You might think food brings people together. But online, it has sparked some of Asia’s fiercest cultural disputes. From Singapore and Malaysia arguing over Hainanese chicken rice and hawker centres, to China and South Korea clashing over kimchi and bibimbap, food has become a proxy for deeper debates about history, identity and power.
Dishes migrate across borders and governments now stake claims over recipes and food cultures - even durian has ended up drawing in the United Nations.
In this episode, host Mariko Oi is joined by Asia Specific podcast journalists, Derek Cai and Rachel Lee, to unpack why food disputes are often most intense between close neighbours, and why they’ve become louder in the age of tourism branding and soft power.
Chinese American chef and food writer Jenny Dorsey also reflects on why food is never just about taste - and how questions of ownership, authenticity and belonging shape the way we eat and argue.
Asia Specific brings you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the Asia Pacific region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends.
Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people.
Whether it is the latest on trade between China and Donald Trump, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy - we unpack what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter.
Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt
Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk
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