In Korea we found that it’s the custom to use stainless-steel chopsticks, bowls, dishes and drinking cups. At virtually all restaurants you’ll have a basket on the table with stainless-steel chopsticks and spoons, and a communal table with cold water, served in small stainless-steel cups.
When we ate at the home of our Korean hosts, they too had the sets of metal chopsticks, beautifully wrapped up in a cloth case. They told us that sometimes for a very special occasion they will bring out a lacquerware set. They don’t, however, use metal bowls, plates or cups.
Korea has a long history of making wonderful ceramics, as do Japan and China, where bowls in restaurants are usually pretty ceramic ones and chopsticks are wood or plastic (these days). So we wondered why Korea uses metal.
Stainless Steel Korean Rice Bowl Kitchen Tableware Wine Sugar Bowls With Handle Sauce Seasoning Bowl Food Containers
It’s generally believed that this tradition dates back to the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). The Joseon kings were always worried about personal security, including poisoning. So they insisted on having their food first tasted by a servant and on using silver chopsticks and bowls, as silver would tarnish if there was a poison.
The custom caught on and was passed down to the common people, but of course they couldn’t afford silver so they turned to other metals. They also discovered another advantage: metal is easy to clean and hard to break.
Makes sense to me, but I have to say that the metal chopsticks are more difficult to use, as the shiny surface doesn’t pick up food as well.
Korean Rice Metal Bowl Stock Photo 542184451
We ate at many different types of restaurants, from fancy to casual, trying an amazing variety of foods. Interestingly, the common denominator was always the metal chopsticks and spoons, frequently a metal rice bowl, and sometimes the metal cups and plates.
Posted in Food, History, Korea, local customs | Tagged chopsticks and bowls in Korea, Joseon Dynasty, metal chopsticks in Korea, origin of metal chopsticks in Korea, why does Korea use metal chopsticks? | 4 Comments
It’s generally believed that this tradition dates back to the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). The Joseon kings were always worried about personal security, including poisoning. So they insisted on having their food first tasted by a servant and on using silver chopsticks and bowls, as silver would tarnish if there was a poison.
The custom caught on and was passed down to the common people, but of course they couldn’t afford silver so they turned to other metals. They also discovered another advantage: metal is easy to clean and hard to break.
Makes sense to me, but I have to say that the metal chopsticks are more difficult to use, as the shiny surface doesn’t pick up food as well.
Korean Rice Metal Bowl Stock Photo 542184451
We ate at many different types of restaurants, from fancy to casual, trying an amazing variety of foods. Interestingly, the common denominator was always the metal chopsticks and spoons, frequently a metal rice bowl, and sometimes the metal cups and plates.
Posted in Food, History, Korea, local customs | Tagged chopsticks and bowls in Korea, Joseon Dynasty, metal chopsticks in Korea, origin of metal chopsticks in Korea, why does Korea use metal chopsticks? | 4 Comments
It’s generally believed that this tradition dates back to the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). The Joseon kings were always worried about personal security, including poisoning. So they insisted on having their food first tasted by a servant and on using silver chopsticks and bowls, as silver would tarnish if there was a poison.
The custom caught on and was passed down to the common people, but of course they couldn’t afford silver so they turned to other metals. They also discovered another advantage: metal is easy to clean and hard to break.
Makes sense to me, but I have to say that the metal chopsticks are more difficult to use, as the shiny surface doesn’t pick up food as well.
Korean Rice Metal Bowl Stock Photo 542184451
We ate at many different types of restaurants, from fancy to casual, trying an amazing variety of foods. Interestingly, the common denominator was always the metal chopsticks and spoons, frequently a metal rice bowl, and sometimes the metal cups and plates.
Posted in Food, History, Korea, local customs | Tagged chopsticks and bowls in Korea, Joseon Dynasty, metal chopsticks in Korea, origin of metal chopsticks in Korea, why does Korea use metal chopsticks? | 4 Comments
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