first of all I want to say thank you to TEDx for having me this is a real thrill
TEDx for having me this is a real thrill
TEDx for having me this is a real thrill for me really really exciting actually
for me really really exciting actually
for me really really exciting actually and it’s even more exciting having heard
and it’s even more exciting having heard
and it’s even more exciting having heard the other talks because they’ve been
the other talks because they’ve been
the other talks because they’ve been really insightful really interesting so
really insightful really interesting so
really insightful really interesting so thank you to my fellow panelists
thank you to my fellow panelists
thank you to my fellow panelists speakers I got speakers will call him
speakers I got speakers will call him
speakers I got speakers will call him anyway I cook Japanese food uh-huh and
anyway I cook Japanese food uh-huh and
anyway I cook Japanese food uh-huh and I’ve been interested in Japanese food
I’ve been interested in Japanese food
I’ve been interested in Japanese food from a very young age that’s another
from a very young age that’s another
from a very young age that’s another story but in 2005 I got a research grant
story but in 2005 I got a research grant
story but in 2005 I got a research grant to go and study noodles in Japan the
to go and study noodles in Japan the
to go and study noodles in Japan the idea was to investigate the historic and
idea was to investigate the historic and
idea was to investigate the historic and cultural differences between ramen and
cultural differences between ramen and
cultural differences between ramen and udon and soba and I know what you’re
udon and soba and I know what you’re
udon and soba and I know what you’re thinking and yes i did get paid to go
thinking and yes i did get paid to go
thinking and yes i did get paid to go eat noodles in japan but you know i’m
eat noodles in japan but you know i’m
eat noodles in japan but you know i’m american i went to American University
american i went to American University
american i went to American University and our tuition was very expensive so I
and our tuition was very expensive so I
and our tuition was very expensive so I had to get something out of it other
had to get something out of it other
had to get something out of it other than an Asian Studies degree which is
than an Asian Studies degree which is
than an Asian Studies degree which is pretty useless let’s be real so I focus
pretty useless let’s be real so I focus
pretty useless let’s be real so I focus my research on two major sites one was
my research on two major sites one was
my research on two major sites one was the soba museum which you see here these
the soba museum which you see here these
the soba museum which you see here these are real these are not joke slides um
are real these are not joke slides um
are real these are not joke slides um the soba museum in a small mountain town
the soba museum in a small mountain town
the soba museum in a small mountain town called toka cushy an another museum
called toka cushy an another museum
called toka cushy an another museum called a ramen museum in Yokohama but
called a ramen museum in Yokohama but
called a ramen museum in Yokohama but the more I traveled around Japan
the more I traveled around Japan
the more I traveled around Japan especially after I moved there in 2006
especially after I moved there in 2006
especially after I moved there in 2006 where I was on working holiday I found
where I was on working holiday I found
where I was on working holiday I found more and more of these food museums all
more and more of these food museums all
more and more of these food museums all over the country dozens if not hundreds
over the country dozens if not hundreds
over the country dozens if not hundreds of them often they were connected
of them often they were connected
of them often they were connected somehow to agriculture or nature in the
somehow to agriculture or nature in the
somehow to agriculture or nature in the area where they were sometimes they were
area where they were sometimes they were
area where they were sometimes they were based on more modern developments and
based on more modern developments and
based on more modern developments and sometimes kind of a mix of both like
sometimes kind of a mix of both like
sometimes kind of a mix of both like this sapporo beer museum which is real
this sapporo beer museum which is real
this sapporo beer museum which is real and it tells a nice story actually of
and it tells a nice story actually of
and it tells a nice story actually of how they the japanese moved to hokkaido
how they the japanese moved to hokkaido
how they the japanese moved to hokkaido the northernmost island and started
the northernmost island and started
the northernmost island and started growing hops and barley there and
growing hops and barley there and
growing hops and barley there and brewing delicious japanese lager but
brewing delicious japanese lager but
brewing delicious japanese lager but there’s all kinds of other museums as a
there’s all kinds of other museums as a
there’s all kinds of other museums as a rice museum in a he may there’s a tea
rice museum in a he may there’s a tea
rice museum in a he may there’s a tea museum and a sushi museum in Shizuoka
museum and a sushi museum in Shizuoka
museum and a sushi museum in Shizuoka there is an instant ramen museum in
there is an instant ramen museum in
there is an instant ramen museum in Osaka as well as a takoyaki museum there
Osaka as well as a takoyaki museum there
Osaka as well as a takoyaki museum there a champ own Museum in Nagasaki what am I
a champ own Museum in Nagasaki what am I
a champ own Museum in Nagasaki what am I missing us salmon museum in Sapporo as
missing us salmon museum in Sapporo as
missing us salmon museum in Sapporo as well a confection Museum in Kyoto
well a confection Museum in Kyoto
well a confection Museum in Kyoto weirdly Tokyo has no local food museum
weirdly Tokyo has no local food museum
weirdly Tokyo has no local food museum there’s one exception actually sort of a
there’s one exception actually sort of a
