#24: Speaking Asian

We absolutely have an unfortunate tendency in the US to lump all of Asia into one group, as though it’s not a vast region of the world with many rich and varied cultures, all speaking their own languages and wearing unique clothing and eating unique foods.

In our defense, though, we are often encouraged in that belief by Asian American restaurant owners. The number of Chinese or Thai restaurants that I’ve seen that advertise “Asian food” or say their dishes contain “Asian sauce” staggers belief. I can’t tell you whether any of them are good, though; I am disinclined to eat in a place that advertises “Asian food,” because if they don’t see the point in differentiating which cuisine they offer, I can’t imagine it’s particularly good.