![[Chilmong] Korean Ottchil Wooden Chopstick Set - Natural Brown](http://global.gochujar.com/cdn/shop/products/Chilmong-Chopsticks-aa.png?v=1661828192)
[Chilmong] Korean Ottchil Wooden Chopstick Set - Natural Brown
K-Ribbon Selection Winner
[Chilmong] Korean Ottchil Wooden Chopstick Set - Natural Brown
Today, we’re excited to introduce Chilmong!
Chilmong is a local artisan ottchil lacquerware brand that has earned the prestigious “K-Ribbon Selection” label by the Korean govt.
The "K-Ribbon Selection" is a prestigious recognition for artisans and craftsmen in South Korea. It recognizes products of exceptional quality, innovation, and excellence across various domains, including ottchil lacquerware.
What distinguishes Chilmong from cheaper brands is their superb craftsmanship and use of Korea's top-grade ottchil.
All of Chilmong's chopsticks, spoons, and tea ware are handmade, not mass-produced in factories!
Ottchil lacquering is renowned for its labor-intensive nature, demanding considerable time, patience, and skill.
Each layer of ottchil must be skillfully applied and given time to dry before the next layer can be added. This intricate process can span several weeks or even months, as each layer requires adequate time to cure and harden effectively.
Mastering this traditional Ottchil technique requires decades of apprenticeship.
As mentioned, Chilmong uses top-grade Ott sap sourced from Wonju Province, Korea.
(This Wonju Ottchil sap is 12 times more expensive than the mass-produced Chinese Ott sap)
Wonju Ottchil sap produces a hard, durable, and smooth varnish that effectively seals the wood from moisture.
Once the Ottchil coating is applied, moisture or leftover micro food particles cannot penetrate the surface, effectively preventing bacteria from infiltrating the wood's pores.
This ensures that the chopsticks do not rot, discolor, or harbor bacteria, thereby guaranteeing a hygienic utensil (99.9% anti-bacterial surface).
This is why Ottchil has long been known as the best material for tableware in Korea.
Chilmong offers a variety of chopsticks, each featuring varying layers of Ottchil coating and differences in Wonju Ottchil concentration.
This is their standard collection.
It comes with 6 layers of base Ottchil lacquer.
Plus an extra 3 layers of Ottchil lacquer are applied to the tips of the chopsticks and the edges of the spoon - to enhance durability against daily wear.
This collection is offered in natural brown - without any color ottchil. It's perfect for those who prefer a simple, minimal design.
Lacquered natural wood utensils look great on any dining table!
If you're searching for traditional Korean item that are both useful and aesthetically pleasing, this is an excellent choice.
Please handwash and avoid scraping against abrasive surfaces (or biting into them).
Note: Gochujar is an authorized seller of Chilmong products. All items are certified authentic and shipped directly from Chilmong - no middlemen.
Customer Reviews
I have used these everyday since I
got them a few weeks ago because they're not only smooth, light, balanced, warm, and beautiful but easy to clean. Sometimes I feel like metal chopsticks cut into my hands, and of course metal spoons get hot. Not a problem with these.
I recently purchased a set of wooden chopstick and really enjoyed using them. The handle on both chopsticks and spoon provides good grip and proves easy to wash after meals. I’ll use these well for hopefully a long time!
why oh why aren't the chopsticks sold alone? You have to buy the SET? In order to get the chopsticks, I bought the set and the bowl of the soup spoon is maddeningly small. Isn't Korea a soup culture? When you look at the metal chopstick and spoon sets, the spoon is appropriately sized for guk. Not here. Tiny spoon, you'll be eating soup for hours. The chopsticks are strangely light and have no heft to them. They look a lot like the ones sold in stores for $6 for a dozen. But I'll trust that they are different.