there’s one exception actually sort of a half exception which is the kind of
half exception which is the kind of
half exception which is the kind of bizarre salt and tobacco museum which is
bizarre salt and tobacco museum which is
bizarre salt and tobacco museum which is owned by Japan Tobacco and apparently
owned by Japan Tobacco and apparently
owned by Japan Tobacco and apparently the the kind of tenuous connection comes
the the kind of tenuous connection comes
the the kind of tenuous connection comes from the fact that they were once both
from the fact that they were once both
from the fact that they were once both regulated by the same government agency
regulated by the same government agency
regulated by the same government agency and anyway they’re two very important
and anyway they’re two very important
and anyway they’re two very important pastimes in Japanese society salt and
pastimes in Japanese society salt and
pastimes in Japanese society salt and tobacco so why not but it’s it was weird
tobacco so why not but it’s it was weird
tobacco so why not but it’s it was weird to me because Tokyo is known around the
to me because Tokyo is known around the
to me because Tokyo is known around the world for its amazing astronomy and
world for its amazing astronomy and
world for its amazing astronomy and Tokyo does have local specialties things
Tokyo does have local specialties things
Tokyo does have local specialties things like no my sushi you probably heard of
like no my sushi you probably heard of
like no my sushi you probably heard of this it’s it’s delicious if you haven’t
this it’s it’s delicious if you haven’t
this it’s it’s delicious if you haven’t tried it really good food some things
tried it really good food some things
tried it really good food some things you may not have heard of like manga
you may not have heard of like manga
you may not have heard of like manga yaki which is kind of hard to describe
yaki which is kind of hard to describe
yaki which is kind of hard to describe kind of like okonomiyaki if you’ve had
kind of like okonomiyaki if you’ve had
kind of like okonomiyaki if you’ve had that and I know it looks like well like
that and I know it looks like well like
that and I know it looks like well like somebody ate a bunch of cabbage then
somebody ate a bunch of cabbage then
somebody ate a bunch of cabbage then threw up on a hot griddle but it is
threw up on a hot griddle but it is
threw up on a hot griddle but it is really delicious trust me on that so
really delicious trust me on that so
really delicious trust me on that so there are these foods in Tokyo that are
there are these foods in Tokyo that are
there are these foods in Tokyo that are beloved by locals but evidently none of
beloved by locals but evidently none of
beloved by locals but evidently none of them are beloved enough are considered
them are beloved enough are considered
them are beloved enough are considered important enough to warrant an
important enough to warrant an
important enough to warrant an institution like a food museum in fact
institution like a food museum in fact
institution like a food museum in fact what I realized was that actually what
what I realized was that actually what
what I realized was that actually what people in Tokyo really love or what
people in Tokyo really love or what
people in Tokyo really love or what they’re most interested in perhaps what
they’re most interested in perhaps what
they’re most interested in perhaps what they most identify with aren’t local
they most identify with aren’t local
they most identify with aren’t local foods but actually foods from around the
foods but actually foods from around the
foods but actually foods from around the world boots from elsewhere so for
world boots from elsewhere so for
world boots from elsewhere so for example it’s really easy to get good
example it’s really easy to get good
example it’s really easy to get good French food in Tokyo really easy to get
French food in Tokyo really easy to get
French food in Tokyo really easy to get good Italian food there good Mexican
good Italian food there good Mexican
good Italian food there good Mexican food korean chinese thai indian these
food korean chinese thai indian these
food korean chinese thai indian these are all very well represented in tokyo
are all very well represented in tokyo
are all very well represented in tokyo this is letellier from joelle Robuchon
this is letellier from joelle Robuchon
this is letellier from joelle Robuchon french chef it’s one of several Joel
french chef it’s one of several Joel
french chef it’s one of several Joel Robuchon restaurants in Tokyo and also I
Robuchon restaurants in Tokyo and also I
Robuchon restaurants in Tokyo and also I should mention that Tokyo will have a
should mention that Tokyo will have a
should mention that Tokyo will have a lot of restaurants that focus on food
lot of restaurants that focus on food
lot of restaurants that focus on food from around Japan this one is a izakaya
from around Japan this one is a izakaya
from around Japan this one is a izakaya selling food from Hokkaido actually
selling food from Hokkaido actually
selling food from Hokkaido actually translates very poetically it says
translates very poetically it says
translates very poetically it says something like the flavors of the North
something like the flavors of the North
something like the flavors of the North a travelogue with sake something like
a travelogue with sake something like
a travelogue with sake something like that and it’s interesting to compare
that and it’s interesting to compare
that and it’s interesting to compare this to London as well because London is
this to London as well because London is
this to London as well because London is I think quite similar in Tokyo it’s it’s
I think quite similar in Tokyo it’s it’s
I think quite similar in Tokyo it’s it’s it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me
it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me
it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me actually because Tokyo
actually because Tokyo
actually because Tokyo does it’s not a very diverse City it’s
does it’s not a very diverse City it’s
does it’s not a very diverse City it’s not very pluralistic they’re actually
