Chopsticks and how to choose nicer ones?

[SeattleBen]

We eat off chopsticks about four days a week. We've historically just bought the 20 pack from VietWah but maybe looking for other nicer ones. How have you selected yours for those of you who use them regularly. FWIW we appear to prefer the Chinese shaped ones and really dislike Korean chopsticks. They always feel so heavy and you'd think the flatness would make it easier but it really just doesn't at all. Or at least that's what it's like for us. In any event thanks for any insight anyone has.

 

[Corradobrit1]

These are nicely made

https://www.eatingtools.com/chopsticks/152-azmaya-ebony-wood-chopsticks.html

Bunch of other designs on the site too. Not a fan of metal tipped chopsticks either

https://www.eatingtools.com/search?...y=desc&search_query=chopsticks&submit_search=

 

[madelinez]

Be very careful clicking that eating tools link. The best analogy I can think of is the cave from the movie Aladdin.

 

[rickbern]

This may be a little less spendy

https://www.korin.com/tableware/chopsticks-and-flatware/reusable-chopsticks

 

[SeattleBen]

Thanks everyone. I’m going to open the door now.

 

[chemicalstar]

https://www.muji.us/store/catalogsearch/result/?q=chopsticks

I have been using Muji chopsticks for years and can swear by them.

 

[TRPV4]

no nice ones at asian supermarket? I don't like the korean ones either

 

[WildBoar]

We have a couple pairs that Randy Haas made a few years back from koa. They work just fine, and their looks are unique.

 

[CiderBear]

I get packs of 4 pairs of cute Japanese ones from Daiso for about $3 or so each pack. Too bad there's no Daiso in the DMV area

 

[Corradobrit1]

I get packs of 4 pairs of cute Japanese ones from Daiso for about $3 or so each pack. Too bad there's no Daiso in the DMV area

Love Daiso. So many nice kitchen nick knacks at a reasonable cost.

 

[Qapla']

Here's an article with a whole bunch of links on the subject.

https://www.eater.com/2018/10/19/17948952/buying-chopsticks-according-to-experts

 

[megapuff5]

I bought some nice ones cheap from taobao

 

[nonoyes]

At these prices you could almost buy a fork.

 

[lemeneid]

No honyaki chopsticks no party!

 

[LuvDog]

Korean chopsticks made of metal are definitely difficult to use.

I prefer Japanese style over Chinese though. The wide/flat ends of Chinese chopsticks make picking up small items more difficult.

 

[panda]

ive never given much thought, im perfectly fine with cheap disposable ones that fray everywhere when you pull them apart to fancy heavy ones.. makes no difference to me.

 

[Paraffin]

My wife bought some nice stainless steel metal ones, and some nice lacquered wood ones that she uses for our Asian-ish meals at home.

I don't use those. I like decent cheap bamboo chopsticks that can be cleaned enough times and then replaced with new ones if they get too furry. Not the break-apart disposable after one use kind, just good simple bamboo chopsticks. I like the feel of raw wood under my fingers, and they have a better grip on slippery food for me than smoother finishes.

 

[SeattleBen]

The ones we use in general are raw bamboo from the local Vietnamese grocery.

 

[Moooza]

I believe these are used by the king of japan. The limited edition ones are stunning

http://www.marunao.com/cms_en/products/pro_category/superb/

 

[Corradobrit1]

I believe these are used by the king of japan. The limited edition ones are stunning

http://www.marunao.com/cms_en/products/pro_category/superb/

Those are prob the best chopsticks I've seen. Also one of the best/slickest makers websites full-stop. Whoever they hired did a stunning job.

 

[erickso1]

I picked up 3 pairs of different shape and wood from Mark @ Burl Source back in 2014. Love them. Use the cheap disposable sticks at work and my sticks at home.

 

[Michi]

Those are prob the best chopsticks I've seen. Also one of the best/slickest makers websites full-stop. Whoever they hired did a stunning job.

Yes, nice site. But I can't find either pricing or ordering information. And no retailers Down Under, it seems

 

[Corradobrit1]

Yes, nice site. But I can't find either pricing or ordering information. And no retailers Down Under, it seems

Not uncommon. Pricing is very much a local thing. I found pricing on the authorized distributor websites. There are a couple in the US. Maybe they can ship to Australia. The one in Houston is primarily an on-line store but they just opened a B&M in the Galleria.

 

[Michi]

There are a couple in the US. Maybe they can ship to Australia. The one in Houston is primarily an on-line store but they just opened a B&M in the Galleria.

Do you have a link?

 

[parbaked]

Do you have a link?

Coutelier Nola sells them...starting at $95 a pair. The nicer ones are $185 & $195...
https://couteliernola.com/tools-accessories/?sort=pricedesc

 

[Corradobrit1]

Do you have a link?

https://www.ikijapan.com

 

[Corradobrit1]

Coutelier Nola sells them...starting at $95 a pair. The nicer ones are $185 & $195...
https://couteliernola.com/tools-accessories/?sort=pricedesc

Cheaper? Think $45
https://couteliernola.com/marunao-eight-sided-chopsticks-standard-ebony-235mm/

And they ship international

 

[Michi]

Cheaper here

Thank you!

 

[SeattleBen]

Thanks for all this info. KKF for the win.

 

[Yet-Another-Dave]

Wow, for those kind of prices the "ridiculously over priced" Bridge City Tool Works' Chopstick Master might be an option. It's basically a work holding device and special plane that makes cutting the facets accurately a simple task and allows you to use blanks of any type of wood to make your own chopsticks. Honestly the only challenge is getting & keeping the plane blade sharp, but that's trivial compared to a kitchen knife. (Note there's nothing you couldn't do with regular woodworking tools and a lot of setup, hence the "ridiculously over priced" stigma.)

Here's the designer's BLOG Post about the public introduction. I love the quote: “Giant white guy came to China to teach us chopstick making. THANK YOU!”. There is other info on that site too.