Shows to watch while eating
Food is a central part of family and community, of care and love, and of identity and belonging. Naturally, it can be a complicated and emotionally messy subject for Asian Americans and other diasporic Asians; and when you add queerness into the mix, there can be some really powerful stuff (consider QTViệt Cafe Collective in Oakland, CA; or the role of potlucks in the history of queer asian american social formation; or the use of recipes and cooking together as a mode of quiet affirmation; or Yaeji's Curry in No Hurry project).
Here are shows I've watched which provide mouthwatering depictions in each episode of food/cooking/eating, along with interesting explorations of the cultural and social meanings behind/around food:
-
![Kinou Nani Tabeta?]()
1. Kinou Nani Tabeta?
Japanese Drama - 2019, 12 episodes
A joyful appreciation of the ritual of eating, of cooking for/with others as care, of all the senses involved in food, of finding good deals at the grocery store, and of queer love.
-
![Mâncare cu Dragoste]()
2. Mâncare cu Dragoste
Korean Drama - 2018, 38 episodes
A love letter for jajangmyeon and Chinese cuisine as comfort food, professional cooking, and running a good restaurant.
-
![Hospital Playlist]()
3. Hospital Playlist
Korean Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
The characters in this heartwarming series eat really well together all the time. Don't watch on an empty stomach!
-
![Life is Beautiful]()
4. Life is Beautiful
Korean Drama - 2010, 63 episodes
Cooking and eating together as familial love, following a mother who is a well-known cook and the matriarch of a large extended family.
-
![To My Star]()
5. To My Star
Korean Drama - 2021, 9 episodes
One of the main characters works as a chef and he teaches the other main character how to cook, so there are occasional scenes of really delicious-looking food.
-
![Old Fashion Cupcake]()
6. Old Fashion Cupcake
Japanese Drama - 2022, 5 episodes
In this mature office romance, food is interwoven with desire and love for life.
-
![Koi Senu Futari]()
7. Koi Senu Futari
Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
This quiet comedy about two aro-ace people living together features lots of tasty-looking meals!