Product Highlights
- Handcrafted Premium Korean Ottchil Chopstick Set, Lacquered with Exquisite Ottchil from Wonju Province
- Chilmong is the recipient of the prestigious "K-Ribbon Selection" label by the Korean Government
- Certified free of toxic substances - safe for daily use
- Ideal weight & length (24cm) for eating meals
- Set includes: 1 Spoon + Pair of Chopsticks
- Available in a natural, brown color
[Chilmong] Korean Ottchil Chopstick Set - Natural Brown
Ottchil is a traditional Korean lacquer art form
It involves applying natural lacquer to a variety of objects, including bowls, cutlery, boxes, and furniture
The lacquer is obtained from Korean Ott trees
When extracted, the thick liquid sap starts brown but becomes translucent after refinement - making it suitable as a finishing layer.
Ottchil forms a coated film that is resilsient against spills and stains
Before refrigeration, ottchil containers were utilized to preserve food, offering moisture-proof, water-proof, insect-repellent, and anti-bacterial properties
Unlike plastic or stainless steel, Ottchil is naturally derived and inherently non-toxic
With Ottchil-ware, you steer clear of ingesting any micro-plastics or toxic particles from scratched metallic surfaces
Chilmong's products are skillfully handcrafted, not mass-produced in factories!
The ottchil lacquering process is renowned for its labor-intensive nature, requiring considerable time, patience, and craftsmanship
Each layer of ottchil must be carefully applied and allowed to dry before the next layer can be added
This process can take several weeks or even months, as each layer needs time to cure and harden properly
The ottchil process requires skill and precision to avoid imperfections such as bubbles, drips, or uneven coatings
Ottchil artisans undergo years of apprenticeship and practice to master this traditional technique
Awarded the prestigious "K-Ribbon Selection" label by the Korean Government
The "K-Ribbon Selection" award from the Korean Government is a prestigious recognition for artisans and craftsmen in South Korea
This award recognizes products of exceptional quality, innovation, and excellence across various fields, including traditional crafts like ottchil lacquerware.
Detailed Information
Spoon : 4.2 cm (width) x 24 cm (length)
Chopsticks : 1.5 cm (width) x 24 cm (length)
Material: Korean Schimidt Birch Tree (참박달나무) / Natural Ottchil Lacquer (천연 옻칠)
Handmade in Korea
How many layers of Ottchil are applied and where?
Six layers of Ottchil are applied to the body of the chopstick and spoon
Additionally, three layers of reinforced Ottchil coating are applied to the tips of the chopsticks and the edges of the spoon for added protection
Our Ottchil lacquer is made with top-grade Ott sap from Wonju Province, Korea
4kg of Wonju Ott costs ~₩3,000,000 KRW (~$2,200 USD)
Comparatively, 4kg of Chinese Ott costs ~₩250,000 KRW (~$185 USD)
Korean Wonju Ott Sap is twelve times more expensive than the commonly used Chinese Ott Sap.
How does this product compare to other Chilmong products?
Natural Type
6 layers of base Ottchil* lacquer
3 additional layers of reinforced Ottchil lacquer
(*Applied Ottchil mixture contains at least 10% premium-grade Wonju Ottchil)
Half-Sleeve Type
10 layers of Ottchil* lacquer
6 additional layers of reinforced Ottchil lacquer
(*Applied Ottchil mixture contains at least 70% premium-grade Wonju Ottchil)
Premium Galaxy Set & Premium Wave Set
10 layers of Ottchil* lacquer
6 additional layers of reinforced Ottchil lacquer
(*Applied Ottchil mixture contains at least 80% premium-grade Wonju Ottchil)
Chilmong's Ottchil cutlery is certified-free of toxic substances
Free from Arsenic, Lead, Sulfur Dioxide, Ortho-PhenylPhenol, Thiabendazole, Biphenyl, Imazalil
Chilmong's Ottchil cutlery is 99.9% anti-bacterial
Within 24 hours, Chilmong cutlery surfaces exhibit a 99.9% reduction in bacteria
Ottchil naturally develops an antibacterial surface, eliminating the need for disinfection through boiling or UV exposure
Why use Chilmong Ottchil Chopsticks?
