Asian Americana

Producers Ada Tseng and Caroline Chang don't have a lot of personal experience with facial hair, but they hear Asian American men — in media and in their lives — talk about it all the time. So they decided to investigate: who can or cannot grow it, what are the stereotypes, and the ways it can signify Asian American identity, masculinity, marketability, and resistance.

Claudia Kishi is an Asian American literary icon that went beyond being a fun, artistic, and stylish character. She became an inspiration and point of connection for a ton of young Asian Americans. We explore her influence on a generation of Asian American readers.

We explore the unique pearl of Asian American culture that is boba/bubble tea. We’ll take a look at its origins, hear folks from all over the country sharing their experiences with it, learn about some cool boba businesses and projects, and figure out what people across the country are calling it: from boba to bubble tea and a slew of other names in between.

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Below is a graphical representation of the boba/bubble tea name survey.

The disproportionate presence of California transplants among respondents may have affected the preference toward the term "boba" in the states of Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, South Dakota, and Utah.

The language and phrases passed down in our families can reflect our specific cultures, heritage, and journey. But sometimes, they’re a way to cope with something darker and can belie hidden histories. Contributor Julianne Parker explores the depth and meaning of her grandmother’s signature saying in That’s Just the Way the Ball Bounces.

A plate of Thai-Chinese style pork and rice. Photo credit: Quincy Surasmith

The past several months of pandemic have been really hard on all of us, and have kept a lot of us at home. For those of us that can afford to, that means a lot of finding solace in taking care of ourselves and others with some comforting meals.

This is the first of two episodes about Asian American comfort foods: the traditions we’ve passed down in our families, as well as the adaptations and substitutions different communities have picked up along the way.

You can listen to part two here!

Listen:

Or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, or RadioPublic.

I present to you: the Weiner dinner, a Migaki family staple. Invented by my grandmother when she was was raising 3 kids with no money. Cut up hot dogs, potatoes, soy sauce + sugar served over rice.
Asian-American fusion at its humblest and finest. A comforting meal always. pic.twitter.com/w6YVAcMmzL

Check out Lauren Migaki’s original tweet and picture of the Migaki family “Weiner dinner.” This was the post that set this whole episode in motion!

Learn more about Kelly Fong and Clement Lai’s community cookbook research project on their blog, Chinese American Homestyle Cooking.

The Stockton cookbook Kelly’s family owned:Treasured Recipes from Two Cultures–American and Chinese. Photo credit: Kelly Fong

From VAALA’s website:

VAALA’s Illuminated Recipes project can be found on the VAALA website.

Music from this episode included:

Jason Chu ft. Olivia Thai - Grandma’s Kitchen
David Tran aka applesauce - Song for Mom
Peter Su - Before You Get Too Old