Culinary Etiquette

First-time visitors to homes and restaurants in Malaysia and Singapore are often surprised to see such prolific use of Western utensils. Chopsticks are customary for noodle dishes and Chinese or Malay dishes that are easily picked up. But usually the joint effort of a fork and a spoon is used to gather rice and sauce together. The fork is used to push the foods onto the spoon, from which the food is eaten. Indians, Malays, and Nonyas often eat with their fingers. Only the right hand is used. The left hand is considered impure, as it is used for bathing and washing.