They Call Us Noma's Kevin Jeung

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.

What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome Kevin Jeung, Chef of Research and Production at the legendary restaurant Noma -- named the World's Best Restaurant -- which is finishing up a 16-week residency in Los Angeles. He talks about neglecting to inform his parents when he dropped out of college to pursue cooking full time; the culinary experimentation (both failure and success, but mostly failure) that happens inside Noma's Fermentation Lab; and what the $1500 per seat menu actually looks and tastes like. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of doing a restaurant pop-up in Los Angeles.

They Call Us Culinary Monster

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.

What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome chef Hasung Lee, aka "Culinary Monster," one of the breakout contestants from season two of Netflix's hit Korean cooking competition show Culinary Class Wars. He talks about his journey from Korea to the United States to train in some of the world's best kitchens; getting cast on the show as a Black Spoon chef -- including how he got his nickname; his unique focus and confidence while competing in each cooking challenge; and which fellow contestants' dishes he wishes he could have tasted. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of competing on Culinary Class Wars.

They Call Us Bruce: They Call Us Culinary Class Wars

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.

What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we follow up and welcome back chef Edward Lee -- just two episodes later -- fresh off the finale of the Netflix cooking competition Culinary Class Wars. Spoiler alert! He talks about his grueling journey to the final challenge, including the Endless Cooking Hell, his unexpected new nickname, that incredible dessert dish, and how his cooking throughout the entire show told a personal story about his Korean American identity. Also: Jeff and Phil offer The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of Culinary Class Wars.

They Call Us Bruce: They Call Us Chef Edward Lee

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.

What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome award-winning chef, restaurateur and author Edward Lee, who appears as one of the "White Spoon" chefs on Netflix's Korean cooking competition show Culinary Class Wars. He talks about his personal and professional journey as a Korean American chef, how he got recruited to battle it out with 99 other Korean culinary professionals -- including Michelin star chefs, the "Bibimbap King," and the chicken mask guy -- and his ideas on the evolution and future of Korean cuisine. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of competing on Culinary Class Wars..

Take this survey on AAPI food habits. For research!

Study examines the eating habits of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.



Our friend Oliver Wang, professor of sociology at California State University Long Beach, is launching a pilot study to explore the eating habits of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and he could use your help.

Take this quick online survey: AAPI Food Habits

Oliver says the study came from a simple question: how do AAPIs eat? Specifically, he and co-author Mike Hoa Nguyen were interested in how those of us raised in the United States make decisions about what to cook at home or eat in restaurants. How often do we prioritize some kind of Asian food -- whether it’s the food linked to our family heritage or just any kind of Asian food -- when we think about what we want to eat?

"For me, that’s pretty important," Oliver says. "I live in Los Angeles's San Gabriel Valley -- practically the national capital for Asian American cuisine -- and it's easy for me to take for granted how many restaurants and markets I have access to. It certainly shapes my meal decisions, whether I'm getting a bite out to eat or I'm cooking for my family."

Do not watch this show on an empty stomach.

YOMYOMF's unscripted series 'Family Style' offers a lively look at Asian food.



Family Style is a 12-episode unscripted food and travel series that offers a lively look at not just Asian food, but the traditions, culture and backstory of the food and the dish that's brought to the table. Shot in Vietnam, China and the Philippines as well as Hawaii and Los Angeles, the series is produced by Stage 13 and YOMYOMF.

The series is led by the Foodie Fam -- eight talented friends bound together by their knowledge and love for culture, cuisine and sharing family moments around the table. The cast includes Stacy Fan, Lana McKissack, Gilbert Galon, Arvin Lee, Anthony Ma, Oates Wu and Sujata Day.

Highlights of the first season include a visit to the Night Markets of Saigon, Singapore and the San Gabriel Valley; how to make Kare Kare, the Philippines' revered hearty stew; the legend of the Pork Highway in Oahu; Sri Lankan, Indian, Japanese, Korean and Burmese cuisine and more.

Check out the trailer:

Stay Angry, But Not Hangry

Sponsored Post by KPOP Foods



KPOP Foods was started by a couple of friends who came together through a mutual love for Korean food (and soju), and wanted to share their obsession with the flavors and experience of eating Korean food with America. Powered by an enormously successful Kickstarter campaign, their first product is KPOP Sauce, a "chili sauce with attitude" that can be used for cooking and as a condiment, "good on everything from burgers to broccoli."

Want to get a taste of KPOP Sauce in action? The folks at KPOP Foods have cooked up a special recipe just for you, the good readers of this blog: Angry Asian Man's Pork Belly & Kimchi Grilled Cheese Sandwich. A spicy, Korean twist on a cheesy traditional American classic.

They Call Us Bruce - Episode 15: They Call Us Shirley Chung

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. Each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

This week, in an episode recorded live at Opodz in Little Tokyo, Jeff and Phil welcome former Top Chef contestant Shirley Chung, who talks about her lifelong love of food, cooking with her heart and soul on TV's top culinary competition, and finally getting approval from her mom.

How To Make Kimchi (Taught By Koreatown Aunties)

Saturday, June 17. Hosted by API Forward Movement and Koreatown Youth and Community Center.



As of this writing, this class is already fully registered, but I had to make note of how awesome this sounds: How to Make Kimchi, hosted by API Forward Movement and Koreatown Youth and Community Center in Los Angeles. But wait, is this gonna be some legit Korean kimchi-making? Rest assured, just so you know that this is an authentic endeavor, the advertising makes clear that this class will be "TAUGHT BY KOREATOWN AUNTIES." Yes, real ajummas will be schooling you in the art, science and history of spicy fermentation.

It's happening Saturday, June 17 at Doulos Mission Church in Koreatown. Here are some more details:

How to Make Bun Bo Hue

Mrs. Nguyen teaches you the secrets of spicy lemongrass beef noodle soup.



Awwwwww yeah. Mrs. Nguyen back with a brand new cooking lesson. The viral hit YouTube cooking show Cooking With Mrs. Nguyen recently dropped her first video in ten months, coming at you with a savory, steamy tutorial on how to make bun bo hue. Yum. The process is a little long a tricky, but with Mrs. Nguyen's help, you'll be cooking up some of that spicy lemongrass beef noodle soup in no time.

Take it away, Mrs. Nguyen:

This is the most adorable cooking show on the internet

Mazzy shows you the most legit and delicious recipes on "Cooking with Mazzy."



The only person on the internet (other than an Asian auntie or grandma) I trust to teach me how to cook Asian food is a little adorable toddler named Mazzy who is the star of her own (parent-produced) YouTube cooking show, "Cooking with Mazzy."

I mean, just look at the chef.