Food Origins: Boba

Boba’s journey to global acclaim is as layered as its toppings. Not long ago, Simu Liu unapologetically defended the cultural significance of boba, and twelve-year-old me beamed with pride! Growing up in the ’90s, boba wasn’t widely embraced in the States. Reactions to the chewy tapioca pearls ranged from curiosity to outright disgust. Other kids […]

Chef’s Table with Frances Tariga

Throughout her 21-year career in the culinary industry, Chef Frances Tariga has served dignitaries, participated in televised food competitions, and worked in numerous renowned restaurants in Manhattan. Her hunger for success has led her to face many challenges that helped her grow as a person. “When I was on Top Chef, I was like, ‘I’m […]

Food Origins: Fortune Cookie

What is it about the crispy crescent-shaped cookie, brought out at the end of a large meal on a little black tray carrying your check that brings a childlike excitement to the end of a meal? Some of us probably don’t even care so much for the actual cookie. We just want to crack it […]

A Crash Course on Mid-Autumn Festivals

This year’s Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on Sept. 17, but what exactly is this holiday for? With how vast Asia is, let’s look into the origin and history of the Mid-Autumn Festival and how some Asian countries and regions compare with their Harvest Moon traditions. The celebration of Lunar New Year is one of the […]

Food Origins: Ice-Cream

What brings us pure joy on a perfect sunny day, comfort when the weight of the world has turned us into a couch potato, and brings together great company and banter? Ice cream, the universally loved treat is one of the greatest man made creations to ever exist! And it has a fascinating history that […]

Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival: Why Have One in Lowell?

Want something fun to do this month in Massachusetts? Visit the Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival on Saturday the 17th at the Lowell Heritage State Park from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. (via Facebook)! The Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival official site says that this annual event is dedicated to celebrating the cultures of Southeast Asian […]

Asian Diaspora Athletes that are Shining at the 2024 Paris Olympics

The Olympics have captivated the world once more, this time in Paris. With the power of social media and the internet, it’s not hard to get a peek at the who’s who in the games. Not to mention the returning and debuting Asian diaspora athletes on Team USA that are hungry for a gold medal.  […]

Food Origins: The Churro

Whether they are covered in cinnamon sugar or dunked in a thick gooey cup of Spanish hot chocolate, churros are one of my favorite snacks or desserts. The chewy inside and crisp fried outside…mmm! What’s not to love? While many of us know these doughy sticks of deliciousness as a Spanish and Portuguese treat (or […]