If you're planning a fantastic Chinese feast this weekend for Chinese New Year, don't fret one bit if you're a little (or a lot) rusty with chopsticks. You could, of course, go the way of stabbing your dumplings and winding your noodles of long life with a fork, but we have a better idea. How about some chopsticks are a little easier to use?Now, if you're a already a professional, then you might just need your own personal set of portable chopsticks. These aluminum chopsticks slide out of a fabric pouch and snap together. Not only are they pretty, but this keeps away the problem of disposable chopsticks creating waste! ThinkGeek also has a pair that screw together.
For an even more "green" Far East feast, the Bird's Eye Maple chopsticks are perfect, which are also fastened together with their very own chopstick rest. They are available from Porterhouse Crafts for $23 for two pairs. A combination of both metal and wood, Snow Peak Chopsticks are portable in their own pouch, with a wooden half that slides into a metal half to create a pair of 8¾" chopsticks. One pair is $24.95.
Now for the rookies -- there are chopsticks that work like clothespins with the "lever" action making a pair of chopsticks as simple as pinching a pair of tweezers. Chiasso's chopsticks are actually built exactly like clothespins, and come in six colors - perfect for a family. For the wee ones, the Wexner Center has chopsticks designed especially for children that are smaller and easier to handle. The chopsticks from the Japanese American Museum Store look as artful as they are functional, and can even be used in place of metal tongs for serving. And of course, if you just want to make fun of someone, you can go with the "forkchops," available from Stupid.com.
Happy New Year!
