Makan Pantang
A cutlery set designed based on Chinese superstition.
In collaboration with
Little Thoughts Group
Photo Credits
Cause & Effect Studio
Cause & Effect Studio
Year
2013
Behind each of these utensils lie a Chinese folktale passed down from generation to generation, aiming to cultivate good dining etiquette.
This project was exhibited in the Singapore National Museum.
Eat all your rice! Growing up, our parents often tell us to finish up every last grain of rice or each grain that remains equate to a pockmark on your future spouse’s face. As one finishes their food, the face in the bowl serves as a subtle yet delightful reminder to not waste food.
There is a saying amongst old Chinese sailors to never flip the fish during a meal as this infers the capsizing of their boat, later translated to business belief of misfortune. This plate is designed to hold the fish at a wedged angle; thus diners can eat both sides of the fish without having to flip it!
Taking visual cues from the Chinese junk boat, the curved profile of the plate holds the gravy while the perforated stand supports the fish, enabling steam to circulate.
Taking visual cues from the Chinese junk boat, the curved profile of the plate holds the gravy while the perforated stand supports the fish, enabling steam to circulate.
It is considered bad manners to have your spoon sit facing down. The spoon is design to sit firmly upright with a deep cavity to hold food.
How you hold your chopsticks is a reflection of your dining etiquette. The Chinese believe that the position of your fingers relative to the ends of the chopsticks indicate how far one needs to travel to find their future spouse.
Chopsticks need to be identical and one should never stick their chopsticks vertically in a rice bowl as it resembles the joss sticks used in Chinese funerals. A simple top-bottom symmetrical form with a notch for fingers ensure that users will always use their chopsticks perfectly.
Chopsticks need to be identical and one should never stick their chopsticks vertically in a rice bowl as it resembles the joss sticks used in Chinese funerals. A simple top-bottom symmetrical form with a notch for fingers ensure that users will always use their chopsticks perfectly.
The napkin is design based on the belief that shaking your leg during meal will shake your wealth away. The bell attached to the napkin serves as a not so subtle reminder to both the user and other diners, stopping one from shaking.
