SPAAC SNACC SPAAC SNACC

Did you want to yell and rant when the whole Mahjong Line thing surfaced? Were you confused about the situation and why people called it an act of cultural appropriation? In this episode of Banchan!, Pauline and Christina break down how The Mahjong Line's "revamp" of mahjong constitutes a classic case of racist cultural appropriation and why calling it "cultural appreciation" in this instance just ISN'T IT. Also, did you know that mahjong is food culture? We talk about the broader culture that surrounds mahjong before delivering some local food news in Seattle. 

Links and articles mentioned can be found at our podcast page on divergingmag.com 

Is there anything as beautiful as watching the birth of a donut? Not according to Thomas! For this holiday season, celebrate the birth of a holy child with a scrumptious holey dessert. In this episode, we talk about why it’s spelled ‘donut’ and ‘doughnut’, highlight its Asian American history, and share some of our favorite spots in Seattle.

What makes a potato chip a chip, and how is it different from a crisp? What are some of the best potato chips you can buy from your local chain supermarket? This month, we dive deep into the bottom of multiple bags of potato chips to find our answers. Melie Ros (she/her, they/them) joins us on this episode, in which we taste test each person’s favorite potato chip, muse over the chip’s true nature, and indulge in every loud and delicious *crrrooonnnchhh* possible.

SPAAC SNACC now comes with Banchan! – a new minisoda series where we provide commentary on the drama in social media food discourse and dig deeper into conversations on food, identity, and social justice. We will also be using this space to share news on the food scene in Seattle, where we're based. 

This inaugural episode is a special double feature. In the first segment, Pauline and Christina talk about the Twitter storm that brewed over Hainan Chicken Rice,  and bid sad farewells to a beloved restaurant in Capitol Hill before dishing on some newcomers to the International District. Jenny and Thomas round off the episode with a thoughtful, reflective segment on voting and the elections that are happening as we speak. 



Post-show notes: 
Suika lives on at both Tamari Bar and Rondo, which are in Capitol Hill 3
The other Korean dessert place that Christina mentions is Kakigori Dessert Cafe, which is located in the Central District.
Another Korean place in the International District is a corn dog place! ChungChun Rice Hot Dog has some fun and nostalgic flavors.

Echoing the gravity of our times, SPAAC SNACC takes a deep dive into what we’re eating and what’s eating us in this episode. We discuss consumerism, the possibility for a theology of food, and how what we consume in the media reflects our desires, fears, and thoughts about ourselves in relation to the divine.

How do you take care of yourself in a pandemic? Special guest and SPAAC mod Tim brought their thoughts about self-care, which includes food and more food. We ponder how food relates to our self-care and also ask other very serious questions like: "Is pooping self-care?" “Is food just pre-poop?” "Could we have talked any more about healthy bowel movements?" (But really, we care about your gut health. Probiotics are awesome!)

Note: We are still working out some audio difficulties, so we recommend listening with speakers instead of headphones, if possible!