There's an event coming up and I'm gonna make pho. I don't love the idea of using lots of plastic forks, and wooden forks are hard to come by here. So to keep things simple, I was thinking of just offering chopsticks... but do you think most people know how to eat with chopsticks? I thought I'd ask in a poll - and would love to hear your thoughts below as well!
-
Pho will be great - use chopsticks for the meat and noodles and drink the broth from the bowl!
-
My parents are ex NYC-ers who were very into authentic Chinese food so I learned at an early age. Most of my non Asian friends and DH just use forks though.
-
I don't think I've ever noticed people eat pho with a fork before. I'm Asian and never regularly used chopsticks at home (ironically, my parents owned a restaurant named Chopsticks). I managed to figure it out and not embarrass myself too often. Maybe grab some rubber bands to tie the tops of the chopsticks together to make it easier for beginners?
-
Have you guys moved back to NYC or are you still in Phillippines? I'd say offer like 10 plastic forks just in case, and the rest is chopsticks... only take out the forks if someone literally ask for it?
Make vietnamese spring rolls and you have no problem... everyone uses their hands!
ETA: To answer your question I don't think I know anyone who literally declares they can't or won't use chopsticks. Most of them all kinda want to show you they know how to use it even at situations that I'd use a fork myself. And of course I am the master level haha
-
There are some things (ie, pretty much any type of noodle dish) that I think are WAY more efficient to eat with chopsticks than with a fork!
I voted Master (although Ive seen people cut with chopsticks in ways I definitely can't!) - DH is only so-so, my parents won't try, my Inlaws try but struggle, and my kids haven't really tried much yet.
-
I try, but I'm not good at it.
-
@irene: We're in the Philippines! Yah I think we'll default to chopsticks and have forks as a backup...
-
@mrbee: What about kids? My son is still getting the hang of them. Or do they have those little converter thingies to help the noobs?
-
@pastemoo: We'll have plastic forks as a backup if someone can't figure it out! I don't think kids will be as much of an issue though, since the event is late at night and pho isn't the most kid-friendly meal. But could be wrong, so we'll have extra plastic forks just in case!!
-
I'm not that good and a few frustrating bites I use my fork to really have a chance to eat.
-
I feel like I shouldn't vote since I'm Chinese and obviously use chopsticks haha. I feel like most people I see in Asian restaurants are okay with chopsticks usage, even kids! Tho with the thing that holds the chopsticks together usually.
-
Yep, and I'm much better at it after spending two weeks in Japan.
-
I wouldn't say I'm a master, but if I'm at a Chinese restaurant, I'm not using a fork.
One of the first times I met DH's best friend was going to his friend's mom's house for hot pot.
Since no one else was using a fork, I forced myself to learn pretty fast. But it would be nice to have forks available just in case. (Which is what they do at his friend's restaurant which is more authentic than carry out. The table isn't set with forks, but you can ask for one)
-
@mrbee: sounds fun!
-
@irene: my DH and in-laws won't use them because they don't know how and find it frustrating.
-
I'm not a Master but I can use them fine. Sometimes I struggle with rice.
When I went to Japan, people kept giving me forks and were shocked that I knew how to use chopsticks.
-
I spent a summer in Japan, so I got real good, real quick! But my husband has never lived in Asia and he's pretty good, as well.
-
one of my LO's favorites is pho! whenever we go LO sticks out two fingers and will say, "chopsticks!"
-
@PinkElephant: I agree about many dishes being so much easier to eat with chopsticks!!
I always eat Pho with chopsticks - I don't really know how you would eat it otherwise as it seems weirder to eat soup with a fork and you can't really eat it with just a spoon. Just my 2 cents.
-
@mrbee: You are making pho? Good luck! I'm Vietnamese and I've made it 3 times. Haha, too much work and my mom or pho shops make it better. I would do it again... if I ever find the time.
I can use chopsticks if that's all they have, but given the choice I grab a fork. I'm Americanized...
-
@yoursilverlining: When we eat at a pho resturant, I eat it with a fork and my white DH eats it with chopsticks.
I'm a slow eater so eating with chopsticks would make even longer to finish.
-
@travellingbee: In my vietnamese family and when I went to Vietnam, it's pretty normal to put the bowl upto your mouth and use the chopsticks to shovel the rice into your mouth. Yeah, you wouldn't pick up grains of rice with chopsticks. In my case, I would grab a fork or a spoon.
-
Yeah, I'm probably a very rare asian that prefers a fork to chopsticks.
-
I suck at it and just embarrass myself and ask for a fork.
-
I try my very, very best..... but I'm just terrible at it!! I had to google what pho is and, umm, no I'd have chance! I could eat big chunks of dry food with it, but not that!! And, oh my god, the thought of drinking the soupy bit straight from the bowl is just mortifying to my English, stiff upper lip sensibilities. I just couldn't!
-
I'm not really a master but I'm pretty good. I learned one summer living in Vietnam and it's like riding a bicycle...you don't forget.
-
yessss.
-
I've tried to use chopsticks for years and always ended up embarrassing myself and would have to ask for a fork. I've stopped even trying now and always just ask for a fork...
Not sure what my issue is with them!
-
When we lived in Vietnam you were offered a spoon and chopsticks. Locals used the spoon with the chopsticks to wind up the noodles, kind of like we do with pasta. It worked well for those of us that were terrible with chopsticks starting out!
-
I just went to an Asian wedding. At our table it was about 50/50 for the people of who needed forks.
Totally proud or myself for only using chopsticks haha
-
I married into a Japanese family, of COURSE I can! My DH made me learn, right before we went to visit his family in Japan 9 years ago, haha!
-
@erinpye: Haha, did you have to move a little pile of rice, one rice grain at a time? That's how I was taught by my Japanese mom!
-
I can..... but I get more on the floor than in my mouth.
-
@mrbee: lol no! He made me eat EVERY meal with chopsticks, leading up to the trip!
When I went to Japan, people kept giving me forks and were shocked that I knew how to use chopsticks.
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
34 comments