Ancient cooking hack to gut a fish in a few seconds using only chopsticks

Footage shows an ancient cooking hack for gutting a fish in a few seconds - using only a pair of chopsticks.

The technique, which originated among Japanese housemaids hundreds of years ago, sees the two sticks plunged down the fresh fish's throat.

With a quick twist, they tear out the innards then pluck them out - leaving the creature ready to be cooked.

Chef Nathakorn Saruthanajarern demonstrated the kitchen hack this week using mackerel at his Japanese restaurant, Kansaku, in Bangkok, Thailand.

He said it is important not to damage other parts of the fish when using the chopsticks hack, but amateurs could also do it in their own kitchens.

Natthakorn said: ''There aren't many chefs that know about this technique. It comes from Japan.

''The cook who taught me said that long before modern equipment, Japanese housemaids would use the chopsticks to remove the insides of the fish.

''I think it's a clever method and something that people can use at home, they just have to be careful not to damage the bones or meat.''