At this point in our lives we’re all a little bit sick of take out. But hold up! HBO has a new take on take out and it will change the way you look at food and culture. Take Out with Lisa Ling is a beautiful way to celebrate Asian food and an incredible access point into the history and contributions of Asian Americans to North American foodways.
Lisa Ling at her parent’s Chinese restaurant. Courtesy HBO Max.
Says Ling, “When people think of Asian food, they often think it’s limited to Chinese, sushi and, maybe Thai food. But there is just so much. I’m glad that people are becoming much more adventurous, because food does tell stories. And we are experiencing a time where there’s so much division and misunderstanding and discord. And I think that one of the best ways to get to know different immigrant communities is through their food.”
The show travels across the US; from the Filipino influence on Louisiana gumbo, to Korean communities in Fairfax, Virginia, to the multitudes of Bangledeshi restaurateurs in NYC. And there are kimchibacks – like picklebacks but with kimchi!
