The Fortune Cookie Chronicles

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    • Archive for May, 2009

    Ronald Takaki, Pioneer in Ethnic Studies, Dies at 70

    Sunday, May 31st, 2009

    As you might be aware, Ronald Takaki — a UCBerkeley professor, scholar and pioneer in ethnic studies — died last week. He committed suicide, his son said. Takaki has suffered from multiple sclerosis for 20 years. The Los Angeles Times has a detailed obituary by Elaine Woo. NPR has a remembrance by a colleague, Larry […]

    The Rubber Bands Are Heading in the Right Direction.

    Sunday, May 24th, 2009

    This is a fortune that was sent to me by a reader: I’m sending you a picture of a fortune I got out of a cookie about five or so years ago. It’s the strangest fortune I’ve ever received and I thought you might like to see it. I’ve kept it pinned on my bulletin […]

    Song Lyrics Exclusively From Fortune Cookie Fortunes

    Monday, May 18th, 2009

    This is an amusing stop animation video on YouTube where all the song lyrics are derived from fortune cookies. The funny thing is I’ve seen some of these fortunes before, like “The first and only love is self-love.” At 7 minutes, it looks like it took a long time to put together!

    Chinese-Mexican Food: The Chimale

    Saturday, May 16th, 2009

    This Associated Press article on the Korean taco trucks in Los Angeles mentioned something in passing that caught my eye: “Chimales,” Chinese-Mexican tamales stuffed with kung pao chicken or Chinese barbecue pork. They are topped off with a side of pico de gallo and sour cream. The chimales are made by DonChowTacos.com, whose motto is […]

    This Paper is Not Edible

    Saturday, May 9th, 2009

    My friend Tomoko, who lives in Tokyo, went to an upscale Chinese restaurant called Si Chuan Do Hua and had fortune cookies served to her. It was the first time it had happened to her. The fortune was in Japanese and English. The more amusing thing is that on the back it warned, in small […]

    Asian Foodprints at University of Toronto, cheesy shawarma pasta, and dan ta

    Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

    In case you were wondering: it is possible to wake up in New York City at 4:30 am and be in downtown Toronto by 9 for the beginning of a conference. Of course then you are not the most alert for the rest of the day. I attended the Asian Foodprints conference at University of […]

    Fortune Cookie Chronicles Appears on NYTBR Paperback Row

    Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

    In The New York Times this Sunday. THE FORTUNE COOKIE CHRONICLES: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food, by Jennifer 8. Lee. (Twelve, $13.) An American-born Chinese (and a New York Times reporter), Lee investigates the Chinese restaurant business — the origin of fortune cookies (Japan), the beginning of door-to-door delivery in New York, the […]