Are you looking to purchase reusable chopsticks for your home? If so, you've come to the right place. This article will introduce 10 of our favorite reusable chopsticks from Japan. Not all chopsticks are created equal, and here we will only introduce quality, hand-made reusable chopsticks that look great and will last a long time.
The BECOS Guide to Reusable Chopsticks
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Where to buy reusable chopsticks?
Reusable chopsticks are usually fairly easy to get, but finding quality reusable chopsticks is trickier. Outside of east asia, they can be found at asian supermarkets, chain stores like Daiso, or even at big retailers like target. the quality will be cheap, however
If you search online, pages like Amazon will show up first, but be aware that there is a huge disparity in the quality of the reusable chopsticks found there. Generally only larger manufacturers who mass-produce their items can afford to be on such sites.
Searching a site like ours—BECOS—is the best way to find quality reusable chopsticks that you know will be coming straight from a workshop in Japan. Not only is the quality better, but there is a large variety to choose from. ( You can see the full BECOS collection of chopsticks here)
What are the benefits of using reusable chopsticks?
The benefits to using reusable chopsticks are many. One of the biggest benefits is a societal one, as disposable chopstick use is a huge factor leading to deforestation in China, where most of the world's disposable chopsticks are manufactured.
In 2021, Japan imported and threw away 13.8 billion disposable chopsticks, in addition to ones produced locally. Refusing the chopsticks that come with take out and using your own reusable chopsticks instead is a small action that you can take to help the environment.
However, there are other benefits to using reusable chopsticks. For one, they can be beautiful, and can complement a table setting. They also are easier to handle, and are more delicate in the mouth, not leaving behind the taste of wood or distracting from the texture of the food that you are eating.
You can even opt for customizable chopsticks, with an engraving in the handle with your name or other phrase on it. In short, reusable chopsticks are superior to disposable chopsticks in almost every regard.
What is the best material for reusable chopsticks?
The best material for reusable chopsticks is one that is easy to clean, beautiful to look at, and enjoyable to touch. Most Japanese reusable chopsticks are made from bamboo or other wood, coated with lacquer (traditionally) or a more modern coating. Bamboo is favored for its tensile strength yet delicate skinniness, and some of the most expensive reusable chopsticks on BECOS are made from bamboo coated with lacquer.
Another consideration that is important for many is whether or not the reusable chopsticks are dishwasher friendly. Today, there are many great options—even wooden or bamboo chopsticks—that are dishwasher safe. If this is important to you, check out some of the recommend items below.
Our 10 Best Reusable Chopsticks
1. Cherry Wood Reusable Chopsticks with Japanese Joboji Lacquer
These cherry wood reusable chopsticks are the epitome of simple elegance. coated with Joboji lacquer, which is produced in Japan's northern Iwate prefecture, the chopsticks are traditional and 100% made-in-Japan. There are even a range of sizes available, for everyone in the family ages 2 to adult, so they could make for a lovely matching set for the family.
| Price: | $32.64/pair |
| Base Material: | Cherry wood |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
2. Wakasa Lacquerware Hexagonal Bamboo Reusable Chopsticks
This set of his and hers bamboo reusable chopsticks are unique in their incredibly fine tips. This makes it easy to grab even the most delicate morsels, and you hardly feel the chopsticks at all in your mouth. The chopsticks are coated with simple and natural lacquer, and show off the natural shape and beauty of the bamboo.
The sets can also be purchased individually here and here.
| Price: | $204/set of 2 pairs |
| Base Material: | Bamboo |
| Dishwasher Safe? | No |
3. Hand-Painted Night Sky Yoi Reusable Chopsticks
This unique set of reusable chopsticks is hand-painted by an artisan in Fukui prefecture and is intended to look like a starry night sky over the ocean. The "stars" at the top of the handle sparkle as light reflects off of them, creating a truly magical appearance. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they are also quite reasonable and come with a matching chopstick rest!
| Price: | $25.50/pair |
| Base Material: | Natural wood (malas) |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
4. Fuji and Sakura Gold-Painted Wajima Lacquer Reusable Chopsticks
This exquisite set of Wajima Lacquered chopsticks features a delicately hand-painted design of Mt. Fuji and sakura (cherry blossoms) done using a traditional maki-e method. These chopsticks are truly a work of usable art, and can make for a very special gift. Although expensive, they are intended to be used daily, and are even dishwasher safe.
| Price: | $306/pair |
| Base Material: | Japanese cypress |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
5. Sleek Ebony Reusable Chopsticks
This beautiful set of his and hers chopsticks is made from ebony coated with glossy natural lacquer in very traditional red and black colors. The unique pentagon shape of the handle is easy to hold and looks fantastic under any lighting. The set comes with two Hasami ware chopstick rests that complement the simple elegance of the chopsticks.
| Price: | $117.30/set of 2 pairs |
| Base Material: | Ebony |
| Dishwasher Safe? | No |
6. Cherry Wood Chopsticks with Japanese Joboji Lacquer
This set of matching reusable chopsticks and chopstick rests has a cute pattern on the handle that evokes springtime in Japan. The set is a collaboration between a chopstick maker and a glass maker, who hand makes the glass chopstick rests dotted with color reminiscent of cherry blossoms. The set comes in a beautiful wooden box and makes for an excellent gift, as well.
| Price: | $51/set of 2 pairs |
| Base Material: | Natural wood |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
7. Gold Leaf-Encrusted Reusable Chopsticks
This pair of Wajima lacquerware chopsticks is encrusted with real gold leaf and is much more beautiful in person that photos can convey. Ishikawa Prefecture, where the chopsticks are made, is famous throughout Japan for its gold leaf crafts, and these chopsticks are a fine example of a modern use of it. Even though they look too expensive to put in the dishwasher, they are actually dishwasher safe, making them convenient for everyday use.
| Price: | $51/pair |
| Base Material: | Japanese Cypress |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
8. Hashikura Season 01 Colorful Reusable Chopsticks
This delightful collection of reasonably-priced reusable chopsticks are made by a family-run chopstick maker in Fukui Prefecture. These chopsticks were designed with the local people of Obama—the town where the company is located—in mind and feature colors found in the area's nature. Pick the color that calls to you and be ready to fall in love with your new everyday chopsticks.
| Price: | $12.24/pair |
| Base Material: | Natural wood (wenge) |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
9. Gold Banded Lacquered Reusable Chopsticks
This pair of lacquered reusable chopsticks features a refined design of painted gold bands that are partially concealed beneath the lacquer on the surface. They are subtly beautiful, and the smooth feeling of the lacquer in your hand as you hold them is wonderful. If you're searching for a pair of reusable chopsticks that are reasonable yet refined, these are a great option.
| Price: | $25.50/pair |
| Base Material: | Japanese cypress |
| Dishwasher Safe? | Yes |
10. Natural Color Wooden Reusable Chopsticks
This set of his and hers reusable chopsticks is designed to draw the focus to the natural beauty of the wood itself. The darker pair is made from ebony, a naturally dark wood, while the light pair is made from satine, an exotic wood with a naturally deep, red color tone. If simple and natural chopsticks are what you are looking for, this set is an attractive option.
| Price: | $102/set of 2 pairs |
| Base Material: | Ebony, Satine |
| Dishwasher Safe? | No |
Use Quality Reusable Chopsticks at your Dinner Table
We hope this article has inspired you to choose a high quality pair of reusable chopsticks. As an everyday object, owning chopsticks that you are excited to use is a nice way to enhance your mealtimes. We encourage you to consider handmade chopsticks from Japan, which will last a long time and are made by artisans who have passion for their craft.