not very pluralistic they’re actually
not very pluralistic they’re actually only three percent foreign-born the
only three percent foreign-born the
only three percent foreign-born the population in Tokyo is compared to say
population in Tokyo is compared to say
population in Tokyo is compared to say Hong Kong which is nine percent in New
Hong Kong which is nine percent in New
Hong Kong which is nine percent in New York and London are both thirty-seven
York and London are both thirty-seven
York and London are both thirty-seven percent la is forty percent Sydney I
percent la is forty percent Sydney I
percent la is forty percent Sydney I learned is forty-three percent and then
learned is forty-three percent and then
learned is forty-three percent and then you have oddball cities like Dubai which
you have oddball cities like Dubai which
you have oddball cities like Dubai which is eighty-three percent foreign-born so
is eighty-three percent foreign-born so
is eighty-three percent foreign-born so it makes a bit more sense in some more
it makes a bit more sense in some more
it makes a bit more sense in some more like London and actually I think London
like London and actually I think London
like London and actually I think London maybe even more disconnected from its
maybe even more disconnected from its
maybe even more disconnected from its own quote unquote local food culture I
own quote unquote local food culture I
own quote unquote local food culture I mean when a lot of people think about
mean when a lot of people think about
mean when a lot of people think about local foods in London they may think of
local foods in London they may think of
local foods in London they may think of classic British dishes like fish and
classic British dishes like fish and
classic British dishes like fish and chips or pie or bangers and mash you
chips or pie or bangers and mash you
chips or pie or bangers and mash you know all this great British stuff and in
know all this great British stuff and in
know all this great British stuff and in fact whenever my friends from America or
fact whenever my friends from America or
fact whenever my friends from America or my family come to visit they always they
my family come to visit they always they
my family come to visit they always they really want to have fish and chips and
really want to have fish and chips and
really want to have fish and chips and I’m like you know what maybe save that
I’m like you know what maybe save that
I’m like you know what maybe save that for the seaside because the fish and
for the seaside because the fish and
for the seaside because the fish and chips in London’s not that good I try to
chips in London’s not that good I try to
chips in London’s not that good I try to tell them we’re better off getting ramen
tell them we’re better off getting ramen
tell them we’re better off getting ramen or tacos here because that’s actually I
or tacos here because that’s actually I
or tacos here because that’s actually I think more plentiful and more delicious
think more plentiful and more delicious
think more plentiful and more delicious but they don’t listen we get the fish
but they don’t listen we get the fish
but they don’t listen we get the fish and chips they’re disappointed i say i
and chips they’re disappointed i say i
and chips they’re disappointed i say i told you so we go get a taco and
told you so we go get a taco and
told you so we go get a taco and everybody’s happy many ways the fact
everybody’s happy many ways the fact
everybody’s happy many ways the fact that there is a sort of disconnect
that there is a sort of disconnect
that there is a sort of disconnect between cities and what you might think
between cities and what you might think
between cities and what you might think of as local food and more of a
of as local food and more of a
of as local food and more of a connection with each other whether there
connection with each other whether there
connection with each other whether there you know notice the matter where in the
you know notice the matter where in the
you know notice the matter where in the world they are it’s interesting to me
world they are it’s interesting to me
world they are it’s interesting to me and I don’t fully understand it but one
and I don’t fully understand it but one
and I don’t fully understand it but one thing I think is a good example of this
thing I think is a good example of this
thing I think is a good example of this is the Korean taco so the Korean taco is
is the Korean taco so the Korean taco is
is the Korean taco so the Korean taco is a delicious food we can get them a curb
a delicious food we can get them a curb
a delicious food we can get them a curb actually known they’re not tacos Korean
actually known they’re not tacos Korean
actually known they’re not tacos Korean burritos there’s a korean burrito stand
burritos there’s a korean burrito stand
burritos there’s a korean burrito stand called kimchi nari it’s cooked by a
called kimchi nari it’s cooked by a
called kimchi nari it’s cooked by a Swedish woman and I think Korean
Swedish woman and I think Korean
Swedish woman and I think Korean burritos made by a Swedish woman is like
burritos made by a Swedish woman is like
burritos made by a Swedish woman is like the most London thing ever i just i
the most London thing ever i just i
the most London thing ever i just i absolutely love it i really really do
absolutely love it i really really do
absolutely love it i really really do but the korean taco started in los
but the korean taco started in los
but the korean taco started in los angeles by chef named Roy Choi
angeles by chef named Roy Choi
angeles by chef named Roy Choi korean-american and in Los Angeles it
korean-american and in Los Angeles it
korean-american and in Los Angeles it makes sense it’s kind of a genuine local
makes sense it’s kind of a genuine local
makes sense it’s kind of a genuine local food because there’s huge immigrant
food because there’s huge immigrant
food because there’s huge immigrant populations of Koreans and Mexicans
populations of Koreans and Mexicans
populations of Koreans and Mexicans there and there’s so much so that these
