The art of using Chinese chopsticks

By Philip Mwakio

Ever thought of eating Chinese food with all that goes with it, including the chopsticks?

I got an opportunity last week when I was invited for a Chinese cuisine dinner at the popular Guang Zhou Chinese Restaurant inside the magnificent Sai Rock Beach Hotel.

We arrived just before sunset and were quickly ushered into a well laid out section of the hotel by the general manager, David Langat. Red colour dominated this section and even the seat covers and chandelier lights hanging beautifully from the ceiling had red covers on.

Chef Wilson Maiyo, a specialist in Chinese cuisine, says the meals have become popular especially with non-Chinese.

The food is prepared in small bite-sized pieces ready for eating. For someone used to eating using cutlery or my hands, the sticks present a new challenge all together. Understanding my predicament, Maiyo is at hand to help out.

Right hand rule

He says the pair of sticks used as chopsticks are of equal lengths and are manoeuvred in one hand between the thumb and index fingers. However, it takes expertise to pick food with them.

On the menu for the day was a starter soup with an accompaniment of chicken wings, vegetable spring rolls and vegetable wanton. I was the laughing stock as I struggled to balance the chopsticks. Had it not been for those around, I would have simply walked to the sink and washed my hands.

Chopsticks are traditionally held with the right hand and this greatly proved a bigger challenge to me since I am left-handed. I came to learn that one has to stiffen the hand for a firm grip on the sticks with their pointed edges always pointing down the bowl. Using the index finger, you hold the second stick.

It is advisable for one to keep practicing opening and closing the chopsticks before picking food at a good angle and slightly lifting it up before swallowing.

The main course where the sticks are normally used comprised of mixed vegetables, sweet corn, and vegetable with cashew nuts. I struggled to ensure that I ate as much as I could from the serving bowl.

Learning experience

At the end of it all I figured that I had spent more time on my food than everyone else. But it proved such an experience that given another chance I would not hesitate to try the sticks again.

I also learned that Chinese cuisine have no breakfast hence most of their restaurants open slightly before noon for lunch and remain open up to late in the night for dinner.