The Bird and the Fish: To Be Continued
I once heard an adage about a bird and a fish who fell in love. The conundrum of this tale of futility was where they would make their home. Today, the world is full of birds and fish fighting the odds. So, the story I tell here is the sequel: The bird and the fish have already married, despite the objections of their rather homogenous families, and spawned amphibious offspring that live both on land and in water. It’s an action/thriller/drama/comedy/documentary and playing in a house near you. Or maybe it is you.
This world is heterogeneous. Always has been and always will be. Living, organic beings cannot be contained, no matter the odds. This applies to people. People travel, they think, they grow, they taste. And they fall in love.
Beautiful kimono with crane images
My bird and fish parents couldn’t agree more. Being from two distinct ethnic heritages, they come from different lands, carry their own traditions and beliefs and speak their own languages. Sometimes, it can get a little bit like this:
Just kidding. It's not really like this. (source: http://www.wildaboutmovies.com)/
Growing up in my household was a multicultural and multilingual experience—and sitting around the dinner table is sure to yield a lesson in global diversity. Four different languages (Spanish, Quechua, Japanese and English) and food choices are often represented with great gusto.
Tasty gyoza pork-filled dumpling dipping in white vinegar, soy sauce and Chinese chile oil
However, food is a great unifier. My theory is that if it tastes great, no matter what nation or culture a dish is rooted in, people of all nations and cultures will eat it. Wanka (Peruvian Indigenous people) love corn, potatoes, soups, stews and other hearty dishes. And when I think of Japanese food, I think of rice, fish (really anything from the ocean), tofu and other soy products, azuki red beans, mountain veggies and roots, and more rice. And despite any hesitation, these two food cultures can and do mingle, flirt and romance each other.
Taiyaki: Japanese waffles filled with azuki sweet red beans
Both cultures share a common thread that also links them with other world cultures and their love of food: There is no shortage of cooperation, devotion, creativity, innovation and tempered pride in the cultivation of ingredients or in their preparation—from earth to kitchen.
Scrumptious Japanese manju (teacakes) at Mikawaya Bakery in Gardena, CA: Exterior made from pounded sweet sticky rice. Filled with azuki red bean or sweet lima bean paste
So, being of Japanese descent for me has also entailed more than awareness of my family history. Especially because I am of mixed heritage, “being Japanese” is about practicing being Japanese. Especially since I am not fluent in the language, I must therefore find additional ways of being Japanese. And I have found that one of the easiest ways to do that is by eating. By eating Japanese food, one can gain tremendous insight into language, history, international relations and contemporary contexts of Japan. Eating, while simultaneously learning about the significance of food is an amazing opportunity for family closeness and personal cultural reaffirmation.
A Japanese staple: The ramen noodle counter at Bistro Miyoda Noodle House in CA
"Ground Meat Noodle" at Bistro Miyoda: Handmade noodles with ground pork in a miso and soy sauce broth
However, it is important to remember that like other food cultures, Japanese cuisine borrows (ramen itself originated in China), changes and shares, all while occupying a growing diaspora—For example, my family members recall that over 40 years ago in LA there were hardly any sushi restaurants. Now, you can get rolls at the mall!
I haven't seen this display at the local mall just yet though: Tasty-looking plastic food at a Marukai Market food booth
In my immediate day-to-day, I’m not always surrounded by crowds of Asian and Japanese people. Going to Little Tokyo or Marukai Market in California re-immerses me in Japaneseness. And it feels good. So my family and I enjoy venturing to Japanese hot spots, no matter how out of the way they may be. The following are some of my favorite items to pick up, several of which are treats.
Item 1. Mmmmmeat! Sometimes, ya gotta have it. And yay for no hormones or antibiotics!
Item 2: Fish and Octopus. Octopus is the other other white meat--For when you like it tough and chewy.
Item 3: Hello, lover! Spongy, soft swiss cake in various flavors.
Item 4: Mochi ice cream of course! Possibly the most awesome dessert EVER.
Item 5: Pretty much anything Hawaiian rocks!
Being a member of a globally conscious and compassionate society means engaging in meaningful discourse with each other. I remember a story from my childhood about a young Japanese girl who tried to make a thousand cranes before she passed away from nuclear radiation. War is “crazy time,” as my wise father says, and too many horrors are committed, too many wrongs that must be righted, for which we are responsible. But I think the point the story was trying to make is that we here have the opportunity to build peace. Somehow.
Origami paper: Simple tools for remembering peace.
