While food is at the heart of ethnic, religious, and cultural heritage, at the same time foods can quickly cross ethnic and national boundaries to become part of the daily life of local communities. For Los Angeles in particular, foods and drinks from East, Southeast, and South Asia are no longer only imported but are often now produced here and have found their way into supermarket shelves, farmers markets, and the kitchens of top chefs. The foods and drinks we consume provide a window onto the transformations that globalization brings in Asia as well as bringing Asia into the daily life and identity of Los Angeles.
Program
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
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Food Across the Pacific
A roundtable forum featuring new research by UCLA graduate students and scholars
Moderated by Valerie Matsumoto, Professor of History, UCLA
Closing remarks by Carl Chu, author of Finding Chinese Food in Los Angeles and The Search for Sushi
I. A Movable Feast
Balancing the Exotic and the Familiar: The Success of Yang Chow Restaurant (SF Valley) Outside the Chinese Ethnic Enclave
Jessica Harris (Afro-American Studies)
Eating at the Edge of Ulaanbaatar: Consuming Landscape
Rick Miller (Geography)
Food Practices of the Okinawan Diaspora
Marie Sato (Asian American Studies)
Global (re)mix: Family, Food, and Fusion in Japanese Cuisine
Vivian Wong (Information Studies)
II. You Are What You Eat and Drink
Shooting, Scoring, and Spam Musubi: Food Culture, Ethnic Identity, Community Building within Japanese American Youth Basketball Leagues
Christina Chin (Sociology)
Beyond “Living La Vida Boba”-Youth and Transnational Asian America
J.P. de Guzman (History)
Finding Home in Koreatown Coffee Shops
Brian Kim (Asian American Studies)
Serving Communities: Indonesian Eateries in Los Angeles and Beyond
Dahlia Setiyawan (History)
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12:30 – 2:00 pm
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Lunch break: A boxed lunch provided by Banchan à la Carte will be available for purchase for $10. Advance reservation is required (cash or check payable at the door).
Interactive Exhibits:
The Asian Market: Sourcing Asian Ingredients in LA - Minnie Luong of Minnie Eat World blog
Farming in the Korean Urban Environment - Photographs by CedarBough Saeji
Food and Culture of Indonesia - Consulate General of Indonesia
Varieties of Tea - Eastrise Trading Corp.
Six Tastes of Asia in LA - Six Taste Tours and A Grocery Warehouse
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2:00 – 4:00 pm
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Asian Cuisine from Market to Table
A conversation with:
Carl Chu
Author, Chinese Food Finder: A Guide to Chinese Regional Cuisines and Search for Sushi: A Gastronomic Guide
Jet Tila
Executive Chef, Wazuzu Restaurant, Las Vegas
Kenny Enomoto
Marketing Manager, Marukai Supermarkets, Torrance
Moderated by Merry White, Professor of Anthropology, Boston University
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4:00 – 6:00 pm
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A Taste of Asia
Reception with tasting opportunities provided by Banchan à la Carte, Bombay Café, the Clay Pit, Hop Woo BBQ Seafood, Saffron Spot, Simpang Asia, and Tiger Sushi
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Learn about past programs and find out more about Asia in LA.
The UCLA Asia Institute wishes to thank the following sponsors of Asia in LA 2010:
Friends of the Asia Institute
- The Sammy Yukuan Lee Foundation
- Patsy and Robert Sung and The Edna and Yu-Shan Han Charitable Foundation

Parking is available in Structure 6 on the UCLA campus for $10. For campus map and parking directions, please visit http://transportation.ucla.edu.
Nick Menzies
310-825-0007
nmenzies@international.ucla.edu
www.international.ucla.edu/asia
Sponsor(s): Asia Pacific Center