As the Korean idiom goes, Korea is positioned between China and Japan like a shrimp between two whales. These two powerful countries have shaped Korean culture and its food through peaceful exchange as well as occupation. From the early influence of Chinese language and religion, to the destabilization of Japanese occupation, and communist China’s support of the current divided state, the cultural and political exchange between the three nations is complicated and ongoing.

Throughout the turmoil, a distinctly Korean hybrid cuisine emerged: the marriage of Northern Chinese and Korean dishes are the crux of modern Korean delivery services today. And Japanese-Western foods have been co-opted by Koreans chefs, becoming staples of comfort food cooking in Korea. These exchanges have fundamentally changed the ways that Koreans eat, from soy sauce manufacturing to rice agriculture.

Join Irene Yoo as she provides the context for the complex history of Korean cuisine, she will then moderate a discussion with Esther Choi, Sohui Kim, and Eric Kim about the impact on their own personal, culinary histories. An informal reception with samples of Korean-Chinese and Korean-Japanese dishes prepared by Yooeating & MOFAD featuring products provided by Gotham Grove will follow.

To learn more about the event, visit MOFAD here