Photo by Jessica Spengler

Unless you are some sort of hyper-organized Kondo type, it is likely your kitchen has a “junk drawer” and, among the ketchup and duck sauce packets, that there are a few pairs of chopsticks in there. It’s time to fish them out, friends, for chopsticks are an infinitely useful kitchen tool that can be used in almost every stage of making a meal.


Basically, chopsticks are smaller, more precise tongs, but their uses go beyond grabbing bits of food. (As such, I always hoard any extras that come with my takeout.) Some of my favorite uses for chopsticks include:

Scrambling eggs: I’m a big fan of custardy eggs with super small curds, and plain, wooden chopsticks help you achieve this without scratching your nonstick pan

I’m a big fan of custardy eggs with super small curds, and plain, wooden chopsticks help you achieve this without scratching your Cooking rice: Using just a chopstick, you can determine the exact amount of water you need to add to your pot of rice to make sure it comes out perfectly every time. ( A.A. Newton can walk you through the process here

Using just a chopstick, you can determine the exact amount of water you need to add to your pot of rice to make sure it comes out perfectly every time. ( Frying: When deep frying, little bits of food falling to the bottom of the pan is somewhat inevitable, but they can be saved from their charred fate with the humble chopstick. (If getting your hands that close to oil makes you skittish, consider grabbing an extra-long pair

When deep frying, little bits of food falling to the bottom of the pan is somewhat inevitable, but they can be saved from their charred fate with the humble chopstick. (If getting your hands that close to oil makes you skittish, consider grabbing Plating: Owning a pair of plating tweezers is just a bit much, but artfully plating your food

Owning a pair of plating tweezers is just a bit much, but Checking in: Fishing out a single noodle or chunk of potato to test for done-ness is more easily achieved with a couple of nimble chopsticks than with a pair of large tongs.

Fishing out a single noodle or chunk of potato to test for done-ness is more easily achieved with a couple of nimble chopsticks than with a pair of large tongs. Keeping clean: My fingers are short, chubby, and prone to getting sticky when exposed to food. As such, chopsticks are my preferred method for fishing tiny pickles and olives out of jars, tossing salads, and even eating cheesy snacks


Beyond all of these somewhat specialized uses, they’re also great food flippers. They also make pretty good skewers, and who doesn’t love eating things off sticks? What are some of your favorite ways to use chopsticks in the kitchen?

Note: This story frames chopsticks as something that’s not in everyday use in people’s kitchens. We have heard from readers who have pointed out that this framing depicts the experience of a huge swath of people as outside the norm. We hear and appreciate their feedback. We regret any pain this post has caused, and commit to do better in the future.