Book Nook: A Very Asian Guide to Korean Food

 

If a child is white, they probably see the food of their family represented on TV all the time. Not all non-white kids get to see that. That’s what veteran journalist and news anchor Michelle Li was thinking when she mentioned on air that her Korean family eats dumplings for the New Year. Then, she received a racist comment that ended up going viral.

Helping Asian kids feel represented in American Culture is one of the reasons Li co-founded The Very Asian Foundation and why she teamed up with Gloo Books for A Very Asian Guide to Korean Food. The illustrated picture book introduces young readers to classic and modern Korean dishes and provides fun facts about the foods and culture of Korea. It teaches children about understanding the customs and traditions of Korea while celebrating them as well. 

I had a chance to interview Li about the book.

Why is it important for kids (and adults) to learn about elements of culture, such as food?

 

You learn so much about other people through food. Often times, the first introduction to someone’s culture is through a meal. We celebrate with a great meal. We mourn together with a meal. Time and time again, food is about love and togetherness.

 

For me, learning about Korean food was the first step as an adoptee to learn about Korean culture. When I was growing up, adoptive parents were encouraged to assimilate their children into society— which frankly didn’t account that there could be anything but a white standard. Often parents did not introduce Korean food to their children, and sometimes that led to kids yucking at their own birth culture. I’ve gone to Korea with adoptive families in the 90s and early 2000s where American parents would not eat Korean food because they thought it tasted weird— and what an awful message that was to send to their children. It was as if to say, we like you, but we don’t like your birth culture or your food. 

 

It is so important for children to have acceptance and celebrate each other. And food is a big part of that. Asian American kids often have stories about bringing “stinky lunches“ to schools, and we really have to teach young people to stop yucking someone else’s yum. As a kid who grew up on bologna sandwiches, boiled eggs, and ranch Doritos, I don’t think I had the right to criticize anyone’s lunch!

 

Food breaks down barriers. Food is culture. Food is life!

 

What makes food a particularly appropriate way to introduce other cultures?

 

A lot of times, people cannot go to other countries to experience food or culture, but they can have a better understanding of both by celebrating or exploring those foods. There can be so much learning and understanding from sharing a meal.

 

How can adults introduce their kids to new (to them) flavors at home?

 

In my house, I always talk up food a long time before we try it. For example, just the other night, I went to a restaurant to pick up some Korean food for dinner. My son was with me when we picked it up, so I just talked it up all the way home, and by the time we got home, he was excited to eat noodles and dumplings. This kid literally lives off butter noodles, so it’s a big deal when he enjoys something else. He craves seaweed and rice, and that is something we did by just talking it up first. And now, he doesn’t care if he is the only one in his class or group that thinks it’s tasty. A few kids turn their noses to it, and my son shrugs it off and says, …”but I like it!” At this age, he has a lot of confidence about what he likes. I hope it stays that way.

 

I also never force any food on my son. That never worked for me as a child, and I can only hope and assume his taste buds will flourish as he gets older.

 

Another thing I think is very important, is I do not let him call food stinky or gross. We like to say things taste different than what we are used to. And I ask that he always tries something. He doesn’t have to like it, but he should try it.

 

In the end, I just try to make food approachable and lighthearted for now. 

Michelle Li is an award-winning, veteran journalist who co-launched The Very Asian Foundation in January 2022 alongside friend and fellow journalist Gia Vang. Her response to a racist voicemail became a global movement of unity and caught the attention of The Ellen Show. Ellen’s monetary gift of $15,000 helped start the seed money to create a non profit focused on shining a light on Asian experiences through advocacy and celebration.  Michelle spent many years supporting adoptees through heritage camps and volunteer tours to Korea. She also launched a program to support Missouri children in foster care. All of this led to a congressional award in 2010. Michelle’s journalistic work has been honored with a national Peabody Award, several national Murrows, and multiple regional Emmys– often dealing with race or gender inequities. Michelle has appeared on CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, and The Washington Post. Michelle currently resides in St. Louis with her family. She is @michellelitv on most platforms. A Very Asian Guide to Korean Food is her first children's book.