Why is eating rice with a large bowl and spoon so rare in China and Japan?

Hara Shidho

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Lives in Japan (1984–present) 23h

Why is eating rice with a large bowl and spoon so rare in China and Japan but quite common in Korea, Vietnam and SEA countries? Is there any reason behind it?

This has to do with the stickiness of the rice.

The rice eaten in Japan is mainly japonica rice, which is sticky enough that it does not spill over when a certain amount of it is picked up with chopsticks.

It is not that unusual to use chopsticks for rice in similar eating places.

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Even the indica variety has stickier rice. It is glutinous rice. Where this is eaten as a meal, sometimes not even a spoon is used.

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There are many ways to eat rice in China. In dishes where the rice is less sticky, the use of a spoon is considered the norm.

These dishes are also found in Japan and are spooned in the same way. Other dishes that are eaten with less sticky sauces also use spoons.