Food
How Japan’s breakfast culture became part of chrononutrition science
In Japan, breakfast has long been treated as a proper meal: rice, soup, fish and fermented foods eaten before work or school. Researchers now say those routines may align closely with how the body…
Trump’s Iran war is forcing Thai and Vietnamese farmers to rethink planting rice
Shipping delays and surging logistics costs tied to the Iran war are disrupting rice exports from Thailand and Vietnam, two of the world’s largest suppliers. Vietnam primarily ships rice to regional…
Kimchi listed in US dietary guidelines for 1st time
Kimchi is named for the first time in the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, appearing in a section that addresses fermented foods and gut health. The updated guidelines, released last week by…
Kimchi can boost immune system, new study finds
A new study in South Korea found that eating kimchi powder every day can make key immune cells more alert while helping the body maintain steady immune control. Researchers say these changes suggest…
Forget the turkey: Asian American families reinvent the Thanksgiving table
Roast duck has become a stand-in for turkey in many Asian American households, and pancit or kimchi often fills the space usually held by mashed potatoes. Families who grew up with Chinese, Filipino…
Landmark study links ultra processed foods to chronic diseases worldwide
A global review published by The Lancet reports that many familiar convenience foods, including instant noodles, sweetened beverages and packaged snacks, are linked to higher risks of chronic disease…
Italian pizzeria owner apologizes for mocking Taiwanese tourists
An Italian restaurant owner has issued a video apology to the Taiwanese community following a wave of negative online reviews sparked by his criticism of a tour group’s dining habits. Patrizio…
What Michelin Guide’s 1st Philippine edition means for underrepresented cuisines
The world’s most influential dining guide has entered the Philippines, unveiling its 2026 selection on Oct. 30 and extending its reach across Southeast Asia. The launch brings Philippine restaurants…
Japan’s sushi master Jiro Ono turns 100
Tokyo sushi chef Jiro Ono, founder of the world-renowned Sukiyabashi Jiro, turned 100 on Monday, marking a century of dedication to his craft. The celebrated Ginza restaurant, which became the first…
Vietnam moves to enshrine pho as UNESCO cultural heritage
Vietnam is moving to nominate its beloved noodle soup pho for recognition by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism confirmed during a seminar in Hanoi…
Son Fish Sauce launches nationwide at 99 Ranch Market
Son Fish Sauce, a fourth-generation Vietnamese fish sauce brand, is now available nationwide at all 99 Ranch Market and 168 Market locations across the United States. The rollout brings one of…
First female sushi chef to win Michelin star keeps promise to late husband
Chizuko Kimura honored a promise to her dying husband by taking over Sushi Shunei in Paris and mastering the art of Edomae-style sushi. In March, Kimura, 54, became the first female sushi chef to…
SF chef breaks silence amid severe fallout from viral belittling of TikTok influencer
A San Francisco chef has issued a public apology after a viral confrontation with a “micro influencer” at his restaurant, which led to his exit and the permanent closure of the business. What…
One of America’s oldest Chinese restaurants may close after 114 years
The Pekin Noodle Parlor, one of the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurants in the U.S. and the oldest that has remained in the same family, may soon close after more than a century in…
Condom prank in Tokyo continues ‘sushi terrorism’ trend in Japan
A 16-year-old boy in Tokyo has been referred to prosecutors after allegedly posting a photo of an unwrapped condom placed in the plate collection slot of a Kura Sushi restaurant. The incident…
US rice found to have high levels of arsenic, cadmium
New testing reveals that virtually all rice sold in the U.S. contains arsenic and cadmium, with one-fourth of samples exceeding federal safety limits established for infant rice cereal. Key findings:…
Korean American astronaut Jonny Kim shares gochujang burger recipe from space
NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, the first Korean American to fly to space, recently shared a video of himself preparing and eating a burger made with Taeyang gochujang aboard the International Space…
Asian food vendors banned from Fresno farmers market reinstated after backlash
River Park shopping center in Fresno, California announced Friday that Asian food vendors will be welcomed back to its popular farmers market and food truck events, reversing a controversial decision…
