When you open a takeout box, do you ever subconscious notice the pair of chopsticks next to the food? The simple plain disposable chopsticks exude a natural texture, while the glossy lacquered chopsticks always make people glance twice—don’t underestimate this subtle difference; it may have a bigger impact on your takeout brand image in customers’ minds than you think.

Speaking of which, as an overseas disposable tableware manufacturer, Gorlando works with hundreds of takeout brands every year on chopstick customization needs. Once, we met a client running a Japanese ramen shop who initially insisted on using plain chopsticks, reasoning that “they’re cheap and look simple.” But three months later, they took the initiative to switch to lacquered chopsticks. It turned out that many customers mentioned in their reviews: “The noodles are delicious, but the chopsticks feel low-quality—nothing like what an authentic Japanese restaurant should offer,” and some even doubted the hygiene of the tableware. You see, a single pair of chopsticks can quietly reduce customers’ trust in a brand.

In fact, choosing between plain chopsticks and lacquered chopsticks is never just about “being expensive or not.” We’ve compiled the latest 2025 data and compared the two from dimensions that matter most to takeout brands:

You might wonder: “The cost is almost double—do small brands really need to choose lacquered chopsticks?” Well, it’s not necessary to pick the expensive one; the key is to match your brand positioning. For example, a community-based affordable fast-food brand can use smooth plain chopsticks (polished plain chopsticks) — they offer a better experience than rough plain chopsticks, yet cost less than lacquered ones. For brands focusing on “high-end takeout delivery,” custom lacquered chopsticks (customized lacquered chopsticks) with simple logos can make customers feel “worth the price.”

Actually, we’ve also had clients worried about the environmental friendliness of lacquered chopsticks—but this is no longer a concern now. Gorlando’s eco-friendly lacquered chopsticks use degradable resin for coating, and the base material is FSC-certified sustainable bamboo/wood. After use, they can degrade naturally, meeting environmental standards just like plain chopsticks.

Finally, let’s share an interesting detail: Last year, a milk tea brand printed “Use these chopsticks to pick up your happiness today” on their chopstick packaging, and chose light pink lacquered chopsticks. As a result, many customers took photos and posted them on social media, specifically mentioning “the chopsticks are so cute.” You see, chopsticks for takeout are never just tools; they’re more like a “silent conversation” between the brand and customers—choose the right one, and this conversation will be much more pleasant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Many brand partners we’ve worked with always have practical questions when talking about chopstick selection. Here are some of the most common ones to share with you:

Q1: Will the coating of lacquered chopsticks stick to food? Is it safe?

This is definitely the most concerned question! Food-grade lacquered chopsticks produced by regular manufacturers undergo strict testing—Gorlando’s products, for example, not only meet FDA and EU food contact material standards but also undergo additional high-temperature and oil immersion tests to ensure the coating won’t peel off or migrate when holding hot dishes or sauces. On the contrary, some low-quality plain chopsticks may have residual burrs or wood chips if their surfaces aren’t polished, which might stick to food accidentally.

Q2: For small and medium-sized brands with limited budgets, how to balance chopstick texture and cost?

You don’t have to jump straight to high-end lacquered chopsticks. Try the “basic upgrade” plan: for instance, choose polished plain disposable chopsticks (polished plain disposable chopsticks), which feel smoother than ordinary plain chopsticks but only cost $0.01-$0.02 more per piece. If you want to add a brand touch, you can also customize the chopstick packaging—printing brand slogans or simple patterns is more cost-effective.

Q3: Does the length and thickness of takeout chopsticks matter? Is there a connection with choosing lacquered or plain chopsticks?

It actually does! For example, if you sell hot pot or grilled meat takeout, you’ll need longer chopsticks (23-25cm) to prevent customers from burning their hands when picking up food. At this time, the non-slip coating of lacquered chopsticks is more practical. For sushi or small snacks, shorter plain chopsticks (18-20cm) look more delicate. In most cases, we suggest customers determine the size based on the eating scenario of their core dishes, then match the corresponding chopstick type—after all, being easy to use and scenario-appropriate is what customers truly care about.

Q4: With stricter environmental policies, which is easier to pass environmental certifications: lacquered chopsticks or plain chopsticks?

Nowadays, as long as disposable chopsticks are produced in compliance with regulations, both lacquered and plain ones can meet basic environmental requirements. But if you want to highlight a “sustainable brand” image, we recommend FSC-certified disposable chopsticks—whether plain or eco-friendly lacquered ones, the base material comes from sustainably managed forests. Combined with degradable coatings (for lacquered chopsticks only), they’re more likely to gain consumer recognition. Currently, 80% of Gorlando’s chopstick products have passed FSC certification, which is one of the reasons many overseas clients choose us first.