On August 16, 2026, South Korean media outlet Korea Economic Daily reported that "Vietnamese media focused on and introduced in detail the Korean custom of not holding bowls while eating."

According to Vietnamese online media 'VN Express,' Korean food culture recently garnered attention after a Korean-American chef compared Korea, Vietnam, China, and Japan on social media.

According to the chef, "In Vietnam, China, and Japan, it is common to hold the bowl with one hand while eating, but in traditional Korean dining etiquette, it is considered good practice not to lift rice or soup bowls, and children are taught this from a young age. Actions such as sticking chopsticks vertically into rice or starting a meal before elders should also be avoided. These rules are particularly important in formal settings," he explained.

He also cited 'sujeo,' a Korean unique long-handled spoon and chopstick set, as one of the reasons for these cultural differences, stating, "Since both rice and soup are brought to the mouth with a spoon, there is no need to intentionally lift the bowl with one's hand."

Experts suggest that this custom of "eating rice with a spoon" led to the perception that lifting bowls is a breach of etiquette, and the style of eating dishes other than rice while leaving them on the table has also become established.

According to the article, there is also a theory that the composition of meals played a role. In the past, the ruling classes on the Korean Peninsula and in China ate with spoons, but in northern China, noodles and bread made from wheat flour became staple foods around the 7th century, and the use of chopsticks gradually became prevalent. In contrast, because the Korean Peninsula was not suitable for wheat cultivation, the food culture of grains, soups, and side dishes continued, and as a result, the culture of using both spoons and chopsticks has been maintained.

There is also a view that metal bowls are related. In the past, the Korean royal family and upper classes used bowls made of an alloy of 78% copper and 22% tin. These were durable and could be disinfected with hot water, but their high thermal conductivity made them difficult to hold by hand when containing hot food. As metal production increased, brass bowls spread to general households.

Furthermore, among common people, there is also a theory that "the act of holding a rice bowl in one's hand was associated with the appearance of poor people or beggars."

In response to this article, South Korean netizens offered various comments, such as "Look at the tableware from the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. They're too heavy to hold," "It's said that eating with a bowl in hand is for beggars," "Westerners don't hold their bowls. Eating with a bowl in hand is crude," "Considering hygiene, it's better to hold it," "Koreans are dexterous, so they can eat without spilling while leaving the tableware on the table. Other countries are clumsy, so they probably started holding their bowls," "It's best if you can eat without spilling," and "Enough with tradition, tradition. If it tastes good, that's all that matters." (Translation/Editing: Asa-e)