Jack Daniel’s Presents: Why Koreans eat jeon during Lunar New Year—and what it means
For chef and culinary content creator Kevin Lee, Lunar New Year has always been about food, family, and tradition. And at the center of it all? Jeon—crispy, golden-brown Korean pancakes that bring…
NextShark takes equity stake in Son Fish Sauce to drive Vietnamese legacy and sustainable food innovation
NextShark is thrilled to announce that Son Fish Sauce, a groundbreaking venture at the intersection of Vietnamese tradition, sustainability, and food innovation, has joined its portfolio of companies…
Pizza Hut China releases pizza topped with fried whole frog
Pineapple on a pizza may sound not so bad to some now after Pizza Hut China released a pizza topped with a whole frog. Announced on Pizza Hut China’s WeChat on Nov. 18, the otherworldly menu,…
Burger King Japan releases a very Japanese Whopper
Burger King Japan has released a Whopper with rice sandwiched between two rice-made buns. Dubbed the “Kyoto Whopper,” the burger contains the traditional Burger King patty, lettuce, onion and tomato.…
Portland amends odor code months after forced closure of pho restaurant
City Council members in Portland, Oregon, headed by Commissioner Carmen Rubio, voted to amend the city’s odor code on Nov. 13. The long-awaited move came in response to the forced closure of…
Seattle sushi chain’s fortune turns to woe after influencer’s review vid sparks ‘worm’ claims
Popular sushi chain FOB Sushi Bar has temporarily closed its Seattle and Bellevue locations after a viral review by influencer Keith Lee sparked concerns about food safety. While the 28-year-old…
FDA investigates ‘forever chemicals’ in seafood
The FDA is launching an investigation into the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” in seafood. This initiative, which aims to assess the risks…
Korean American produces Korea’s first single malt whisky
Bryan Do, the Korean American founder of Korea’s first single malt whisky distillery, Three Societies, has taken a winding path to success. After a career spanning journalism, PR and even a stint at…
Why thousands of Chinese students bicycled overnight for dumplings
Nighttime cycling for dumplings has become a viral sensation in central China, drawing thousands of university students who pedal from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng for a taste of the city’s famous “guantang…
Popular Japanese mochi shop to open first US location in SoCal
Warabimochi Kamakura, a popular Japanese mochi shop, will open its first U.S. location at The Shops at Santa Anita in Arcadia, California, on Oct. 31. The shop is known for warabimochi made from…
Meet Japan’s ‘Instant Ramen King’ who’s consumed ramen every day for 30 years
Sokusekisai Oyama, Japan’s “Instant Ramen King,” has dedicated over 30 years to his passion for instant noodles, consuming at least one serving daily and totaling over 10,000 cups. A former…
Popular Taiwanese boba brand shows how they make their brown sugar boba milk
The U.S. branch of Xing Fu Tang, a popular Taiwanese bubble tea chain, has shared how it prepares its signature brown sugar boba milk in an ASMR-style video. In a five-minute TikTok clip posted on…
Gen Z wants more Japanese, Korean options in delis and bakeries: report
Gen Z consumers are increasingly seeking global flavors, particularly Japanese, Korean and street food options in delis and bakeries. Chicago-based market research company Circana, in collaboration…
Culinary debate: Is Jollibee or Mesa a truer representation of Filipino culture?
A TikTok user, who goes by @Bittersweetblood, sparked a debate on social media after expressing their frustration with the frequent recommendation of Jollibee as the embodiment of Filipino culture,…
UK restaurant is letting go of its ‘pho’ trademark after massive backlash
U.K.-based Pho Restaurant reportedly filed a request to surrender its trademark on the word “pho” following intense backlash on social media. What the restaurant is saying: Pho Restaurant trademarked…
How Asian cuisine is taking over the world’s taste buds
Asian cuisine is taking over the global culinary scene, shifting from “emerging” to front and center on the world stage. According to the Future of Food Report 2025 by Luxury Group, research and…
Most Japanese diners prefer conveyor belt sushi restaurants, survey reveals
The 2024 Revolving Sushi Consumer Survey in Japan reveals that over 70% of participants prefer dining at conveyor belt sushi restaurants. Data shows that 70.5% favor these establishments over buying…
UK restaurant chain responds to latest backlash over ‘Pho’ trademark
U.K.-based chain Pho Restaurant has issued a statement in response to renewed backlash over its trademark of the word “Pho.” About the trademark: Founded in 2005 by Stephen and Juliette Wall, Pho…