How fortunate we are as human beings to have food as part of that protocol—the importance of breaking bread is increasingly crucial, for all of us.
If you are of mixed ethnic heritages or have children of mixed heritage, we’d love to hear your stories of how you merge languages, cultures and of course food traditions, into your lives and how you incorporate other food loves into your home as well!
For more information on Japanese mixed-heritage people, please see the Hafu film information or the Hafu Film Project. For more information about the story of the thousand cranes, search for Sadako Sasaki and the thousand cranes. Or view the Hiroshima International School website Thousand Cranes Club.
*Please note that neither Zomppa nor the author endorse the projects or products linked, but only make mention of them to fuel additional resource searches. A special thanks to my significant other, parents and family for assisting with photos, travel and a lifetime of continuous learning.
Category: Asia Pacific, Featured Articles: Travel & Culture, Mexico, Lat & South America, Travel & Culture, US & Canada
Growing up in a strongly rooted Asian culture, I decided that when i reached adulthood that I would treat food as a gateway to exploring other cultures. I’m finding more similarities than differences. Also the deeper I delve, the better appreciation I gain of each culture’s history and its influence on their food.
Well, I am the product of an Scottish/Irish mother and an American father who met in Italy, and that’s where I spent my childhood before hitting Irish shores, then Scottish ones, then Spanish and Israeli ones, and also US ones for 5 years. So, yeah, I fully get the multi-cultural experience and have always embraced diversity in my life. While all this hopping around has made me a little confused about my ethnic identity, I remain eternally grateful to my family and upbringing for having instilled in me a love for the whole world and it’s many different cultures and food varieties!!!
@Christine: I love how you frame your experience: food as a “gateway to other cultures.” How true and wonderful this is!
@Kat: Your worldview is beautiful–a “love for the whole world.” And thank you for also reminding us that through our cultures and our acknowledgment and respect of diverse food traditions that we all belong to each other.
What a perfectly Zomppafield piece! Food is the thing that binds us together, no matter what – and bridges those gaps.
Awesome piece Liz! Food definitely tells so much about a people, culture, etc. Great to hear your perspective. Thanks for sharing!
Someday…I would like to travel countries solely for the purpose of eating food..and I would like to nominate you as my Pocahontas…
Scheduled gym visits will be included..unfortunately.
As a French-ish/Mexican/Salish/Scot…I..well..can relate greatly. I’m still working on exploring all my parts in all ways. The identity confusion I’ve traipsed through has kept me very well fed.
Now I must go eat some food after drooling over your images and words.
@ Belinda and Tonija: Thanks you, my fellow eater, traveler, bridgers.
@ Pagina: LOL, Paige! I like the scheduled gym visits part. It’s just a must these days!
As a person of multicultural origins who married someone completely different and had a whole bunch of “half bird-half fish” totally mixed up offspring, I could not love your post more!! There’s always too much resistance, too narrow perceptions, but love and hunger always find a way
I must say I totally enjoy experiencing the life and food of different cultures. When I lived in South Korea, I was totally blown away by the wonderful people, place and food. I hope to go back again. Now that I’m in Scotland, I’m again intrigued by the awesome beautiful of the place, people and food which is completely different from those in Asian countries. Nothing to complain here except for the extreme cold weather. Hope to move to a warmer place one dat. Love that taiyaki. It was my favourite when I was in Korea. Thanks very much for sharing a lovely post.
Love, LOVE this post! I’m just a plain-old American mutt, but I greatly appreciate the multi-cultural influences on society. I know your life-experience must have been filled with a mingling of hardship and enlightenment…evident in your outlook on life, family, and food. Food really is the common denominator in all cultures, isn’t it!
Wow, great pictures Liz…I loved reading your post
Even being exposed to so many different heritages I still always learn new things…thanks!
I enjoyed reading your post..food really brings people together and you can learn a lot about other cultures through their food..what a fun and delicious way to learn!
What a great post…yes it seems that food is a binding source
As I live in a multicultural country with different cuisines I agree that food can be universal unifier between people. This is why I adore exploring new cultures via food delights
Excellent article!
Cheers,
Gera
Thank you all for sharing some of your stories with us! I loved reading about your rich experiences–whether we are raised in a non-western culture or not, your food adventures and loves and willingness to teach us through your own posts is pretty awesome. Thanks for re-affirming why I write for Zomppa.
For years we have distributed Red and Black Caviar for wholesale suppliers and retail stores.We are able to proudly pass our products along to you, our customers who have made us one of the largest Red and Black Caviar distributors in the United States.