The complexity in Koreatown culture was incredible; Anthony Bourdain's interest in the folk group sought to explain further their complexity by breaking down common stereotypes of the peoples, visiting the history that defined their region, and experiencing the traditions that no Korean man or woman would dare to change.
This episode focused on various foodways: food trucks, traditional Korean dining, and the small twists that a particular Korean folk group has adopted as a foodway of their own. This episode's dining made my mouth water; food trucks mashed Mexican flavor with Korean beef and vegetables, barbecue was cooked table side for the sake of Korean tradition, and a "meatball" taco was born out of a certain family's habit of "going big or going home" when dining out at Sizzler. This region carries more than a tiny taste of culture-- it reveals a gateway into what makes them so unique as a people.
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| Korean barbecue table-side style. Sourced from Google. |
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| Sizzler restaurant sign. This was a popular place for David Cho's family to eat when they dined out on rare occasion. Sourced from Google. |
Anthony Bourdain discussed the history of Koreatown and their perseverance through the LA riots; they came together as a people to defend not only their shops and homes, but their way of life. This was especially revealing of their character, showing that the folk groups in Koreatown are a resilient people. I think the food in this region brings the people together; regardless of whether you are a "traditional" Korean, or a part of the new age breaking stereotypical barriers in food and careers.
This episode was a tease of the mysteries of Koreatown-- its culture carries not only great tofu bowls, but great insight into a people group functioning fluently together alongside it's own culture differences. All I know now is that I'm ready for more than a tiny taste of this region.
Till next time-- AR.
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