there and there’s so much so that these
there and there’s so much so that these have become just part of the local
have become just part of the local
have become just part of the local culinary landscape everybody eats Korean
culinary landscape everybody eats Korean
culinary landscape everybody eats Korean food in LA everybody eats tacos it’s
food in LA everybody eats tacos it’s
food in LA everybody eats tacos it’s just part of our culinary vocabulary
just part of our culinary vocabulary
just part of our culinary vocabulary there
there
there but somehow it’s also a thing in cities
but somehow it’s also a thing in cities
but somehow it’s also a thing in cities that don’t have these populations and
that don’t have these populations and
that don’t have these populations and don’t have much precedent for korean or
don’t have much precedent for korean or
don’t have much precedent for korean or Mexican food you can get korean tacos in
Mexican food you can get korean tacos in
Mexican food you can get korean tacos in New York you can get korean tacos in san
New York you can get korean tacos in san
New York you can get korean tacos in san francisco in austin in london in sydney
francisco in austin in london in sydney
francisco in austin in london in sydney in amsterdam and i also found in mumbai
in amsterdam and i also found in mumbai
in amsterdam and i also found in mumbai this is an ad for a korean taco special
this is an ad for a korean taco special
this is an ad for a korean taco special at two sister pan asian restaurants in
at two sister pan asian restaurants in
at two sister pan asian restaurants in mumbai which is very interesting to me
mumbai which is very interesting to me
mumbai which is very interesting to me and it says to me that there’s an
and it says to me that there’s an
and it says to me that there’s an exchange of ideas an exchange of
exchange of ideas an exchange of
exchange of ideas an exchange of language of food that’s going between
language of food that’s going between
language of food that’s going between different cities of the world regardless
different cities of the world regardless
different cities of the world regardless of where they are and what their
of where they are and what their
of where they are and what their histories or their own you know
histories or their own you know
histories or their own you know homegrown cultures are now I’m a I’m a
homegrown cultures are now I’m a I’m a
homegrown cultures are now I’m a I’m a big fan of maps any map fans out there
big fan of maps any map fans out there
big fan of maps any map fans out there way I didn’t expect the response from
way I didn’t expect the response from
way I didn’t expect the response from that but I like maps because they
that but I like maps because they
that but I like maps because they sometimes they simplify they help you to
sometimes they simplify they help you to
sometimes they simplify they help you to understand the world you live in like
understand the world you live in like
understand the world you live in like the London Tube map a very functional
the London Tube map a very functional
the London Tube map a very functional great way to understand just how poor
great way to understand just how poor
great way to understand just how poor you are you know by placing your home on
you are you know by placing your home on
you are you know by placing your home on that map but i also like maps that have
that map but i also like maps that have
that map but i also like maps that have a more cultural bent like these maps of
a more cultural bent like these maps of
a more cultural bent like these maps of europe from the atlas of prejudice by
europe from the atlas of prejudice by
europe from the atlas of prejudice by yang coats beg of to the tomato you’re a
yang coats beg of to the tomato you’re a
yang coats beg of to the tomato you’re a potato europe map i would say what about
potato europe map i would say what about
potato europe map i would say what about patatas bravas sienko but that good
patatas bravas sienko but that good
patatas bravas sienko but that good cuisine bad cuisine map ooh that cuts to
cuisine bad cuisine map ooh that cuts to
cuisine bad cuisine map ooh that cuts to the bone but i also like map maps that
the bone but i also like map maps that
the bone but i also like map maps that complicate things i like maps that make
complicate things i like maps that make
complicate things i like maps that make me think about the world and see the
me think about the world and see the
me think about the world and see the world a little bit differently I’ve seen
world a little bit differently I’ve seen
world a little bit differently I’ve seen several these maps that made me think
several these maps that made me think
several these maps that made me think aha I never thought of it that way in
aha I never thought of it that way in
aha I never thought of it that way in the past year one of them is this map of
the past year one of them is this map of
the past year one of them is this map of economic mega cities by an economist in
economic mega cities by an economist in
economic mega cities by an economist in para conor and basically it shows the
para conor and basically it shows the
para conor and basically it shows the relative size of different economies
relative size of different economies
relative size of different economies within their countries and he grouped
within their countries and he grouped
within their countries and he grouped cities together because he thinks of
cities together because he thinks of
cities together because he thinks of them as one economic unit and that’s
them as one economic unit and that’s
them as one economic unit and that’s interesting to me I never thought of
interesting to me I never thought of
interesting to me I never thought of that before when i think of economies i
that before when i think of economies i
that before when i think of economies i think of state economies in America the
think of state economies in America the
think of state economies in America the economy of California or I think of
economy of California or I think of
economy of California or I think of national economies I don’t usually think
