Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Lonely Legacy of Spam
food52 ^ | 12/18/2020 | eric kim

Posted on 12/18/2020 8:54:25 PM PST by mylife

“Spam is the ultimate loner food,” said the chef Esther Choi, who lives in a one-bedroom by herself in New York City. Working late hours to keep the lights on at all of her restaurants, Ms. Yoo and two Mŏkbar locations (with one more on the way), Choi doesn’t get to cook meals at home for herself very often. But when she does, she turns to the simple things: fried Spam, eggs, and Hetbahn, a single serving of Korean microwavable rice. “Even though I’m a chef and I can make anything in the world,” she said, “when I’m by myself, those are the things I want to eat.”

This is a common fugue for many Asian Americans: Spam, eggs, and rice. The nostalgic valances that stem from that salty, pink block of luncheon meat go way back for some of us, not least because it represents a very specific experience: what it was like growing up in America with immigrant parents. Choi remembers, for instance, only eating Spam when her mom and dad were out for the night, usually at work. On such evenings, she and her sister were in charge of feeding themselves and their younger brother. Spam was an obvious choice, not least because it was so easy to heat: Just slice the block into thin rectangles and sear in a dry pan until crispy on both sides, like bacon. (No oil needed. There’s plenty of fat in the product itself.)

(Excerpt) Read more at food52.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Food; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: food; spam
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-68 last

Where uncle Sam goes, there is Spam..


61 posted on 12/19/2020 7:28:31 AM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Harmless Teddy Bear

***And turkey spam is a crime against God and Man.***

Bought a can, could not choke it down. Gave it to the dogs and have never touched another can of turkey Spam since.


62 posted on 12/19/2020 7:34:45 AM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

The bacon SPAM is proof that NOT EVERYTHING is better with bacon.


63 posted on 12/19/2020 8:17:40 AM PST by Semper Vigilantis (FYI: People SUCCEED, States SECEDE.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: redfreedom

That’s a new one for me!

Strange Product Allegedly Meat....

Scientifically Processed Animal Matter....


64 posted on 12/19/2020 8:24:42 AM PST by M1903A1 ("We shed all that is good and virtuous for that which is shoddy and sleazy...and call it progress" )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: outofsalt

Sounds good will have to try that


65 posted on 12/19/2020 8:50:40 AM PST by Bob434
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: LegendHasIt

That spam salad sandwich sounds good. What do you think of adding some diced white onion? Too much?


66 posted on 12/19/2020 3:06:36 PM PST by Silentgypsy (Call an addiction hotline and say you're hooked on phonics.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: outofsalt
I mix deviled ham with creamy horseradish and chopped green olives.

Served on toast.

67 posted on 12/19/2020 3:10:23 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Dear Clare, The awkward time is almost over. Love, Normal Americans)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Silentgypsy

Actually, I do like it with onion. I just forgot to list it.

And you can also add chopped hard boiled egg. Green peas, etc.


68 posted on 12/19/2020 3:26:13 PM PST by LegendHasIt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-68 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson