[Hallyupedia] Jeotgarak (젓가락)

by Yun Ji Hyun / Cha Min Kyung

Jeotgarak
[ENG] Chopsticks

▲ This photo provided by The National Folk Museum of Korea shows a pair of Korean chopsticks. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Chopsticks or 'Jeot-ga-rak' in Korean, are tools made of two thin short pieces of wood or metal that are used to pick up food or objects. 'Su-jeo' on the other hand, refers to a set of eating utensils which includes a spoon and a pair of chopsticks. The word 'Su-jeo (수저)' is a combination of the words '숟가락·[sut-ga-rak],' which means spoon, and '젓가락·[jeot-ga-rak].'

 

▲ This photo shows a steaming bowl of rice next to a set of eating utensils called 'su-jeo.'

In Asian countries, chopsticks are usually used instead of forks.

◇ The differentiation of chopstick cultures from various countries
Apart from Korea, countries like China, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand have all used chopsticks early on due to the prominent rice culture in the respective countries.

The appearance and usage of chopsticks vary slightly from country to country.

Out of all, Chinese chopsticks are known to be the longest in length and stubby at the end. Since many Chinese foods use hot oil, utilizing long chopsticks can reduce the risk of burning one's hand. It is also presumed that Chinese people use long chopsticks to help them reach food that are placed far away from them as they usually sit in wide and round tables.

Chinese chopsticks are mainly made of wood, which is useful to prevent oily food from slipping off the chopsticks due to high friction.

On the other hand, chopsticks used in Japan are relatively shorter and have a pointy tip at the end. This type of chopstick shape is useful for removing bones from fishes that are enjoyed by Japanese people.

 

▲ This photo taken on July 6, 2010, shows a plate of sushi with wooden chopsticks. (Yonhap)

In Japan, people only use chopsticks to pick up and eat their food. When people eat soup, they typically eat the solid ingredients with chopsticks and drink the soup straight from the bowl. For this reason, soups are put in small and light bowls.

Korea, is the only country out of Korea China and Japan that use stainless metal chopsticks. Wooden chopsticks are used mainly for takeout food or disposable use, and most households utilize stainless steel sets of eating utensils.

In Korea, spoons and chopsticks are used together for meals, and dishes that include both rice and soup are eaten with a concave spoon while the rest of the side dishes are eaten with chopsticks.

The length of Korean chopsticks is in between the lengths of Chinese and Japanese chopsticks, and has a slightly flat shape at the tip.

◇ Recent Issue: K-pop superstar BTS and chopsticks
K-pop juggernaut BTS have recently and unintentionally spread the Korean food culture in various aspects worldwide. One of the Korean food cultures that went viral on the internet was BTS' use of chopsticks.

The frequent use of chopsticks by BTS members were shown through YouTube videos of them eating meals or snacks behind the stages and in their daily lives.

 

▲ This photo captured from a video uploaded on the official YouTube channel for BTS, BANGTANTV, shows member Jung Kook eating a piece of his birthday cake with a pair of chopsticks. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

The videos which showed BTS members eating not only rice and side dishes, but also hot dogs, cakes, and even pizza with chopsticks caught the attention of many foreign fans.

 

▲ This photo captured from a live broadcast video uploaded on V Live, a South Korean live video streaming service, shows BTS member Jimin (left) eating a hot dog using chopsticks and member Jin (right). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Numerous BTS fans--known as Army--who were from foreign countries showed confused yet interested responses, saying, "I've never thought to eat hot dogs with chopsticks, but I should try it out," and "I can't believe cakes could be eaten with chopsticks."

Since then, interest in chopsticks from different Armys increased to the point where people share different ways to use chopsticks like BTS and post reviews after using chopsticks themselves.

In the past, chopsticks were used by Western pop culture as a means of belittling the Eastern culture. However, BTS is said to have eliminated such prejudice and instead raised the value of chopsticks.

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