When at a Japanese restaurant do you eat with your chopsticks?

[kick-ass-bob]

Poll question: When at a Japanese restaurant do you eat with your chopsticks?

[swag]

1. No, Bob. I eat with YOUR chopsticks.

[kick-ass-bob]

4. .

:o

[mondo joe]

2. I use the sticks but I don't think about why.

They're there so I use 'em.

[Guy Fawkes]

3. I eat sushi whenever I can...

I love the stuff. I'm so used to chopsticks, I use them when eating a lot of things- including cereal.

[bertha katzenengel]

5. yes but not especially for the experience --

it's what i'm used to. When one eats Japanese food, one eats with chopsticks. At least when one is me. :hi:

[kick-ass-bob]

6. I eat about half of my dinner w/ chopsticks.

Then my hand gets so tired of holding them, I have to switch to a fork.

[redqueen]

15. Same here...

I enjoy using them, but it doesn't last long.

[Shell Beau]

7. I don't eat Japanese food, but if I did, it would take me

hours upon hours to eat with chopsticks!

[WeRQ4U]

8. Yep. Sushi tastes better when you have to work for it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. Yes, especially when I'm in Japan

:-)

But interestingly enough, not all foods are eaten with chopsticks, even in Japan.

The most notable example is curry rice, which is always eaten with a tablespoon. Most Western style foods, such as spaghetti or salad, are not eaten with chopsticks. However, tonkatsu, which is a breaded pork cutlet, IS eaten with chopsticks.

After living there for a while, you figure out the rules.

[redqueen]

14. Mmmmm... tonkatsu is my favorite Japanese dish.

YUM!

[Debbi801]

10. I wish I could, just not coordinated enough.

The rest of my family does, though. :-)

[JimmyJazz]

11. Yes. Japanese food loses it's flavor if you use a fork.

:silly:

[melissinha]

12. I agree forks ruin the taste

It may be that forks affect taste of all foods... but it is certainly evident when you try to eat it with a fork when you are used to eating it with chopsticks for years.

[northzax]

13. usually after I am served solid food

rarely will I consume miso soup with ohashi, (ramen of course) and before I pay the bill. That is usually the best time to eat with chopsticks.

[sakabatou]

16. Has anyone tried drinking with chopsticks?

Using the sticks to grasp, lift the cup...

[mondo joe]

17. Wouldn't sushi be hard to eat with a fork?

Same for most Japanese food. Didn't the cuisine and the sticks sotr of co-evolve so they are suited to each other?