Asian Representation on Cooking Shows
Submitted by Luann Ji
Are you searching for new and unique cooking shows? Look no further. Here are some of the best television series with Asian hosts. Be prepared to fall in love with these stars and the amazing food they make and eat!
Huang’s World on Viceland
Eddie Huang has been in the entertainment and food industry for some time now. He is the owner of the popular restaurant, BaoHaus, located in New York City and Los Angeles. The spot was known for its take on traditional taiwanese dishes inspired by Huang’s heritage. However, because of the pandemic, both locations shut down. His fame continued to rise with his creation of the ABC sitcom, “Fresh off the Boat,” a comedy about growing up as an Asian American kid. Additionally, Huang emerged as a food influencer with his show “Huang’s World” brought to audiences by Viceland. The docuseries follows him on his journeys to other countries while exploring topics like race, culture, and identity through food and humor. What’s best about the show is Huang’s personality and his openness to learning about different parts of the world and their cuisine while being his truly hilarious self.
Ugly Delicious on Netflix
One of the most iconic chefs and restaurateurs of the past two decades is David Chang. He is best known for his Momofuku restaurant chains located all across the world. On top of this, he holds two Michelin stars and multiple James Beard Awards. Truly one of a kind, Chang has and still heavily influences the world of gastronomy through his work in reimagining Asian cuisine. His prominence in the food industry continues to soar throughout the past years as he has expanded his popularity into the entertainment industry. In 2018, Chang launched his own series on Netflix called “Ugly Delicious.” Each episode follows him on his journeys around the world to talk about various food topics based on types of dishes. On his adventure’s, he is joined by all sorts of people from activists, artists, and chefs to discuss food misconceptions and bond viewers together with cooking. Chang’s authenticity and honesty makes the whole program that much greater than any other reality cooking show that you may have seen. Furthermore, the emphasis on relatability and curiosity creates a sense of comfort in the audience who may or may not already have an awareness for the issues explored.
Street Food: Asia on Netflix
Another Netflix show to binge watch is “Street Food: Asia.” It is a spin off from the widely viewed series, “Chef’s Table,” directed by the James Beard award winning David Gelb. Similarly, it delves into the lives and impact of exceptional and one of a kind chefs. However, it specifically centers its attention around Asian cooks who specialize in street food. It is fascinating and cool to see such a diverse set of chefs in separate Asian countries who are the “best” at creating popular street foods. Moreover, it is amazing to hear the background stories and origins of such talented people.
Take Out on HBO Max
Lisa Ling is a Taiwanese American journalist who’s worked for networks like CNN and OWN. Recently, she released her own series, “Take Out.” In it, Ling investigates the rise of delicious foods from Asian immigrant groups in America and the history of how their dishes have become so accepted in another country other than their home. The focus on food as a key to bridging gaps between cultures is incredibly interesting to watch and learn from. Also, the way in which Ling presents each episode by showcasing a variety of people of the Asian diaspora and their stories is helpful in understanding the role that race and history inherently play in food.
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