And now, for something
different! TRAVELING? EXPAND YOUR CULINARY HORIZONS.
What is food? Or to put it another way, what can be eaten? That depends, for starters, on one’s background—cultural, geographic and religious. A hamburger, for instance, is forbidden for Hindus, notes Irina Perianova in The Polyphony of Food; many Muslims can’t eat pork and shellfish is taboo for Orthodox Jews. Kellogg’s Corn Flakes may not be forbidden to Asians, but many can’t imagine eating a cold breakfast of any kind, much less cereal. It’s still a novelty in China. In today’s postmodern and,
ideally, inclusive world, it hardly seems politically correct to refer to a food as exotic unless you specify exotic to whom. The word unusual is quantitative, best used for a dish rarely seen no matter where you’re from. A dish combining peanut butter and jelly and foie gras is unusual. Chicken knees and crickets are only unusual if you’re not from China or Mexico, respectively. PB&J foie gras, chicken knees and crickets can all be enjoyed at restaurants in Orange County. Such items are on the menu
because people order them; restaurants don’t offer items that don’t sell. People who don’t order them just might be missing out. The good news: U.S. consumers continue to show affinity for ethnic flavors and dishes. About 75 percent of U.S. adults are open to trying new foods, reports the NPD Group, a global information company. Are you among that 75 percent? Are you an adventurous eater who treats a vacation as an opportunity to expand your culinary horizons? If so, read on.
Lisa Hu Chen. opposite, 100eats
by BENJAMIN EPSTEIN
12 SOCALPULSE.COM WINTER 2018
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