Each material will handle differently, so you want to try them out if possible.
If you aren’t sure which type you like best, go out to dinner! See what kind of chopsticks your local restaurants set out, and get a feel for which type of chopsticks will work in your home.
My recommendation is to try to get one of these types of material for your chopsticks:
- Bamboo or wood
- Stainless steel
- Titanium
These are the most practical and the most durable materials.
Origins
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As mentioned, different types of chopsticks originated in different countries. The shape of the chopsticks changes depending on where they came from, so it’s important to know which type of chopsticks you’re looking at.
Chinese Chopsticks
Chopsticks have been used in Chinese culture for over 5,000 years. In a way, they’re considered to be a part of the hand, rather than a tool that you eat and cook with.In most cases, Chinese chopsticks are made from unfinished wood. The shape of the chopstick is usually rectangular, and the tool has a blunt end.
Among Korean, Japanese, and Chinese chopsticks, these are the longest and thickest type of chopstick. They have very little taper to them.
Japanese Chopsticks
In Japan, there are different types of chopsticks for different purposes. While you can find this same characteristic in other Asian cultures, there are more types of chopsticks in Japan than in most countries.
There are different lengths, materials, and types of chopsticks created for:
- Cooking
- Eating specific meals
- Picking up certain foods
- Used at funerals
- Used for special events
You can expect Japanese chopsticks to be made from wood or plastic, but wealthy families may use chopsticks made from bone or ivory for special events.
Compared to Chinese chopsticks, Japanese chopsticks have more rounded ends. This style of chopstick tends to have more intricate color and design, as it is thought to be an important part of maintaining balance in the home.
Korean Chopsticks
Korean-style chopsticks are my personal favorite chopsticks! They are made of stainless steel, and there is an interesting reason why this culture of metal chopsticks developed.
It is said kings were the first ones to use chopsticks made of metal. If a king ate with silver chopsticks, it would help prevent assassination attempts. How? The metal changed color when it came in contact with many poisons! Since ordinary citizens didn’t need this protection nor could they afford it, they relied on inexpensive metal instead.
Since metal chopsticks are slippery, Korean chopsticks have rough ends to help you better grip the food. They are much shorter than both Japanese and Chinese chopsticks.
Overall Look
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It’d be silly to say that looks don’t matter when it comes to chopsticks because they might! Depending on how you intend to use the chopsticks, you may want to look for a certain color palette or design.
There are thousands of different designs out there. While I didn’t put design at the forefront of how I reviewed today’s chopsticks, they are all very authentic and attractive designs.
Overall Value
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Before making your purchase, consider whether you plan to use these chopsticks every day for a long time, or if you just want to have them around for when you feel like giving them a try.
Generally speaking, chopsticks are very affordable, particularly if you’re looking for bamboo, wood, or stainless steel chopsticks.
Still, you don’t want to spend more than the chopsticks will be worth based on how often you plan to use them. Think about how often you will use the chopsticks before making a purchase.
The Top 5 Best Chopsticks
1. Happy Sales HSKS1/B, Japanese Black Chopsticks Set with Case
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Among all the chopsticks that I’ve reviewed, the Happy Sales HSKS1/B, Japanese Black Chopsticks Set with Case stood out to me as the best option for the home buyer who is looking to try a pair of pretty chopsticks at home.
These Japanese style chopsticks have a beautiful design, and they also come with a nice carrying case - which is what I love most about them! While you might not think you need a case, it’s very easy to misplace just one chopstick, so having a case to store them in at home is a convenient way to make sure that nothing gets lost.
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2. Rbenxia Metal Steel Chopstick Stainless Steel Spiral Chopsticks
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The next best chopsticks to consider is the Rbenxia Metal Steel Chopstick Stainless Steel Spiral Chopsticks set. This set of chopsticks gives you five pair of Korean-style, metal chopsticks. Korean style chopsticks are usually my favorite, and these are a great rendition of them!
These chopsticks are very easy to use, easy on the eye, and easy to toss in the dishwasher if you don’t feel like washing them yourself! This makes them ideal for a family looking for a durable set of chopsticks that won’t become a hassle to have at home.
Plus, these are a very great value - five sets at a very low price is something you can’t complain about!
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3. GearNomad Titanium Chopsticks With Aluminium Case
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Next up is a unique design idea - the GearNomad Titanium Chopsticks With Aluminium Case. I had never tried titanium chopsticks before these, but since I like Korean-style stainless steel chopsticks, I figured that I might like them… and I was right!
Though these chopsticks are metal, they are actually Japanese-style chopsticks as they have a square end that is more characteristic of Japan’s chopsticks. This makes them very easy to use, and it’s easy to pick up all types of foods with them.
The thing I love most about these chopsticks is that they come in a compact case that matches the design. This makes them the idea travel companion if you like to pack your lunch, are heading backpacking, or just want to keep them together in your drawer!
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4. DineAsia CCH02/O Multicolored Japanese-Style Chopsticks
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This next set of chopsticks is ideal if you are having a fun dinner gathering at home or want to give some chopsticks to a friend as a gift.
The DineAsia CCH02/O Multicolored Japanese-Style Fish Pattern Reusable Sushi Chopsticks have the most beautiful design on them, but it isn’t tacky or too bold. Instead, the subtle Japanese-style fish design and coloring gives them a serene and contemporary look that many users appreciate.
The chopsticks themselves are made of hardwood that is lacquered at least five times to ensure that they will stand up to being used many times. They won’t splinter, and they won’t get hot while you are eating hot dishes thanks to their low heat induction level.
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5. Yohino Titanium Chopsticks (2 Pair) - Traditional Chinese Style
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This final set of chopsticks is the Yohino Titanium Chopsticks (2 Pair) - Traditional Chinese Style. This set of two pairs of titanium chopsticks comes with two seperate carrying cases which is very convenient if you want more than one family member to be able to use these.
Though these chopsticks are made of titanium, you don’t have to worry about them being heavy. They are made of a food-safe, ultra-light titanium that works well for a utensil. If you want to travel with these chopsticks, it wouldn’t be a problem thanks to their size and weight.
While these chopsticks are identified as Chinese chopsticks, I believe they are a blend of both Korean and Chinese style chopsticks. They have the metal design and grip lines of Korean chopsticks, but the square edges and longer length of some Chinese chopsticks.But it doesn’t really matter what type they are - as long as they work for picking up food, and these chopsticks sure do!
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Enjoy Your Chopsticks
Now that you’ve checked out my guide to the best chopsticks, have you found which type will work best for you? It took me some time to discover which type of chopsticks I liked best, but now I’m comfortable using many different ones. For a long time, I only used metal chopsticks but am glad to have learned about when to use different types, too.
Among these options, the best chopsticks are definitely the Happy Sales HSKS1/B, Japanese Black Chopsticks Set with Case. These chopsticks have a nice finish, are very comfortable to use, and come with a convenient carrying case so you won’t lose them at home or on the go. Plus, they’ve got a super adorable design going on!
What type of chopsticks do you like to use most? Did you know there are different types before reading this article? Let me know what you think about the best chopsticks in the comments below. I love hearing from you all!