national economies I don’t usually think
national economies I don’t usually think of them as being connected by cities or
of them as being connected by cities or
of them as being connected by cities or being based or
being based or
being based or cities so seeing Los Angeles in San
cities so seeing Los Angeles in San
cities so seeing Los Angeles in San Francisco together like that or the
Francisco together like that or the
Francisco together like that or the whole Boston DC corridor including New
whole Boston DC corridor including New
whole Boston DC corridor including New York as one big unit it’s interesting to
York as one big unit it’s interesting to
York as one big unit it’s interesting to me and look at tokyo and osaka in Japan
me and look at tokyo and osaka in Japan
me and look at tokyo and osaka in Japan I mean it’s massively important and then
I mean it’s massively important and then
I mean it’s massively important and then of course reflects the sizes of the
of course reflects the sizes of the
of course reflects the sizes of the populations and significance of the
populations and significance of the
populations and significance of the populations there as well I think what
populations there as well I think what
populations there as well I think what would be even more interesting to see is
would be even more interesting to see is
would be even more interesting to see is how these mega cities can cross
how these mega cities can cross
how these mega cities can cross political borders so you’ve got London
political borders so you’ve got London
political borders so you’ve got London up there and a little bubble inside the
up there and a little bubble inside the
up there and a little bubble inside the UK and you’ve got rhine ruhr in the in
UK and you’ve got rhine ruhr in the in
UK and you’ve got rhine ruhr in the in Germany there but what if those were
Germany there but what if those were
Germany there but what if those were combined along with say Madrid and Paris
combined along with say Madrid and Paris
combined along with say Madrid and Paris and the wrong stuff I think that would
and the wrong stuff I think that would
and the wrong stuff I think that would be a massive circle in the EU circle
be a massive circle in the EU circle
be a massive circle in the EU circle similarly we have this Eurasian silk
similarly we have this Eurasian silk
similarly we have this Eurasian silk road’s map by the same economists which
road’s map by the same economists which
road’s map by the same economists which basically shows how goods and
basically shows how goods and
basically shows how goods and commodities and money try and travel
commodities and money try and travel
commodities and money try and travel across Eurasia the ones that are most
across Eurasia the ones that are most
across Eurasia the ones that are most interesting to me are the red and the
interesting to me are the red and the
interesting to me are the red and the brown it’s not easy to make out the
brown it’s not easy to make out the
brown it’s not easy to make out the brown ones but those are railroad
brown ones but those are railroad
brown ones but those are railroad railroads and highways because those
railroads and highways because those
railroads and highways because those will carry people and therefore culture
will carry people and therefore culture
will carry people and therefore culture as well as goods and what’s really
as well as goods and what’s really
as well as goods and what’s really interesting to me about this is first of
interesting to me about this is first of
interesting to me about this is first of all boundary national boundaries are
all boundary national boundaries are
all boundary national boundaries are just ignored the better the borders do
just ignored the better the borders do
just ignored the better the borders do not matter in this map they’re they’re
not matter in this map they’re they’re
not matter in this map they’re they’re meaningless basically but also I think
meaningless basically but also I think
meaningless basically but also I think what’s even more interesting is how
what’s even more interesting is how
what’s even more interesting is how decentralize this is you see major
decentralize this is you see major
decentralize this is you see major junctions in big cities which are little
junctions in big cities which are little
junctions in big cities which are little black specks on the map but there’s no
black specks on the map but there’s no
black specks on the map but there’s no one or even two or three sort of central
one or even two or three sort of central
one or even two or three sort of central loci that all of these things flow in
loci that all of these things flow in
loci that all of these things flow in and out of it’s all over the place we
and out of it’s all over the place we
and out of it’s all over the place we often think of globalization as
often think of globalization as
often think of globalization as something that starts in one place and
something that starts in one place and
something that starts in one place and then carries on from there like say
then carries on from there like say
then carries on from there like say Hollywood films from Hollywood to
Hollywood films from Hollywood to
Hollywood films from Hollywood to America than the rest of the world or a
America than the rest of the world or a
America than the rest of the world or a lot of people in East Asia they say that
lot of people in East Asia they say that
lot of people in East Asia they say that hong kong shanghai and tokyo are the
hong kong shanghai and tokyo are the
hong kong shanghai and tokyo are the sources of globalization and global
sources of globalization and global
sources of globalization and global culture but it’s actually more
culture but it’s actually more
culture but it’s actually more complicated than that now another map or
complicated than that now another map or
complicated than that now another map or a series of maps that i’ve seen recently
a series of maps that i’ve seen recently
a series of maps that i’ve seen recently that I’ve been very deeply invested in
that I’ve been very deeply invested in
that I’ve been very deeply invested in our the electoral maps of the u.s. from
