The usage of spoons and forks is prevalent in the urban areas of North India, and food like curry or vegetables is generally not touched with the hands. When flatbreads such as chapati, roti, or naan are served with the meal, it is acceptable to use pieces of them to gather food and sop up gravies and curries. Not all Indian foods should be eaten with the hands, however. If the food is soupy, such as many daals, spoons can be used. Additionally, foods such as rice may be eaten with spoons in North India, more so in case of formal occasions as in a restaurant or a buffet. In South India, where the practice of eating food from a banana leaf is still observed, it is not acceptable to eat using spoons except on rare occasions.
Traditional Indian cutlery does not recognise the use of spoons, forks and knives while eating, limiting their use to the kitchen only. Spoons (for serving) were made of wood in ancient times, evolving into metallic spoons (for serving) during the advent of the use of the thali, the traditional dish on which Indian food is served. Spoons and forks are commonly used to distribute foods from a communal dish, as it is considered rude to touch the foods of others.