Do you always look with admiration at your friend who manages to uncork the beer bottle with the lighter? Or the friend who starts the diet even if it’s not Monday? In this article, we read about How to use sushi chopsticks?
And let’s not talk about your partner who says, “tomorrow morning I wake up first and review,” and then he does! It is gestures like these that make us real heroes in the eyes of others.
But your role in the world is different. Your destiny is to become a sushi ninja. That’s why you are here: to start your training and learn how to use chopsticks.
How to use Japanese chopsticks the right way
Fork, knife, tongs: the chopsticks are multipurpose. Knowing how to use them is a bit like having a superhero gadget at your disposal: you have to learn how to handle them correctly.
But don’t worry: you won’t have to go through any exhausting workouts or go through unlikely strength tests. The technique to succeed is much more straightforward than it may seem, and the good news is that you don’t need any superpowers.
To juggle the sticks, all you need is a little practice!
With Sushiko as a mentor, going from catching hosomaki to eating a whole plate of noodles with chopsticks will be a breeze!
Five steps to follow to become a ninja with wands
To begin with, choose whether to use the right or left hand: to make the most of all the potential of the sticks, you need the most substantial hand.
Choice? Well, get yourself some chopsticks, and let’s get started.
1. Place the first wand
Place a wand under your thumb, in the crook of your hand, and let the thinnest part rest on your ring finger. This is the wand that you must always keep fixed and immobile, while the other one you will use to get food. To make things easier for you, think about how you would hold a pen and do the same with the wand!
2. Place the second wand
Take the other rod and hold it between your index finger and thumb. You have to place the tip of your thumb on the side of the rod to keep it still and at the same time maintain the position of the first stick.
3. Line up the sticks
Once you have acquired the position, be careful not to cross the sticks between them. To avoid this, make sure the posts are well aligned with each other by pressing the tips onto the plate.
4. Practice!
Try opening and closing the sticks to understand the movement and find the right balance. The second wand must move to meet the first, which will always remain stationary.
You can also try running your hand along with the wand and experimenting with different types of grip, moving the handle more or less close to the base until you find the one that works best for you!
5. Go deep with the sushi!
Now that the grip is firm, try taking a piece of sushi off the plate. The perfect inclination is a 45 ° angle of the chopsticks concerning the plate, but pay attention to the pressure: it must not be too much, in order not to risk crushing the rice, nor too slight, or you will never be able to get the sushi to your mouth!
To avoid being mistaken, always keep the V Rule in mind: while using the chopsticks, try to make them form a V. That way, nothing can test your grip, not even the dip in soy sauce!
The extra tip:
Contrary to what happens with cutlery, the same chopsticks use for each course of sushi. When not in use, between one plate and another, do not place them on the plate or table, but put them on the exceptional support.
And now?
Now that you know all the secrets to use chopsticks correctly, it’s time to put down your fork once and for all when eating sushi.
Keep practicing, and if you happen to let go, don’t break down and try again: the skill of wielding chopsticks is a power acquired over time and improves nigiri after nigiri.
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