Fusion Cuisine and Korean Food

Adapting to Local Ingredients

• Immigrants often adapt recipes to local ingredients.
• Example: Mother in Germany (1980s) boiled jalapenos to mimic kimchi stew.
• Fusion food arises out of necessity and can lead to delicious new dishes.

Personal Background

• Speaker has a Korean mother and a white father.
• Grew up with a mix of Eastern and Western cuisines.
• Curious about fusion cuisine and the impact of migration on culinary traditions.

Case Study: Korean Food

Pocha 32 and Budeciga (Army-based Stew)

• Located in Manhattan's Korea Town
• Dish originated post-Korean War
• Combines Korean staples with Western canned foods (Spam, ham, sausage)
• Reflects scarcity and adaptation during war times

Evolution of Army-based Stew

• Traditionally looked down upon (Spam seen as low-quality food)
• Nowadays popular among young Koreans
• Modern variations include higher quality ingredients (rice cake, tofu, sweet potato, noodles)
• Essential ingredient: kimchi

Fusion vs. Authenticity

General Attitudes

• Fusion cuisine often viewed with suspicion and considered inauthentic.
• Fusion can also result from natural evolution rather than a deliberate trend.
• Example: Adding sriracha to a turkey sandwich or combining kimchi with pasta.

Korean Fried Chicken

• Popular in both Korea and the U.S.
• Influence of American culture post-Korean War
• Difficult to claim it as “authentically” Korean

Cultural Sharing vs. Cultural Appropriation

Learning and Sharing Korean Cuisine

• Information and recipes shared through digital platforms (e.g., YouTube)
• Allows for wide dissemination and personal adaptation

Financial Success of Non-Koreans in Korean Cuisine

• Mixed feelings about non-Koreans profiting from Korean cuisine
• Need for respect and authentic representation of cultural food

Personal Reflections

Childhood Experiences

• Speaker and others faced ridicule for bringing Korean food to school.
• Despite past negative experiences, they are happy about the increased acceptance of Korean food.

Changing Perceptions

• Increased global access to diverse cuisines
• Shift in attitudes towards foods once considered “strange”

Modern Korean American Cuisine

• Reflects the fusion and evolution of Korean cuisine in America
• Example: Quick, nutrient-rich dishes suitable for busy lifestyles

Conclusions

• Fusion cuisine has complex roots, often born from necessity.
• While fusion and authentic dishes may clash, they both contribute to the culinary landscape.
• The broader acceptance of fusion and authentic Korean foods reflects changing cultural attitudes.