How Eating Utensils are Used in Southeast Asia

Westerners often incorrectly assume that Asians eat all their food with chopsticks. In most parts of Southeast Asia, chopsticks are reserved primarily for noodle dishes. Those unfamiliar with Southeast Asian culture are often surprised by the unique use of the spoon and fork together to scoop up food as it’s eaten. Europeans introduced these implements, and the locals created their own style of use. The spoon is held in the dominant hand, and the other hand holds the fork. Once you’ve tried this ingenious method yourself, it will become quickly apparent how very practical this utensil adaptation is. Asians tend to avoid putting sharp utensils, such as forks, in their mouths. So the spoon is used to convey the food to the palate.