Used as a counter or unit for a single bowl of rice, often in restaurant or meal contexts.
I added one bowl of rice to the set meal.
Used as a counter for a single pair of chopsticks. Often seen in formal or traditional settings.
Please distribute one pair of chopsticks to each guest.
simple and inexpensive restaurant; diner
Compound of 一 (one) and 膳 (counter for bowls or pairs of chopsticks). The kanji 膳 originally referred to a small dining tray, later extended to items served on it.