our the electoral maps of the u.s. from
our the electoral maps of the u.s. from the last presidential election so we
the last presidential election so we
the last presidential election so we talked about
talked about
talked about red and blue states Republican and
red and blue states Republican and
red and blue states Republican and Democrat and we I’ve always kind of
Democrat and we I’ve always kind of
Democrat and we I’ve always kind of accepted that like I think of Oh Georgia
accepted that like I think of Oh Georgia
accepted that like I think of Oh Georgia red of course you know Washington yes
red of course you know Washington yes
red of course you know Washington yes blue of course all blue but what’s
blue of course all blue but what’s
blue of course all blue but what’s interesting about these mess if you look
interesting about these mess if you look
interesting about these mess if you look at them by county is that it’s far more
at them by county is that it’s far more
at them by county is that it’s far more complicated and they’re actually
complicated and they’re actually
complicated and they’re actually basically no states that are blue except
basically no states that are blue except
basically no states that are blue except for Massachusetts Connecticut Vermont in
for Massachusetts Connecticut Vermont in
for Massachusetts Connecticut Vermont in Hawaii every other state that goes blue
Hawaii every other state that goes blue
Hawaii every other state that goes blue only does so because of their big cities
only does so because of their big cities
only does so because of their big cities that vote that way and when we talk
that vote that way and when we talk
that vote that way and when we talk about liberal and conservative in
about liberal and conservative in
about liberal and conservative in America at least we may as well be
America at least we may as well be
America at least we may as well be saying urban and non-urban you look at
saying urban and non-urban you look at
saying urban and non-urban you look at new york new york you always think of as
new york new york you always think of as
new york new york you always think of as one of the bluest of the blue states but
one of the bluest of the blue states but
one of the bluest of the blue states but if it was not for New York City it would
if it was not for New York City it would
if it was not for New York City it would be a red state and a few little towns
be a red state and a few little towns
be a red state and a few little towns which i guess like to smoke weed or
which i guess like to smoke weed or
which i guess like to smoke weed or something upstate same in Illinois
something upstate same in Illinois
something upstate same in Illinois Illinois Obama’s home turf very very
Illinois Obama’s home turf very very
Illinois Obama’s home turf very very blue state always been blue but
blue state always been blue but
blue state always been blue but evidently only because of Chicago on the
evidently only because of Chicago on the
evidently only because of Chicago on the flip side you have red states Texas but
flip side you have red states Texas but
flip side you have red states Texas but the big cities in Texas and there are
the big cities in Texas and there are
the big cities in Texas and there are several houston dallas san antonio
several houston dallas san antonio
several houston dallas san antonio austin they all went blue just to just
austin they all went blue just to just
austin they all went blue just to just next to texas we have Louisiana where
next to texas we have Louisiana where
next to texas we have Louisiana where New Orleans and Baton Rouge are like
New Orleans and Baton Rouge are like
New Orleans and Baton Rouge are like blue lagoons and it sort of jungle of
blue lagoons and it sort of jungle of
blue lagoons and it sort of jungle of red and to the north we have Kentucky
red and to the north we have Kentucky
red and to the north we have Kentucky absolutely blood-red totally red state
absolutely blood-red totally red state
absolutely blood-red totally red state except for Louisville and Lexington it’s
except for Louisville and Lexington it’s
except for Louisville and Lexington it’s two biggest cities and actually I
two biggest cities and actually I
two biggest cities and actually I checked all of the most popular cities
checked all of the most popular cities
checked all of the most popular cities in America how they voted and every
in America how they voted and every
in America how they voted and every single one of them all of them with half
single one of them all of them with half
single one of them all of them with half a million people or more actually went
a million people or more actually went
a million people or more actually went blue the only exception to this is
blue the only exception to this is
blue the only exception to this is Oklahoma City and I don’t know why maybe
Oklahoma City and I don’t know why maybe
Oklahoma City and I don’t know why maybe they don’t have any good food um and you
they don’t have any good food um and you
they don’t have any good food um and you know I’m going to come back to London
know I’m going to come back to London
know I’m going to come back to London for a bit in London like I said it
for a bit in London like I said it
for a bit in London like I said it shares a lot with other global cities
shares a lot with other global cities
shares a lot with other global cities and maybe kind of disconnected from the
and maybe kind of disconnected from the
and maybe kind of disconnected from the country that it’s in and that’s how i
country that it’s in and that’s how i
country that it’s in and that’s how i feel about cities in America big cities
feel about cities in America big cities
feel about cities in America big cities metropolis is that go blue in an
metropolis is that go blue in an
metropolis is that go blue in an otherwise red state for example and
otherwise red state for example and
otherwise red state for example and london i think is eve
london i think is eve
london i think is eve and disconnected from maybe its own
and disconnected from maybe its own
and disconnected from maybe its own history so jellied eels any jellied eel
