3 ms·

Fascinating article, although I'm a little taken aback when anyone uses the phrase "ethnic food" nowadays. I didn't realize people said it anymore, it sounds li

by mwfunk 10y ago

Fascinating article, although I'm a little taken aback when anyone uses the phrase "ethnic food" nowadays. I didn't realize people said it anymore, it sounds like a relic of the '50s. I'm also bitter because I grew up in a household where anything that was even remotely different from the same bland 4-5 dishes we ate every single day was considered strange and exotic by the rest of my family. I would love to hang out with certain relatives and be able to suggest Indian or Thai food without getting a reaction like I want them to construct an interdimensional portal so we could go eat food from an alternate universe where everything's made out of pure thought and energy.

donretag 10y ago
I dislike the term "ethnic food" and foodie cultural in general when it comes to foreign food. There is a restaurant that I like to get my culture's home cooking. Nothing fancy, just home cooking. You do not even know it is a restaurant since there is no storefront except for a social club awning. I could never remember the exact street it is on, so when looking for the address one day, I came across reviews for the restaurant. First of all I was shocked that "outsiders" went to eat there. Good for them. But the reviews by these foodies went on into detail about every aspect of the food. It is home cooking! I felt like the food was an animal in a zoo and people were paying to see these strange creatures. They were there not for the environment, the culture, or even the food. They were there to see how these other people eat. I am sorry if American food is bland, but do not treat cultures like animals in a zoo.
- jinushaun 10y ago
  I think everyone has been to enough potluck and home cooked dinners to know the difference between good and bad home cooking. That's the problem with "authentic" cuisine. It's no guarantee of quality. Likewise, "home cooking" is also not a free pass for poorly made restaurant meals.
  - donretag 10y ago
    To be clear, the reviews were not negative. To me, they were too focused on details that did not matter IMHO. They were trying very hard to be foodies, missing the point of the food and the restaurant.
- mercutio2 10y ago
  Was this a private club, and they were unwelcome patrons? I think everyone should pick apart everyone else's culture if they feel like it. If you want a sacred space, don't welcome the general public. You're welcome to treasure the things you want to, of course! But it seems rather surly to pick on people who like to nerd out on food. Of course on another level, if your culture is picking on foody's culture, so be it! It all gets pretty meta...

by mwfunk 10y ago

donretag 10y ago

I dislike the term "ethnic food" and foodie cultural in general when it comes to foreign food. There is a restaurant that I like to get my culture's home cooking. Nothing fancy, just home cooking. You do not even know it is a restaurant since there is no storefront except for a social club awning. I could never remember the exact street it is on, so when looking for the address one day, I came across reviews for the restaurant. First of all I was shocked that "outsiders" went to eat there. Good for them. But the reviews by these foodies went on into detail about every aspect of the food. It is home cooking! I felt like the food was an animal in a zoo and people were paying to see these strange creatures. They were there not for the environment, the culture, or even the food. They were there to see how these other people eat. I am sorry if American food is bland, but do not treat cultures like animals in a zoo.

jinushaun 10y ago
I think everyone has been to enough potluck and home cooked dinners to know the difference between good and bad home cooking. That's the problem with "authentic" cuisine. It's no guarantee of quality. Likewise, "home cooking" is also not a free pass for poorly made restaurant meals.
- donretag 10y ago
  To be clear, the reviews were not negative. To me, they were too focused on details that did not matter IMHO. They were trying very hard to be foodies, missing the point of the food and the restaurant.
mercutio2 10y ago
Was this a private club, and they were unwelcome patrons? I think everyone should pick apart everyone else's culture if they feel like it. If you want a sacred space, don't welcome the general public. You're welcome to treasure the things you want to, of course! But it seems rather surly to pick on people who like to nerd out on food. Of course on another level, if your culture is picking on foody's culture, so be it! It all gets pretty meta...