Origami: Turning Your Chopstick Wrapper Into a Tray at Asian Restaurants

I learned this little trick from a Korean friend when we went for sushi.

You can fold your wooden chopstick wrapper into a tray that keeps your chopsticks up off the table when you want to set them aside, but don't want to leave them shoved in your noodle bowl. It also makes you look more like a Connoisseur of Asian dining (even if you're just getting acquainted with it).

Needed Materials: the wrapper of a cheap pair of chopsticks.
Note: Plain white wrappers (with black ink on them) are easier to fold because they crease better than full color ones like the example pictured.

Step 1: To the Left, to the Left

• Fold the wrapper a third of the way in on itself.

Step 2: To the Right, to the Right

• Fold the other outer third of the wrapper in so that the folded parts are layered on top of each other over the center.

Step 3: Smooth Moves

• Take the shortened rectangle, and make sure all of the folds are smooth.

Step 4: Try-Angle 1

• Fold the upper left corner of the rectangle over, so that the short edge of the rectangle lays completely parallel with the bottom of the rectangle. This should form a triangular fold.
• Unfold the corner, maintaining the crease.

Step 5: Try-Angle 2

• Fold the lower left corner of the rectangle over, so that the short-edge side of the rectangle lays completely parallel with the top of the rectangle. This should form a triangular fold.
• Unfold the corner, maintaining the crease.

Step 6: Try-Angle 3

• Fold the upper right corner of the rectangle over, so that the short edge of the rectangle lays completely parallel with the bottom of the rectangle. This should form a triangular fold.
• Unfold the corner, maintaining the crease.

Step 7: Try-Angle 4

• Fold the lower right corner of the rectangle over, so that the short edge of the rectangle lays completely parallel with the top of the rectangle. This should form a triangular fold.
• Unfold the corner, maintaining the crease.

Step 8: Hot-Dog Bun Style

• Place a thumb and forefinger in the middle of the two longest edges of the rectangle.
• Apply gentle pressure, so that these longer sides of the rectangle are curling over in the same direction that you made your previous triangular folds. It should have a natural "give" in this direction because of the folds.

Step 9: The Most Awkward Step in the Whole Process

• Simultaneously, place two fingers along the shorter sides.
• Apply gentle pressure, so that these shorter sides of the rectangle are also curling over in the same direction that you made your previous triangular folds, creating two similar clefts in the short sides.

Step 10: Smooth Moves Pt. 2

• Simultaneously to the aforementioned pressure applications, gently tip down the slightly elevated center and begin to run your finger back and forth smoothly from one end to the other. During this part, apply added pressure to the newly slanted sides, balancing the pressure to the top with the pressure being applied to the rectangle sides.
• Note: the top of the shape should form a smooth rectangle when you are finished.

Step 11: A Fancy/Cheap Chopstick Tray of the Far East

Enjoy the finished product.