history so jellied eels any jellied eel
history so jellied eels any jellied eel fans here no no nobody likes jellied
fans here no no nobody likes jellied
fans here no no nobody likes jellied eels I even met a woman who makes
eels I even met a woman who makes
eels I even met a woman who makes jellied eels for a living and she told
jellied eels for a living and she told
jellied eels for a living and she told me she hates them so in London we do
me she hates them so in London we do
me she hates them so in London we do have local specialties just like Tokyo
have local specialties just like Tokyo
have local specialties just like Tokyo does there any other city really but
does there any other city really but
does there any other city really but we’re not really that interested in them
we’re not really that interested in them
we’re not really that interested in them unless they’re sort of presented in a
unless they’re sort of presented in a
unless they’re sort of presented in a deconstructed almost ironic way this is
deconstructed almost ironic way this is
deconstructed almost ironic way this is a jellied eel dish from duck & waffle
a jellied eel dish from duck & waffle
a jellied eel dish from duck & waffle which is actually really delicious as
which is actually really delicious as
which is actually really delicious as little vinegar jelly in there and
little vinegar jelly in there and
little vinegar jelly in there and thinking about this and how how cities
thinking about this and how how cities
thinking about this and how how cities are more connected to each other than
are more connected to each other than
are more connected to each other than they are to the country’s at there and
they are to the country’s at there and
they are to the country’s at there and kind of made me feel worried and
kind of made me feel worried and
kind of made me feel worried and pessimistic at first actually because I
pessimistic at first actually because I
pessimistic at first actually because I well there were two things first of all
well there were two things first of all
well there were two things first of all I worried that we would see a sort of
I worried that we would see a sort of
I worried that we would see a sort of generic homogenous food culture
generic homogenous food culture
generic homogenous food culture spreading across the world and you
spreading across the world and you
spreading across the world and you actually do start to see that in some
actually do start to see that in some
actually do start to see that in some places you go from city to city he sees
places you go from city to city he sees
places you go from city to city he sees some of the same restaurants you see
some of the same restaurants you see
some of the same restaurants you see McDonald’s you see Pizza Express you see
McDonald’s you see Pizza Express you see
McDonald’s you see Pizza Express you see Pizza Hut and that’s sort of worrying to
Pizza Hut and that’s sort of worrying to
Pizza Hut and that’s sort of worrying to me like are we losing something in this
me like are we losing something in this
me like are we losing something in this spread of global cuisine i was in dubai
spread of global cuisine i was in dubai
spread of global cuisine i was in dubai a couple weeks ago and that’s where this
a couple weeks ago and that’s where this
a couple weeks ago and that’s where this idea really struck me because dubai
idea really struck me because dubai
idea really struck me because dubai doesn’t have much of an actual local
doesn’t have much of an actual local
doesn’t have much of an actual local population it’s only about seventeen
population it’s only about seventeen
population it’s only about seventeen percent actual emirati so you don’t get
percent actual emirati so you don’t get
percent actual emirati so you don’t get a lot of like really unique local food
a lot of like really unique local food
a lot of like really unique local food everything’s sort of brought in you get
everything’s sort of brought in you get
everything’s sort of brought in you get Tim Hortons from Canada you get Apple
Tim Hortons from Canada you get Apple
Tim Hortons from Canada you get Apple views from America you get jollibee from
views from America you get jollibee from
views from America you get jollibee from the Philippines and for me Dubai
the Philippines and for me Dubai
the Philippines and for me Dubai therefore ends up feeling a bit like an
therefore ends up feeling a bit like an
therefore ends up feeling a bit like an airport food court with nice weather but
airport food court with nice weather but
airport food court with nice weather but the other thing that word means that big
the other thing that word means that big
the other thing that word means that big cities are going to feel like they need
cities are going to feel like they need
cities are going to feel like they need to extract themselves and be independent
to extract themselves and be independent
to extract themselves and be independent from the countries that they’re in
from the countries that they’re in
from the countries that they’re in because they don’t share a common
because they don’t share a common
because they don’t share a common culture anymore they’re not represented
culture anymore they’re not represented
culture anymore they’re not represented politically which I don’t I don’t want
politically which I don’t I don’t want
politically which I don’t I don’t want to happen i’m sure a lot of you didn’t
to happen i’m sure a lot of you didn’t
to happen i’m sure a lot of you didn’t support breaks it and voted remain and
support breaks it and voted remain and
support breaks it and voted remain and woke up and thought well we’ll start our
woke up and thought well we’ll start our
woke up and thought well we’ll start our own country then screw you will do our
own country then screw you will do our
own country then screw you will do our own independence thing I kind of felt
own independence thing I kind of felt
own independence thing I kind of felt that way but nobody really wants that we
that way but nobody really wants that we
that way but nobody really wants that we still have connections to the rest of