✓ Ottchil chopsticks are anti-bacterial - ensuring worry-free, hygienic use.
✓ Wooden chopsticks are gentle on cookware surfaces, preventing scratches
✓ Say goodbye to the sound of metal cutlery scraping against plates
✓ Makes for a beautiful, traditional Korean gift
We've researched and tested different types of Korean woods to identify the best choice for daily cutlery
We rated based on three key requirements:
Non-toxic wood - the wood should not contain or leach toxic substances
Small, fine pores - within the wood to restrict moisture/liquid aborption
Dense, heavy wood - to provide hardness, durability and strength for utensils
We selected Korean Schimidt Birch Tree (참박달나무) from Gangwon Province
Korean Schimidt Birch rates high on all three requirements
It's a very strong, dense wood that's used in Korea to make premium-grade wooden furniture
Only Chilmong has developed proprietary techniques to craft chopsticks from this dense and hard birch wood
Our Ottchil lacquer is made using natural sap from Korean Ott trees from Wonju County
✓ 99.9% anti-bacterial surface
✓ Highly-durable, moisture-resistant & anti-bacterial
✓ Extracted in a eco-sustainable way
Our Ottchil Sap is harvested by Master Ahn Young Bae
Ottchil sap extraction requires decades of skillful experience and know-how
Our sap is extracted by Master Ahn Young Bae (license shown above)
Our spoons and chopsticks are carefully crafted and polished — one by one
After the Ottchil coating is applied, moisture or leftover food particles are unable to penetrate the surface, preventing bacteria from infiltrating the wood's pores
This results in chopsticks that do not rot, discolor, or harbor bacteria, ensuring a hygienic and beautiful utensil
How's it made:
Step 1: Each wooden utensil is carefully shaped, edged and polished by hand
Step 2: Many layers of ottchil are applied by hand (the exact number depends on the product type)
Step 3: Then the ottchil is left to dry for a final time before inspection
Each one of Chilmong's products are hand-lacquered a minimum of 9 times!
6 layers of base Ottchil lacquer
Followed by 3 layers of reinforced Ottchil lacquer
+ MORE layers for our higher-end products!
We hope you can feel our craftsmanship when it's in your hands!
We listen to our customers and made improvements to our product's design...
These are some of the adjustments we've made to our current design
✓ The size of the spoon has increased - to better hold food
✓ The handle of the spoon has been re-designed to be held more comfortably
✓ The tips of the chopsticks have been rounded to make it easier to grab foods!
✓ The rounded tip of the chopticks changes to a square body to prevent rolling on the table!
Chilmong's product designs are patented
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Can I wash this in the dishwasher?
We recommend hand-washing
If you wash it in a dishwasher, high temperatures or extended cycles may lead to bending or splitting of the wood over time
Will the lacquer wear off or the chopsticks wear down over time?
Yes, all-natural lacquer will eventually wear off over time with frequent usage
To extend the lifetime of the utensils, avoid subjecting them to sharp knives or dragging them along abrasive surfaces
Once more, the lifetime of the utensil depends on how the customer uses it
Improper use or washing can damage the lacquer coating, even after one-time use
To enhance durability against daily wear, we apply three coats of extra-strength Ottchil over the tips of the chopsticks and the edges of the spoon
Product Notice - please read
Important: Ottchil lacquer does not guarantee lifetime durability, especially with daily use products like utensils
Using a knife or accidentally biting wooden utensils can damage both the Ottchil coating
Even automotive lacquer, known for it durability, will sustain damage if the car is keyed or out in very high temperatures for long
Likewise, the lifespan of Ottchil utensils varies depending on customer usage
How to wash Ottchil
Using dish soap when washing Chilmong Ottchil utensils is completely fine and has no impact on durability
When washing, use the soft side of a dish sponge and avoid using the abrasive side - however, do not use steel wool scrubber
You can also simpy rinse with just water (no dish soap needed) - bacteria will not grow or spread on its surface
Customer Product Photos
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