Ishida Chopsticks, Mangrove Wood, 23cm
225mm Japanese chopsticks in dark red mangrove wood: the standard adult length, light in the hand, and cheap enough to lay a whole table.
Ishida's mangrove chopsticks are cut from kōju (紅樹), the Asian mangrove, a hard wood with a deep red-brown colour and a visible natural grain. At 225mm (sold as 23cm) they sit at the standard adult length, and they taper in the Japanese way towards the tips for picking up small pieces of fish and rice. Plain wood, no fuss, and priced for restaurants that need dozens of pairs as much as for a home drawer.
Why Chefs Choose This
- Right length: 225mm is the everyday adult size, comfortable for most hands at the table
- Hard, durable wood: mangrove is dense and holds up to daily use and washing better than soft, light woods
- Looks the part: the dark red grain sits well with black lacquer, stoneware and plain white plates alike
- Easy to stock: a low price per pair makes it simple to kit out a dining room and replace as you go
How to Use
- Everyday meals: rice, noodles, sushi, grilled fish and anything served in small pieces
- Restaurant tables: lay a pair at every place setting, on a hashioki (chopstick rest) if you have them
- Learning to use chopsticks: wood grips food better than polished plastic or metal, which helps beginners
- Care after use: hand wash in warm water and dry straight away, then store dry
Hashi (箸) are part of every Japanese meal, and they differ from the Chinese style: shorter, lighter and tapering to finer points, shaped for a cuisine built around rice, fish and small, carefully cut pieces. Each person traditionally has their own pair, and wood remains the most common material at home because it is warm to hold and grips food well. Kōju (紅樹), literally "red tree", is the Japanese name for mangrove, and it is the wood's colour that gives these chopsticks their look.
Learn more: All You Need to Know About Chopsticks
How long should chopsticks be?
A traditional Japanese rule of thumb is hitoata-han (一咫半): one and a half times the span between your outstretched thumb and forefinger. For most adults that lands between about 21 and 23.5cm, which is why 225mm is such a common length. Shorter pairs suit children and smaller hands; longer pairs, such as saibashi, are for cooking and serving rather than eating. If you are buying for a dining room, the standard adult length is the safe choice.
Product Details
| Type | Eating chopsticks (箸, hashi) |
| Brand | Ishida |
| Material | Mangrove wood (紅樹, kōju) |
| Length | 225mm (sold as 23cm) |
| Colour | Natural dark red-brown with visible grain |
| Origin | Japan |
| Care | Hand wash and dry immediately. Not for the dishwasher or soaking |
Can wooden chopsticks go in the dishwasher?
No. Long soaks, hot water and dishwasher detergent dry out and split wood over time and can dull the colour. Wash them by hand in warm, soapy water, rinse, and dry them with a cloth straight away. Stored dry, a pair of mangrove chopsticks will last far longer than you would expect for the price.
How do I keep wooden chopsticks in good condition?
Keep them dry between uses and store them somewhere with air around them rather than in a damp drawer. If the wood starts to look pale or dry, a very light wipe with a food-safe oil and a buff with a clean cloth brings the grain back. Replace any pair that splinters or cracks.
Are these good for restaurant use?
Yes. They are a plain, hard-wearing pair at the standard adult length, and the low price per pair means you can buy enough for a full dining room plus spares. Hand wash them rather than running them through the glasswasher, and rotate stock so no single set takes all the wear.
SKU : T0143