still have connections to the rest of
still have connections to the rest of the UK even if we don’t feel like it we
the UK even if we don’t feel like it we
the UK even if we don’t feel like it we have family we have friends we have
have family we have friends we have
have family we have friends we have businesses that we deal with all over
businesses that we deal with all over
businesses that we deal with all over all over Britain so nobody really wants
all over Britain so nobody really wants
all over Britain so nobody really wants that but I was still feeling a bit
that but I was still feeling a bit
that but I was still feeling a bit hopeless about this and how to sort of
hopeless about this and how to sort of
hopeless about this and how to sort of reconcile
reconcile
reconcile this big cultural divide especially
this big cultural divide especially
this big cultural divide especially thinking about food and I thought about
thinking about food and I thought about
thinking about food and I thought about my own hometown thought about where I
my own hometown thought about where I
my own hometown thought about where I grew up I grew up in a town called
grew up I grew up in a town called
grew up I grew up in a town called Racine Wisconsin small town about 80,000
Racine Wisconsin small town about 80,000
Racine Wisconsin small town about 80,000 people very white about two-thirds white
people very white about two-thirds white
people very white about two-thirds white no major immigrant population or ethnic
no major immigrant population or ethnic
no major immigrant population or ethnic populations there but even so in Racine
populations there but even so in Racine
populations there but even so in Racine Wisconsin first of all that’s where I
Wisconsin first of all that’s where I
Wisconsin first of all that’s where I became edged in Japanese food from
became edged in Japanese food from
became edged in Japanese food from watching TV and also if you look at some
watching TV and also if you look at some
watching TV and also if you look at some of the most popular restaurants in
of the most popular restaurants in
of the most popular restaurants in Racine Wisconsin their tie their Italian
Racine Wisconsin their tie their Italian
Racine Wisconsin their tie their Italian their Mexican the Chinese like they’re
their Mexican the Chinese like they’re
their Mexican the Chinese like they’re actually quite outward-looking and this
actually quite outward-looking and this
actually quite outward-looking and this is not a cosmopolitan town by the way
is not a cosmopolitan town by the way
is not a cosmopolitan town by the way we’re known mainly for our cleaning
we’re known mainly for our cleaning
we’re known mainly for our cleaning products you guys ever use febreze
products you guys ever use febreze
products you guys ever use febreze that’s us but even the supermarket in in
that’s us but even the supermarket in in
that’s us but even the supermarket in in Racine I was shocked last time I went
Racine I was shocked last time I went
Racine I was shocked last time I went there because there’s an isle of I think
there because there’s an isle of I think
there because there’s an isle of I think world foods they call it you can get
world foods they call it you can get
world foods they call it you can get three different kinds of sriracha sauce
three different kinds of sriracha sauce
three different kinds of sriracha sauce there and many kinds of tortillas and
there and many kinds of tortillas and
there and many kinds of tortillas and Latin American products it’s incredible
Latin American products it’s incredible
Latin American products it’s incredible so I thought I realized you know it
so I thought I realized you know it
so I thought I realized you know it doesn’t matter where you are or where
doesn’t matter where you are or where
doesn’t matter where you are or where you’re from you know in big cities we
you’re from you know in big cities we
you’re from you know in big cities we tend to have more access to and more
tend to have more access to and more
tend to have more access to and more exposure to international foods and so
exposure to international foods and so
exposure to international foods and so we tend to come to love them quickly and
we tend to come to love them quickly and
we tend to come to love them quickly and accept them quickly but that doesn’t
accept them quickly but that doesn’t
accept them quickly but that doesn’t mean that they’re exclusive to us I
mean that they’re exclusive to us I
mean that they’re exclusive to us I think quite the contrary people all over
think quite the contrary people all over
think quite the contrary people all over the world no matter where they are are
the world no matter where they are are
the world no matter where they are are going to be drawn to something that’s
going to be drawn to something that’s
going to be drawn to something that’s new and exotic just like I was when I
new and exotic just like I was when I
new and exotic just like I was when I was a teenager in Racine Wisconsin I
was a teenager in Racine Wisconsin I
was a teenager in Racine Wisconsin I think honestly you know I don’t know
think honestly you know I don’t know
think honestly you know I don’t know where the sort of globalized culture is
where the sort of globalized culture is
where the sort of globalized culture is going to take us ultimately but I do
going to take us ultimately but I do
going to take us ultimately but I do think it’s gonna at least in terms of
think it’s gonna at least in terms of
think it’s gonna at least in terms of food and the things we eat give us more
food and the things we eat give us more
food and the things we eat give us more in common and more of a shared language
in common and more of a shared language
in common and more of a shared language actually I think that deliciousness
actually I think that deliciousness
actually I think that deliciousness really knows no boundaries and I believe
really knows no boundaries and I believe
really knows no boundaries and I believe that delicious food can bridge great
that delicious food can bridge great
that delicious food can bridge great cultural divides thank
”
Be First to Comment