Chopsticks originated in ancient China as early as the Shang dynasty (1766-1122 BCE).

The earliest evidence of a pair of chopsticks, made of bronze, was excavated from the Ruins of Yin near Anyang, Henan, dated roughly 1200 BCE.

The earliest known extant textual reference to the use of chopsticks comes from the Han Feizi, a philosophical text written by Han Fei (c. 280-233 BCE) in the 3rd century BCE.

The first chopsticks were probably used for cooking, stirring the fire, serving or seizing bits of food, and not as eating utensils. Chopsticks began to be used as eating utensils during the Han Dynasty. Chopsticks were considered more lacquerware friendly than other sharp eating utensils.

It was not until the Ming Dynasty that chopsticks came into normal use for both serving and eating. They then acquired the name kuaizi and the present shape.