Chopstick rests are an indispensable part of the Japanese dining table. Some people may have chopsticks but not chopstick rests, but when you learn the meaning and importance of having chopstick rests, you will surely want to have one.

What are chopsticks rests?

A chopstick rest is something that you can rest your chopsticks on while eating. They come in a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and ceramic.

What to use it for?

Placing chopsticks on a chopstick rest has various advantages.

Using a chopstick rest prevents the chopsticks from directly touching the table, luncheon mat, or tray, making it more hygienic.

It can also prevent passing chopsticks over dishes in the middle of a meal. Placing chopsticks on top of dishes signals the end of a meal, so it is good manners to place them on a chopstick rest when resting chopsticks.

Furthermore, chopstick rests are an essential table coordination accessory. It can prevent your table from getting bored of looking the same all the time, and it can also change the atmosphere.

Without chopsticks rests

With a chopsticks rest

Changing the color of the chopstick rests will change the impression of your dining table.

In addition, in Japan, where people value food, a proper meal and a proper dining table are very important, and chopstick rests also play a role in giving a proper feeling to the dining.

Many people use different kinds of chopstick rests depending on the season and the cuisine, and many people have several kinds.

Who

There is a mindset in Japan that chopsticks are not meant to be shared with others, and even family members are discouraged from sharing chopsticks. Chopstick rests, on the other hand, can be shared among family members.

How

If you are right-handed, the chopstick rest should be in front of your left hand; if you are left-handed, the chopstick rest should be in front of your right hand.

Some attentive sushi restaurants and ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants) look at which hand the customer pulls the chair with when sitting down to determine the customer’s dominant hand and decide where to place the chopstick rest.

Placing the tips of the chopsticks directly on the chopstick rest is not hygienic, so place the chopsticks so that they stick out 2 to 3 centimeters from the chopstick rest.

Recommended chopsticks rests

Animal motifs for those who love animals

For those who like elegant designs, high quality, and simple designs

This kind of chopstick rest for those who want to add a seasonal touch

Traditional Japanese designs

Unique chopstick rests

In restaurants and izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) where chopstick rests are not provided, you can fold the chopstick rests from the bag that contained the disposable chopsticks.

You can also use the bottom part of the chopsticks as a chopstick rest by breaking off the bottom part of the chopsticks.

Comment

The atmosphere of a dining changes a lot when there is a chopstick rest. Personally, I also feel that restaurants that use chopstick rests are very attentive.

Even if we don’t carry them, we can find and import them if you send us a photo.

Please try to find your favorite chopstick rest.