Connecting to Food on a Personal and Cultural Level

Food has an essential connection to memory.  The tastes, smells, textures, colours, even sounds of cooking are engrained into our minds and seem to spark a memory at the most random of times.  In both stories, memories of those loved people who have past are found through the food they eat. 

Ahn felt a divide in his cultural background between Korean and American which was amplified when referring to food. The stark contrasts between the deep tastes and smells of Korean food compared to more neutral American food left him feeling different than his other American friends until he essentially dropped Korean food all together.  Nicholson's family instead of growing up with amplified tastes ate bland food.  Simple dishes, a staple of potatoes and meat. Upon death, in both stories the diets of the main character changes.  Ahn revives a love for Korean food.  He heads back to his Korean roots in both language, culture and diet while making an effort to find a balance with his adopted countries traditions.  Nicholson's mother does the opposite, taking the opportunity to eat foods that her deceased husband had not enjoyed. 

I did not notice my own personal and cultural connections to food until I left home.  At home my family would visit my grandmothers for supper nearly once a week. On these days we would eat potatoes, meat and cooked vegetables, in a different form each time. The desserts are a special part of supper.  She has five desserts; eclairs, gingerbread, pineapple upside down cake, short bread or rice pudding.  On the way to dinner we always bet on which one it will be.  At home we eat pasta dishes or rice dishes nearly every night.

Upon arriving to Colorado the most common food I found is Mexican.  Being from Canada, mexican food is not common and if available it is definitely not very spicy.  I find myself missing my mother, father and grandmother's cooking.  Like both Ahn and Nicholson I will find myself eating, smelling or seeing something familiar and going back to a memory of a former meal with my family.  It is remarkable how food can bring people together and become part of a relationship both culturally and personally.